Beautifully done. This 1983 special (and the 1985 special after it) have the subtlety and complexity one would expect of this show when depicting the transition from the world of war to a new and sometimes awkward peace. And for those who like Carol Drinkwater as Helen, the specials are the last two more episodes with her and she is delightful in both.
It's sad but realistic to see how much has changed and how difficult it is for James to go back to the "even temperament" he used to have, to quote Helen. Tristan is refreshing and in his element and there is the faintest trace of a new maturity in him though he still gets into escapade after escapade. It was nice to see Mrs Pumphrey and her gardener. And Mr Biggins! Carol Drinkwater in the second last episode she did for the series shines in her role- showing strength and an ability to center everything around her, her beauty growing with the passage of time. It was lovely to see James' father at the start of the episode- I don't remember him making an appearance before. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode- especially because I had been misled by the Britbox lineup (which places the two specials after Season 4 instead of after Season 3 where they belong) and watched this out of order. This is exactly the backstory we needed before launching into Season 4 as many will watching it now I imagine- because the sequencing is messed up on Britbox.
It's sad but realistic to see how much has changed and how difficult it is for James to go back to the "even temperament" he used to have, to quote Helen. Tristan is refreshing and in his element and there is the faintest trace of a new maturity in him though he still gets into escapade after escapade. It was nice to see Mrs Pumphrey and her gardener. And Mr Biggins! Carol Drinkwater in the second last episode she did for the series shines in her role- showing strength and an ability to center everything around her, her beauty growing with the passage of time. It was lovely to see James' father at the start of the episode- I don't remember him making an appearance before. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode- especially because I had been misled by the Britbox lineup (which places the two specials after Season 4 instead of after Season 3 where they belong) and watched this out of order. This is exactly the backstory we needed before launching into Season 4 as many will watching it now I imagine- because the sequencing is messed up on Britbox.