After a difficult start, Sanditon has improved a lot. **Note: If you haven't seen the second season yet, this review may contain spoilers.**
The first episode takes some getting used to. This is often the case with television series. It takes some time after the conclusion of the first season before the second season starts. It is often used to reacquaint with the characters that were already there. In addition, this season of Sanditon also has a number of new characters. Important characters that take time to get to know. For those who think that the love story between Sidney and Charlotte (Rose Williams, Reign (2013)) will take center stage again, there is a disappointing message. That relationship is literally killed right away in the first scene.
Maybe it's the shock of that mentioned event, but the first episode takes a bit more effort than usual to get into it (again). Then the series ignites as usual with love affairs, manipulation, old-fashioned etiquette, light humor, fantastic clothing and beautiful imagery. In just six episodes, the story delivers everything you can expect from a British costume drama. It is clear that the influence of Jane Austen has now been reduced to a minimum. The feminism card is played less. That is not to say that there are no strong women left.
Then the series ignites as usual with love affairs, manipulation, old-fashioned etiquette, light humor, fantastic clothing and beautiful imagery.
One of those women is the wealthy, and partly because of this, independent Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke, Roadkill (2020)). Her (lack of) love life is one of the most important stories. She finds men annoying. However, it soon becomes clear that there is someone who wants her attention. Of course, Charlotte will experience a lot again this season. She is joined by her sister Alison (Rosie Graham, Outlander). The latter finds her great love in an army officer who is temporarily housed in Sanditon. Of course that doesn't go without a hit or a hit.
In the (actually) surprising plot, the manipulation mainly comes from the family around lady Denham (Anne Reid, Last Tango In Halifax). Esther, Edward and Clara ensure that there is enough excitement and sensation again this season. The situation around Sanditon itself plays less of a role this season. The presence of the army is enough of a distraction. Colonel Lennox (Tom Weston-Jones, Dickensian) quickly usurps a place within Sanditon. It creates excitement and commotion.
It all looks fantastic again.
The second season lives up to all expectations. It all looks fantastic again. The mix between lightheartedness and excitement is nicely balanced. The most important new characters, including those I have not mentioned, give Sanditon new spirit. The third season has already been announced. Lovers of British costume drama have something to look forward to again.
About the writer, Karzal
Mike (1995) has been a member of MySeries since 2016 and is mainly active on the English version of the site. Since 2018, he has been actively translating news articles, columns, reviews and basically everything that ends up on the Dutch site. The original articles, columns and reviews were actually written by others. During the week Mike can be found at IKEA, where he is a national systems specialist and occasionally also in the classroom to teach an English lesson. In addition, Mike logically enjoys watching series and has actually been spoon-fed this from an early age. The genre doesn't matter, there is a place for everything in the otherwise busy life.
