CONTAINS SPOILERS
Woah! Despite my best feminist self, I feel a tiddly bit cheated.
I’ll dive straight in.
Lord Babington woos Esther with a carriage drive. She takes the reins and has a right old laugh. That’s more like it!
Georgiana warns Charlotte not to believe a word Sid says.
“Oh, give over,” we hear from the back row. “That Sid’s a lovely boy, and he’s promised to be good from now on.” What could possibly go wrong?
So they all go to the ball. It’s wall to wall chandeliers and mirrors. Char is decked out in silver. Lovely Mary Parker is pure Top Shop Christmas Party glitter. Georgiana tips up and gleefully leaps about with Arthur, much to the chagrin of his sister Diana, who fears she will be ending her days alone. “No!” says Arthur afterwards, “I’m not the marrying kind. Don’t understand how ladies work.” Say no more.
Dishevelled psycho Edward puts in an appearance, shouting at Esther about love, but she spurns him. The Esther/Lord Babs alliance looks pretty solid. Tick that one off.
What about the other one? Ummmm. Just as Sid is about to pop the question on the balcony, the scene of Sid’s earlier horrid horridness, a catastrophe befalls, well, just about everyone. Stringer’s grumpy dad, annoyed that his son has been given an opportunity in London Town, collapses with a fatal heart attack and while falling to the ground knocks a naked flame, starting a devastating fire and putting paid to nearly all Tom Parker’s luxury seaside apartments.
Stringer is heartbroken about Pa, yeah yeah, but that’s nothing compared to Tom Parker. He’s ruined, I tell you, and facing debtor’s prison. I would be tempted to say, “So what? That’s life, buster!” but Sid, dear dear boy, thinks otherwise and gallantly goes off to raise funds to save his brother. I know I mentioned it earlier, but bear in mind that The Brothers was Jane Austen’s original title for the work. Fam and all that.

And so it turns out. Sid returns with good news for Tom and bad news for Char. He’s only gone and pimped himself out to the odious ex Eliza and her massive coffers and permitted himself to become engaged. No wedding bells for Char. And probably a life dissipating his sorrows in the bars and bagnios of Covent Garden for Sid.
I had a lump in my throat when Char boarded the coach for home. Everyone knows the sorrow of a broken romance. But with literally two minutes for Sid to put everything right I knew that was that, get over it. Our man did gallop up to the carriage but only to plead with Char not to hate him (that is so mannish!). She was big enough to lie and say nooooo, everything’s fine, on you go, mate.
Historical context
Statement: I accept historical accuracy isn’t really the point of the series.
Full marks for the fire machines. Gawd, but they were useless, though.
3/10 for Char’s hair and that’s only because she had a reasonable do for the ball and she wore a bonnet (not to the ball).
Nudity quotient
Not much apart from Lord and Lady Babington in bed. Shoulders only. We wouldn’t want to intrude on their precious bond, though, would we.
Predictions
Series 2.
I reviewed Episode 1 of Andrew Davies’ Sanditon (ITV) for the Historical Writers’ Association.
Read my recap of Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6 and Episode 7.
Thank you so much for the reviews, I’ve enjoyed reading them along with your analysis of each episode. I’m in the states, so was watching Sanditon on Dailymotion, it’ll be here in January 2020. Here’s where we are in the states: Poldark S05E03, (I’ve already watched all of those too.) Do you think that Sanditon should have been only 6 episodes, and then maybe a Christmas special where Charlotte and Sid did get together? That might have been better.
Christmas Special… intriguing idea.
I haven’t watched Poldark but am seriously considering it if it is as much silly fun as Sanditon has been.
Poldark is fantastic! You must give that a watch. Xxxx
In these horrid Brexit days one could do with a bit of fictional optimism. Enjoyed the first 7 episodes and loved your blog. Feeling rather bereft.
The ending was a punch in the tummy for many but for me , my one and only surprise throughout this series was Arthur solid narrative he was a bachelor and don’t know how woman worked. I wanted him and Georgina plus the sister to live together in a large house, whilst enjoying the financial fruits of her inheritance from age 21. It can still happen. Nothing else surprised me with the ending with Andrew Davies at the realm. ITV would be folish not to commission Series 2.
I did love watching, despite it being rather hilarious.
After screaming “WTF?!?!!?!” repeatedly when the odious credits leapt to the screen (I had not been checking the time), an article in the Radio Times alerted me to the fact that the writer, Andrew Davies, had been hoping to do a second series all along, and intentionally made the ending of this series terrible in order to force the hand of ITV into making said second series. However, he is making as big a gamble as Tom was. Will the viewers be willing to wait around for a second series to be produced after having been slapped in the face by that ending? Will ITV be willing to take that risk? Especially when, I believe, all the loose ends could be tied up in one meaty Christmas episode. The solution is really quite simple. Look at the way Georgiana smiles when she meets Arthur at the ball. It is quite different from her reaction in the previous episode when he rescues her from the boring ministrations of the creepy vicar. Arthur said that he was a confirmed bachelor, but the mere fact that he said it set him up to be proven wrong. So, quite simply, Arthur marries Georgiana, he acquires all her wealth, that rescues Sanditon, Sydney can ditch Eliza in the same way that she ditched him years ago, thus having his revenge and giving us some poetic justice. Then of course he is free to go galloping off to Charlotte’s home and fall on his knees and beg her forgiveness. And of course she can forgive him because she is a nice wee lass, and now she feels closer to Sydney than ever because she can understand how he felt when he got jilted. I hope he does get a few good slaps in the face along the way, however, because it wasn’t just his own happiness that he threw away to rescue his brother, it was Charlotte’s as well, which he didn’t really have the right to do. I am relying on Georgiana to give him those slaps in the face with her ready tongue. In fact I would like to see her end up being real heroine by coming up with this solution herself. Really, she should be a bit more grateful to Sydney for rescuing her from marrying Otis the gambler, rather than continuing to despise him as she does. Sydney has plenty of faults, but Georgiana attributes more to him than is merited.
Oh, and let us not forget that someone has to convince young Stringer to take up that post in London. His dreams need to be fulfilled at the end of the day as well. Or at least some of them. Perhaps Charlotte can bring him a cute little sister to marry.
Not sure I agree about Arthur. It was pretty clear to me he was saying he is gay or possibly not at all interested in sex (although he perked up at the idea of therapy for his *glands*).
If Series 2 transpires I would definitely like to see more of Georgiana. I feel cheated of her back story. Who was the father who entrusted her to Sid? And why?
She clearly still holds a candle for Otis despite everything.
Thank you for all your delightful reviews, Naomi – they have been a joy to read on dreary Monday mornings. I was hoping against hope that Lady Worcester would arrive at the last minute and bail Tom out, leaving Sid free to marry her new best friend. What happened to Lady W. anyway? I thought she was going to bring the Prince Regent?! But perhaps Andrew Davies is saving that for Series 2. As long as Sid and Eliza are not actually married yet, there is still hope for Char.
Yes, where was that Lady Worcester? But you can’t trust the ton. All mouth, no trousers, so to speak.
It all ended very straggly didn’t it?… like they were running out of film in the last ten minutes and trying to get in as much as they could before “knocking off time”. If the story is to be taken to the next level in true Austen fashion (as we all know this is not genuine Austen) then some obstacle will have to be put in the way of Sidney and Eliza walking up the aisle; Sidney would be “used” goods if this were to happen. And that would not do.
Maybe Tom collapses from work exhaustion and Sid is called in to help out before he ties the knot….and Charlotte is asked back because she is actually the one with the brains when all said and done (unbeknownst to her that Sid is there). Sid could do some good deed in front of Georgiana to show he is not such a bad guy (which he isn’t…he is just too goddam honourable!) which sways her to hand over some of that lovely nosh she has in the bottom of her handbag to save ship Parker from sinking. Hey presto… cue wedding bells… and they all live happily ever after… Oh Stringer (poor chap)… takes up the post in London.
TA DAAA!?
A few loose ends that need tidying up though:
The Arthur/Diana relationship is very odd… what was their purpose in the story anyhow?
Lady Worcester… where’d she go??
Charlotte’s family only featured in episode one… where’d they go?
Georgiana’s story just ended abruptly.
It’s rather like wearing one shoe and hopping along until you find the other.
I had been hating myself for continuing to watch this series, in spite of it playing to every single possible cliché and glaringly obvious plot ‘twist’. Your reviews kept me from giving up; it assuaged my conscience knowing that someone with your depth of knowledge and appreciation of Austen was able to laugh at and enjoy the silliness of it all. Last night felt like a well-deserved slap in the face for not having given up after episode 1!
My only possible explanation for last night’s finale is that it was Davies’ revenge on anyone stupid enough to stick with the increasing ridiculousness of the script – or maybe on Charlotte herself for having allowed herself to become a comically two-dimensional anachronistic super woman. She runs! She plays cricket! She rescues! She doctors! She project manages! She wins at society! I was getting thoroughly sick of her and was screaming at the TV last night when her latest undiscovered skill set turned out to be impromptu captaining of the fire fighters.
Ah well, lesson learned. At least Esther got her happy ending – she and Babington were the only two characters I didn’t absolutely hate by the end.
p.s. while I do like Wendy’s alternative plot much better than the ITV one, I think there may be something called a breach of promise suit that would scupper Stanley’s plan. Also, pretty sure Miss Lamb wouldn’t be that happy married to someone who just outed themselves to their weird sister.
Hi Yoyo – Char does seem somewhat over-qualified for the job. I would like to see a proper meltdown, say after she and Sid break up and when she has menstrual cramps, throws things at the maid and is snide to one of Tom’s perfecto kids. I bet every other girl at school hated her for getting good marks and being too nice to everyone.
I found the plot ridiculous, except ironically enough for the bit where Sid gets engaged to awful Eliza for her money. A Georgian marriage contract was often very unromantic.
The ending was not a bit Jane Austen. But I had more or less ceased caring about that by then.
Exactly right!!
So, yoyo, you’re saying a female can’t play and enjoy sports, can’t run, can’t help others, can’t provide medical attention (it’s about all females do especially mothers, care for others AND project manage, if it wasn’t for females there wouldn’t be “society”) and that makes her a two-dimensional character? Regardless, this series is from the mind of a male not Jane Austen. Your comment sounds like petty, angry and jealous; it’s fiction yoyo!!!!!!!!!
I can’t speak for Yoyo, obviously, but for me Char was just a little too perfect to be a properly three-dimensional. But before the series went out, Andrew Davies said it would be a little like Love Island, which probably tells us all we need to know. As you say, *not real life*. https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/sanditon-on-itv-writer-andrew-davies-says-new-jane-austen-adaptation-is-like-love-island-a4213891.html
I have had such fun reading your reviews. Thanks Naomi!
So glad you like! So fun to write!
I think Mr Stringer would be much more suitable for Charlotte, so here’s a plot: Sid’s new wife dies and he returns to Sanditon to ask for Charlotte’s hand. She turns him down and marries Mr Stringer instead. Ha!
You and I think on the same morbid lines, obviously, Rick. I too imagined the death of Eliza in childbirth (statistically very feasible – not sure that is a very scientific way of looking at maternal mortality but hey). Part of me wants Char to turn down Mr Stringer as well and instead spend her life happily breeding hounds and tending her garden. Or writing quietly biting novels…
Yes, early death was a reality in those days, so no implausibility
October 14, 2019
Dear Naomi,
I am writing this note to you from California.
I have been watching this on daily motion because it is not showing here in the US yet!
I am an admirer of Jane Austen novels and I have read and watched all of them Emma, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Sense ans Sensibility.
I wished all the fans of this show could get together and write to Andrew Davies to get this right because it is an insult to Jane Austen since all her novels had a happy ending.
Anyway, I am glad that you gave your thoughts on this matter in this article.
Thank you for that.
Sincerely,
Dia
Well that blew the cat amongst the pigeons! Wasn’t expecting that ending…. And when I saw the carriage stop and our man galloping back to Char, I thought well done you. But, he had to spoil it and in typical manly fashion it was all about him and himself. I am not prone to tears, but I did shed a tear or two for young Char to have to face going home, alone with her thoughts and having to share her raw emotions with her siblings – perhaps not.
The acting has been brilliant and I’ll wager young Rose Williams will go far – very promising. Theo James has made his cut and I thought equally was excellent. I cannot fathom why Andrew Davies dreamed of such a terrible ending? Bailing stupid Tom out of another crisis could have fallen on several avenues; what happened to Lady Worcester (was her introduction to be saved for another series?); Arthur’s interest in Georgiana; not convinced that Arthur is not interested in marriage – doesn’t run true with actions/interest towards Georgiana – I fear he has a genuine interest.
I agree about Arthur and Georgiana. And then Arthur and Georgiana after they’re married agree to use her money to build Sanditon. Charlotte matures and realizes that kind Mr. Stringer is much better husband material than that moody control freak Sid. Add Esther and Babbington, and it should end with three happy couples.
One thing I did like, though, is that by ending it this way Char has been taught a valuable life lesson – that major decisions are all in the gift of the man. She can’t offer to marry Sid. Although she knows her own mind (taking herself off to London etc), in the great scheme of things she is essentially passive. Perhaps if there is a Series 2, we will see a more pro-active, confident Charlotte. I would hate to see her depressed and languishing, waiting for Sid or someone else to shine a light on her. I get the impression that a relationship with Stringer would be more healthy in that respect. Sid, as you say, would make it all about him.
Agree with alot of comments. Enjoyed the series more each time until episode 8. Then everything went pear shaped. Brother Tom totally useless at anything including profitable business being a husband, filing!!! etc. Bad sportsman (leg before wicket)and all about himself. Did Mary know Sid was again going to produce money for rebuilding. Sid had no need to marry to bail Tom out unless he too was in debt. Think as Tom so useless at running a business would lose everything again. Where did all the smouldering passion for Chat go? Arthur very odd relationship with silly sister..is she not intetested in men? Georgie spoilt brat still only thinks of herself. Yes Lady Susan was great the little we saw of her. Only good thing Esther married (although she didn’t love him) Lord B who was the best of all the men as he loved unconditionally. These two really were the best thing in Episode 8. Very disjointed and disappointing. Too many loose ends, maybe script writers had something else on their minds.
I have to say I enjoyed this until episode 8. Sunday night viewing I expect to relax and get away from hearing about violence and the MPs slugging it out in Westminster etc. I have seen some posts that say Rose did not play a convincing part compared to Jennifer as Lizzie Bennett. All the actors who played Elizabeth were far too old for the part anyway. To me the characters grew more rounded and interesting in each episode. Lady D was excellent. Sidney smouldered especially in the dance scene at the first ball. Couldnt really understand why he had to go off and engage himself to his ex in order to save Tom ( a totally unfit man to run a business, remember he couldn’t even sort his bills never mind pay them) unless he was in debt as well. He had already loaned him £3000. Tom still had his house and carriage plus servants. He was living way beyond his means and all his family were running round him. Then we see him saying ‘Sanditon will rise from the ashes’ as though he had provided the means to do it.
Young Stringer wasn’t an Architect but works foreman who could draw. Was going to London to train for several years. Charlotte was higher up the social scale her father owned a small estate and she spoke without an accent therefore marrying Stringer from the 2 room type cottage would not have been a good idea in those days. No, would have preferred her to go up in the world with Sidney and help him be his ‘ true self.’ Esther came off best with the totally true gent Lord B. ‘I just want to make you happy’ Ahhh . Bring on a special episode please to tie up all the loose ends.
Thank goodness I’ve found some reactions. I have sent a furious little e-mail to ITV. Jane Austen never ever let us down. I wept for Charlotte. Episode 7 was so promising. I cannot tell you what I have called Andrew Davies. Like one of your correspondents, I was thinking that a Christmas special might sort it out, but I think perhaps a four part mini series would do. Now, whatever happens, Charlotte and Sid find one another within two years. We have no idea about Lady Susan’s reaction and we didn’t see the farewell between Charlotte and Georgiana. Lady Susan’s friend might not be Prinny, but a very rich developer, and money might be found. Sidney is a Jane Austen hero. The whole thing has been crass in so many ways, including the way in which AD ended it. (Yes, of course it’s been lovely, too.) Please don’t buy the ITV book of the series unless they promise to sort it, credibly. I have thought that perhaps within about two months of C going home Lady S will come to find her and sort things, and Sidney will never get as far as the altar with Eliza. Someone has already suggested that he can jilt her this time. I don’t think C should marry nice Mr. Stringer. He will get on. If the worst comes to the worst and Sidney does marry Eliza I hope that she will find him nothing like as exciting as he was when he was younger. I also have thought of a death in childbirth but that is a bit corny and convenient, so I think she slightly begins to stray with an exciting upper-class fast driver and he tips a carriage over and breaks her neck. Sid will slink a little bit and come back and admit that he hasn’t been happy. Charlotte will speak in a fairly straight way to him, Lady S and Georgiana and Mary and Babbers already having given him it in the neck, and after a suitably respectful time he will ask Charlotte to marry him. Tell Andrew Davies we don’t need them naked in bed, but kisses are well ok. Now, I think Clara Brereton will come back to say that she’s expecting a Denham child, so how are we going to sort that one out? Where does Miss Lambe’s fortune come from – Slavery??
Caroline, very good point about Clara. Surely if the series is to go on they must include the deliciously evil Clara and Edward somehow. Clara pregnant is a great idea. I think Lady Denham wouldn’t care, but Esther might…
There are three things we are seeking that are sometimes not compatible:
1. Historical accuracy
2. Things to be realistic
3. Things to happen the way we think they ought/in a way that we think would be good.
Sid’s engagement to Eliza is historically accurate, but it sucks. Char’s cricket playing is historically inaccurate but shows female forthrightness, which we like, and it is realistic for a woman to be capable of all the talents she spontaneously exhibits, but it is historically inaccurate for her to demonstrate them all publicly, so we feel conflicted about it. Char being in love with the moody heartthrob who treats her badly instead of the emotionally stable and kind Stringer is not how we think things ought to be, but it is historically accurate because of his class and realistic because let’s face it, is love based on deservingness? How many people do we know who are hopelessly in love with idiots, and how many wonderful people do we know who seem to be hopelessly single? And of course what Jane Austen herself wrote about her own time was not 100% historically accurate because it wouldn’t get published if it included anything dodgy. So while affairs like Edward and Clara’s most likely did happen, they would never have appeared in Austen’s novels. So are we trying for historical accuracy, Austen-accuracy, or some guess at the way Austen would have written had she lived today and had more freedom? Bottom line: no interpretation of Sanditon is going to tick all these boxes. Andrew Davies seems to be dipping into each of them rather than committing to one of them. Nothing he does will satisfy everyone.
However, with this ending he seems to have succeeded in angering almost everyone. A nearly unanimous reaction – bravo?
Tom does not deserve to be bailed out, it is true. But he has a wife and kids, and they don’t deserve to suffer. £80,000 debt is quoted, that would be a lot even today, and there would be the scandal on top of the actual punishment. Still, I’m not content with the speed with which Sid comes to the conclusion that the ONLY solution is for him to sell himself to Eliza. Is it not just over a week he is seeking a solution? And what is Tom doing during that week? Arthur? We hear that when Sid was in the dumps years ago, Tom bailed him out. Fab. But currently Tom seems pretty useless at even attempting to sort out anything. Is Sid really the only family member who has enough brain to even seek a solution? Overall, it seems this crazy turn was almost an inverse deus ex machina to force a disastrous ending and demand a sequel. Although pimping oneself out in this fashion may be historically accurate, in this circumstance it didn’t feel realistic.
P.S. I don’t think Arthur will turn out to be gay. Besides my shipping him and Georgiana, having the “plump and somewhat ridiculous” character turn out to be THE gay representation is not exactly going to win any brownie points. Best leave it alone, they are floundering enough in their attempts to tick all the boxes in addressing racism.
Yes, I strongly hope this story will be resolved, whether in a second series, a mini series or a Christmas special. But I felt even Downton Abbey went a bit downhill after series 2, so I hope they don’t press their luck trying to stretch it out. Much as I have enjoyed Sanditon, it’s no Downton.
I don’t know how we know that girls in the countryside, who had younger brothers, didn’t play cricket. I don’t think Char played for Willingden United but she had lots of brothers and sisters so I think she knew how to bat and bowl and field. I loved the bit when Sid came up the wicket to tell her what to do, and she told him she already knew, and then again, when she said that she had to concentrate and would he get out of the way. That bit was truly funny as opposed to the limp balls jokes, which were cringeworthy.
Further to my post above, on the first page of “Northanger Abbey” Jane Austen says that Catherine Morland preferred cricket to several other childhood games. I didn’t look for that on purpose but I came across it as a result of looking at a dvd of N. A. and hearing the first words! I have been to see the new “Emma” this week and the debacle that was Sanditon is healed and sinking into the background, I’m glad to say.
Well I have been following these comments on here and I AM A SANDITON ADMIRER.
We must not forget Jane Austen did not get to finish her last book due to becoming very poorley and dying before she was able to finish writing Sanditon.
Now the ammount of dribble on TV these days well enough said. I found this to be such a beautiful experience of life as it was back then.My parents used to wear these clothes My father always told us of his Top hats ( RIP mum dad and Gran). If my Father was alive he would have loved this as much as he and I loved Pride and Prejudice. I have ordered the book that accompanies the series in this book you can really gauge how it was in those days and how the people acted and it is all true of the age.
the writer Mr Andrew Davis covered each aspect very well indeed and has left much room for a second series for I hope it will be. This sanditon book is avaliable to buy now and is worth every penny. I bought this book for a friend of mine who is also appreciates a good Period drama and he is much older than I and remembers alot of life from that time,and that fire engine that we saw was the first fire engine to be used on the job. Regardless of whether trowels were used for sanditon and perhaps it was the only tool they could find and I say nevermind that, they did great.!! Thankyou to all the actors and actresses and my thanks gos out to the whole crew for giving us sanditon long may it reign !!.
Thanks for your comment, sanditonlove. I too loved it but mainly as a romp (as I think many did), a bit of fantasy. For me, many aspects of it were not very Austen but perhaps that was not the point in the end. At times it felt a little crudely done, and I can understand why some viewers felt cheated at the end (indeed, as I did) as things did not resolve in the way that Austen would probably have done. I wonder how the viewing figures went as this will play a big part in whether there are more episodes…
Love Sanditon. And all the actors. Loved the medieval dancing and music. The beautiful use of the English language. The manners. Today’s society is crass by comparison. I really hope there is a series 2. Love Theo James as the brooding flawed hero
Sadly ITV have announced that there will not be a sequel. We’ll all have to make up our own endings.
How do I get in touch with ITV to really request 2nd series as I can’t come to terms with the ending
Hi Kerry – You can call ITV on their customer service line: 0344 881 4150. More info here: https://www.itv.com/contactus
I just binge-watched this series and the whole time wished I’d been watching with a friend (and possibly a drink) to better poke fun at, and have fun with, the over-the-top silliness of this show. I’m glad I was able to find your recaps, which are the next best thing. 🙂 Though I can totally understand why a lot of people didn’t like this show and/or are even upset at it, and objectively it’s something of a (delightful) hot mess, still I loved it warts and all and maybe even more for the warts. I almost feel like it should’ve pushed the envelope further and been an outright self-aware parody of Austen-type (and general historical-romance-type) characters, because it was reeeeeeally toeing the line.
I think the actors across the board did a great job elevating and enlivening a rather uneven script. I’m not sure I was ever completely sold on Charlotte and Sidney’s chemistry as characters (and mind you, I’m the sort who’s usually a sucker for the “dickish hero who becomes less dickish… eventually” trope but this was a pretty sloppy pass at it), but their actors definitely had great chemistry and were suitably adorable and smoldering respectively.
But… I feel like there was such a missed opportunity here! Instead of faking subversion with a cliffhanger that’s not really flipping convention so much as baiting for a second season where they’ll most likely just revert to convention, it could’ve been soooo much more interesting if they’d had the balls to commit fully to an unhappy ending for this relationship. I am all in for heartbreak when it’s earned. And had this twist been woven into the narrative better, rather than just slapped on, it could’ve elevated Charlotte/Sidney from being just another retread of the Elizabeth/Darcy dynamic to being its own thing, and it could’ve actually put a point on the recurring plot motifs of idealistic love versus mercantile practicality, and this could’ve been the story of Charlotte learning and growing through pain as well as wonder. But here, I feel very little (ok fine, fine, Charlotte crying did get to me but that’s largely a credit to the actor and not the script) because it only feels like another soap opera gimmick to stall between seasons. It’s not the unhappy ending that bugs me, it’s that it feels artificial.
Likewise, with Georgiana – soooo many missed opportunities! I was impressed that they took the effort to discuss slavery and Georgiana’s fascinating predicament of simultaneously being privileged and alienated and exploited (something most period dramas, and most historical romance in general, don’t dare attempt), but just when this was getting interesting they pretty much just stalled her arc and her character development. What is Georgiana’s relationship to her father – hell, what about her mother? I mean forget the pseudo-incest, knowing your mother was your father’s slave and all the associated ramifications of that, while living in the luxury of a lifestyle built upon slavery, and having half your bloodline belonging to the oppressed and half to the oppressors – now that’s some real pathos to explore.
If we do get a second season I’m mainly hoping Georgiana gets some more development… and some kind of legit ambition in life besides waiting around for someone to make her happy. Two years isn’t even that long to wait for freedom and fortune – especially considering how huge her particular fortune is! – so she ought to think about what she wants to do with the power that will soon belong to her. I really want her to put her money behind the anti-slavery movement.
And I want poor Mr. Stringer to have a happy ending.
And… oh, ok, fine, I’ll still cheer and be pleased and all when whatever ridiculous deus ex machina plot contortions contrive to get Sidney and Charlotte together after all despite everything. I will roll my eyes a lot beforehand, but I’ll be pleased.
I think you are so right about an uneven script. I always wonder how much actors and actresses just obey and say the words given, and how many are “difficult” and tell the director and writer that they don’t think the character would say something they’re supposed to trot out, and improve on it.
Surprised that Theo James (Sidney) as Executive Producer went ahead with such an ending. But got the impression he may be reluctant to do a Series 2 (Telegraph). We do need original hero/heroine to continue (i.e, full cast) and I’ll wager a mini series or Christmas Special should do this. So here’s hoping that Theo James goes ahead with Rose Williams in a Series 2.
Watched it over and over again – wonderful acting..
Just binge watched Sanditon and now totally obsessed. Love this blog and the comments. As a Jane Austen and Regency History fan I was devastated by the ending- authentic Regency but not authentic Austen. Yes I suspended belief about many inaccuracies and inconsistencies.
My thoughts – the acting of Theo James and Rose Williams made the relationship totally believable and they have to end up together, otherwise it’s not Austen.
Also my thoughts regarding series 2. Sid gets called back to Antigua urgently. Maybe takes Georgiana with him. Thus we see development of the West Indies back story and Sid is conveniently removed before the wedding. Evil Eliza left in London to kick her heels. Lady S gets involved and suggests to Eliza that she married for money first time around and shouldn’t she go for a title second time? Cue Edward Denham is brought on. He charms Eliza and points out if she marries Sid all the money will go on Sanditon. Marry him and she gets a title and they can go to Europe and have fun. Eliza jilts Sid for the second time. Meanwhile Lady S is helping with investment in Sanditon. (Char could probably have sorted this with Susan in series 1 but never mind that). Which paves the way for our hero and heroine to make up. Maybe being jilted will make Char feel sorry and forgive him.
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one making up sequels. Naomi said she’d write her own, I think, after episode 5. I have imagined 2 or 3. Sid dies soon in one of mine, although I’d like him not to. Thank you for yours, Kate. Eliza is never going to be sound. She’s not going to be happy with Sid, as neither can step into the same river.
Sid can’t die. It’s an Austen Regency romance not a Victorian melodrama
Well, I kept thinking of different ways of eliminating Eliza and then Eviedee says Theo James sounds not so keen on more. I think all members of the cast should realise that they have a strong duty to the viewing public to be available for the follow-up.
Well I can’t understand why we are not going to go back to killing off Lady Denham a little unexpectedly (and quickly) and then giving her large fortune – via a new will – to Sanditon – perhaps with Lord B as the Executor of the Will – because by now presumably no one could trust Tom with such things – and of course Mr Stringer rising to fame as builder/ architect.. and perhaps meeting and marrying one of Char’s sisters ..
Then Sid can jilt Eliza (and his real life chick – so hopefully not too awkward at home! which may account for Theo’s reluctance for Series 2 – just saying..) in order to propose and have a very simple country wedding with Char – perhaps with a little less distracting shortness of breath.. Of course that jilting will probably happen at the altar in Sanditon because sadly we do tend to descend to these cheaper theatrics and we have that church set already and a Sanditon wedding would bring the ton and money to Sanditon.. and Sid can do the breaking off after some soul searching inspired by Lady Susan..
Otis can also return as a reformed man in a Austenesque transformation and give Georgina the opportunity to show some character as she chooses her future.. between Otis and Arthur – with Georgina getting support from Char who will manage Sid – as always!
And then Arthur can have a broken heart and run off somewhere for a decade – America? – to make his fortune.. makingeth the man.. probably without his sister who can stay in Sanditon for the inevitable visit by the Regent – who will have to arrive sans Lady S – perhaps the day after her return visit to Sanditon to save Sid – when the Regent apparently through Lord B (but we know the real story that got the Regent there!) can officially Charter the town and admire Mr Stinger’s work/ buildings etc..
So that just leaves Ed – who can perhaps take a crack at comforting Eliza for a time in London and then accidentally bump into Clara in London – and they can smile carefully at one another..
Yes – no need for Andrew to write season 2.. we have our own alternatives.. sadly with less costumes..
Same post with some additional script notes:
Well I can’t understand why we are not going to go back to killing off Lady Denham a little unexpectedly (and quickly) and then giving her large fortune – via a new will – to Sanditon – perhaps with Lord B as the Executor of the Will – because by now presumably no one could trust Tom with such things – and of course Mr Stringer rising to fame as builder/ architect.. and perhaps meeting and marrying one of Char’s sisters ..
Of course this could occur after Georgina offers to bail out Sanditon and Sid – and some conversations that start Georgina down a path that might mean Sid is only half bad..
Then Sid can jilt Eliza (and his real life chick – so hopefully not too awkward at home! which may account for Theo’s reluctance for Series 2 – just saying..) in order to propose and have a very simple country wedding with Char – perhaps with a little less distracting shortness of breath.. Of course that jilting will probably happen at the altar in Sanditon because sadly we do tend to descend to these cheaper theatrics and we have that church set already and a Sanditon wedding would bring the ton and money to Sanditon.. perhaps Sid can do the breaking off after some soul searching inspired by Lady Susan..
Otis can also return as a reformed man – maybe after being found by Sid – in a Austenesque character transformation and give Georgina the opportunity to show some character as she chooses her future.. between Otis and Arthur – with Georgina getting support from Char, who will manage Sid – as always!
And then Arthur can have a broken heart and run off somewhere for a decade – America? – to make his fortune.. makingeth the man.. probably without his sister who can stay in Sanditon for the longed for visit by the Regent – who will have to arrive sans Lady S – perhaps the day after her return visit to Sanditon to save Sid – when the Regent apparently through Lord B (but we know the real story that got the Regent there!) can officially Charter the town and admire Mr Stinger’s work/ buildings etc..
So that just leaves Ed – who can perhaps take a crack at comforting Eliza for a time in London and then accidentally bump into Clara in London – and they can smile carefully at one another..
Of course the inevitable question will arise as to who moves into Lady Denham’s palatial home – leaving lots of opportunities for a Netherfieldesque tenant I suppose..
Yes, that should create 8 new episodes quite nicely – so no need for Andrew to write season 2.. we have our own alternatives.. sadly with less costumes..
I hope they make Series 2 as I loved the series but hate the ending
The character of Esther was the most developmental, beginning as a nasty woman, manipulated by the dastardly Edward, and then being witty and no-nonsense in her communications with Lord Babbington. I’m glad she had a happy ending.
I had a thought that before Sid’s wedding to Eliza, Lady Susan comes to see where her girl has gone, (she has encountered S in London by now), and she gets together with Georgiana. Lady S knows a sound developer who is willing to put up half the money as long as it is in the hands of Charlotte, by a legal agreement, and G wants to give the other half, £40,000, to her friend Char but of course, needs her guardian’s consent, thereby putting our Sidney on the spot. I have ceased to think sensibly about it, which I did at the start, and I would like to say that I enjoy reading everyone’s ideas. I suppose Andrew Davies could congratulate himself on setting so many people abuzz, but he shouldn’t. I’ve read a continuation by a lady called Juliette Shapiro, and quite a few of the ideas which Andrew Davies used were in her writing.
I sincerely hope the info Caroline has advised about another writer & Andrew listens to her & there is a series 2 as I can’t deal with the ending & can’t stop thinking about. I am a mess because I love Jane Austin & she would not like what is happening. I tried using Email but it didn’t work so as I live in Australia I am going to write old school in a letter
Well, more than two years on Sid has died. Actually I don’t think he has but Charlotte mustn’t ever go back to him even if he is alive because she’s found Mr. Right, who is going to care for her much better than Sidney ever did, after a few obstacles are overcome, in a proper Jane Austen way. Mr. Davies got the message. I hope he lost pots of money over the nonsense of Series One.