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Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)
Despite, in memory, finding the first episode horrible, I come to the second, mostly due to an unexpected spike in viewership, and strangely found myself sort of enjoying the episode.
Topic 1: Are The Kids Alright? (Teresa and Michael)
Needless to say, there are mixed feelings for Michael after the death of his dad. With the reveal he cheated on his mom he is upset, yet this is the man who raised him and has it in his will to speak at his funeral. As for Teresa, she seems largely indifferent. Perhaps because her mother keeps going on about her barely eating for a year.
Though what the parents don’t know is Teresa binges on sugary foods, and perhaps purges and Michael is quite affected by his father’s death. To the point, it seems to be causing him erectile dysfunction. However, considering what we learn later, maybe it was the girl more so than Michael.
Commentary
Michael’s teen angst still is something which gets on my nerves to the point I find myself tuning him out when he isn’t sharing a scene with Teresa. However, with Teresa, I find myself mildly interested in what is going on with her. For while her, “I’m different, can’t you tell?” persona does nothing for me, it’s mostly because it seems like she is on the wrong show. Making what perhaps would be authentic in another world seem like the actress, writers, makeup and wardrobe were trying too hard within this one.
Topic 2: Michael’s Final Wishes (Gina and Sam)
With his final wishes found and executed, Gina and Sam find themselves working closely with one another. Something very awkward due to recent events, but things are made worse as it seems Sam desires revenge still. For example, she learns Leo’s will leaves everything to her so now she wishes to sell all Leo has worked for. Which for Gina is a bit of a slap, for she helped Leo build all this, but the people of the town aren’t happy as well for bad enough they lost a renowned chef, but with her talking about selling the hotel he made famous means a huge economic impact. One which leads to a bit of badmouthing and calling Sam a gold digger from London.
Commentary
I feel like I’ve adapted to French not playing someone comical, yet unlike when many an American comedian goes dramatic and you are just in awe, I feel at most satisfaction. Though look at what she is working with here. Sam is the other woman who got cheated on with the woman whose husband she took. On top of that, the actress who plays Sam is just pretty. Not on the level of those we see on teen dramas, but she doesn’t have anything besides her beauty to hook you. Making it when she is angry or hurt, you feel that it is unfortunate but, in the long run, you honestly don’t care. Making me wish French had someone really good to play off of instead of the woman playing Sam.
Topic 3: A Few New Secrets (Sam, Gina, Michael, and Teresa)
It isn’t made clear what Michael and Teresa’s sibling relationship is, but it is made clear that Michael has some sort of feelings for his half-sister. Something seen with him having no issue picturing her naked and then him kissing her. A surprise on her part.
As for Sam and Gina, well it seems Sam’s revenge will be postponed. If only because all Leo left her was a mountain of debt and an appointment to speak to the authorities about some irregularities. Meanwhile, Gina gets the hotel. Thus giving the mistress all the pain and torture and the ex-wife what perhaps should have been rightfully hers.
Commentary
While this show seems like the type which could grow on you, it doesn’t make such a thing easy. This weird sibling relationship thing is making it harder to get into the show. Then with the whole Sam and Gina situation, with Gina getting the hotel, while I like the comeuppance, since Sam seems like a bit of an ass, it’s like all the drama on this show isn’t well planned out.
What I mean by that is, with this being a 40-minute program you’d think they would have built upon Sam wanting revenge on Leo by speaking on how she would destroy his legacy and this village which never liked her. Which she does speak on a little bit but again, between the writing and Sam’s actress, you only get the point and not the passion, the pain, and the desire to avenge yourself. Making it where Gina has to carry the load and while Dawn French is a good actress, she doesn’t seem capable of carrying the whole show. She can be a star, definitely handle a lead role, but I think she needs someone to go head to head with, to truly compliment her, in order to be at her best. Which, sometimes with Teresa, you see a glimmer of light but, in general, it is like she is a lantern in the darkness trying to find someone else who wants to actually put in some effort. That is, rather than each bit of conflict seem slapped together and everyone just doing the best with what they got.
Leading us back to this weird sibling situation. Honestly, to me, Teresa is interesting enough to give a damn about but Michael has nothing. He is handsome, could have any girl he wants, is wealthy, and thus he is boring. Heck, even erectile dysfunction became his thing, it wouldn’t have made him someone to care about. So, naturally they have him hitched onto Teresa and rather than her bring him up this storyline will likely bring her down. For similar to the whole “Surprise! He had an affair with his ex-wife and not all these beautiful women” it seems like another failed attempt for a shocking moment.
Collected Quote(s)
She always had a flexible relationship with the truth. If she didn’t like it, she simply ignored it.
— “Season 1/ Episode 2.” Delicious
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