I have not read the books so am presenting my impressions of the series as seen.
When recently-widowed Emmaline Lucas ('Lucia') and her somewhat effeminate friend Georgie Pilson rent Miss Elizaneth Mapp's house Mallards and nearby Mallard's Cottage (owned by Mrs Susan Wyse) for July and August, the effect upon the social life of Tilling's elite proves somewhat seismic.
Tilling society is dominated by Miss Mapp, not because she's the wealthiest (she isn't) but because of her determined personality; she is something of a 'shaker and mover'. Membership of the exclusive 'society' appears to be conferred by ownership of a reasonably substantial property and not by wealth alone.
Lucia's advent takes place at a particularly propitious time: Mapp's dominance has apparently lasted some time and some of the others are tired of being scolded by her; they are pleased to welcome somone new.
The main members of Tilling Society are -
Mr and Mrs Wyse - the wealthiest denizens of the village, Mr Wyse's sister is the Countess of Faraglione, so carries a faint cachet of aristocracy. Mrs Wyse has an MBE, obtained through charitable donations to the hospital (and quite possibly to a political party). They are generally too grand to get involved in the civilised brawling between the other members.
Elizabeth Mapp - Spinster of Tilling and possibly has the nicest house with 3/4 acre of gardens. A rather dowdy lady of about 50 but a forceful personality.
Major Benjy Flint. An Indian Army veteran with clipped military speech and a tendency to mix in Hindustani phrases and commands. Very fond of a few drinks. He is also quite fond of Miss Mapp.
Diva (Godiva) Plaistow - a somewhat plump widow who seems to be the closest Mapp has to a friend but can be sharp in speech from time to time. Perhaps tends to lean towards Mapp rather than Lucia, once Lucia's dominance is revealed and consists of evenings watching she and Georgie play piano duets with nothing substantial to eat.
'Quaint' Irene - An artist who lives in a house/studio lower in value than the others and appears to be of an unpredictable and non-conformist turn of mind. Paints naughty pics to rile the others, smokes a pipe and dresses in a non-feminine fashion. Is frequently very rude to Mapp, is devoted to Lucia and has become something of a Lesbian icon (as Georgie Pilson is a gay icon: however neither series nor books actually addresses any sexual issues at all.)
'Padre' - Rev Kenneth Batlett. Hails from Birmingham but has a very cut-glass accent when speaking seriously. Tall and dignified and quite properly doesn't side with either party. He is however very good-humoured and likes to affect a Scottish or Irish accent most of the time!
Lucia herself is tall, elegant and attractive (for her age) with a bewitching voice and manner. Wears some beautiful costumes throughout. She and Georgie pretend to speak fluent Italian, but don't. Georgie appears initially to be a rather vapid cypher interested only in bibelows and doilies, but in fact it is he who shows good sense and backbone when they are most needed.
The Production values are very high and this is presented in a bright colour pallete with very nice music and a humorous turn to all of the polite and mannered 'clashes' between the two protagonists. It's a pleasure to watch.
The best series is in my opinion the first, where the protagonists are fairly evenly matched.
In the second series, Lucia's far greater wealth makes the contest much more one-sided, though Lucia's occasional errors of judgement enable Mapp to claw back occasionally.
When recently-widowed Emmaline Lucas ('Lucia') and her somewhat effeminate friend Georgie Pilson rent Miss Elizaneth Mapp's house Mallards and nearby Mallard's Cottage (owned by Mrs Susan Wyse) for July and August, the effect upon the social life of Tilling's elite proves somewhat seismic.
Tilling society is dominated by Miss Mapp, not because she's the wealthiest (she isn't) but because of her determined personality; she is something of a 'shaker and mover'. Membership of the exclusive 'society' appears to be conferred by ownership of a reasonably substantial property and not by wealth alone.
Lucia's advent takes place at a particularly propitious time: Mapp's dominance has apparently lasted some time and some of the others are tired of being scolded by her; they are pleased to welcome somone new.
The main members of Tilling Society are -
Mr and Mrs Wyse - the wealthiest denizens of the village, Mr Wyse's sister is the Countess of Faraglione, so carries a faint cachet of aristocracy. Mrs Wyse has an MBE, obtained through charitable donations to the hospital (and quite possibly to a political party). They are generally too grand to get involved in the civilised brawling between the other members.
Elizabeth Mapp - Spinster of Tilling and possibly has the nicest house with 3/4 acre of gardens. A rather dowdy lady of about 50 but a forceful personality.
Major Benjy Flint. An Indian Army veteran with clipped military speech and a tendency to mix in Hindustani phrases and commands. Very fond of a few drinks. He is also quite fond of Miss Mapp.
Diva (Godiva) Plaistow - a somewhat plump widow who seems to be the closest Mapp has to a friend but can be sharp in speech from time to time. Perhaps tends to lean towards Mapp rather than Lucia, once Lucia's dominance is revealed and consists of evenings watching she and Georgie play piano duets with nothing substantial to eat.
'Quaint' Irene - An artist who lives in a house/studio lower in value than the others and appears to be of an unpredictable and non-conformist turn of mind. Paints naughty pics to rile the others, smokes a pipe and dresses in a non-feminine fashion. Is frequently very rude to Mapp, is devoted to Lucia and has become something of a Lesbian icon (as Georgie Pilson is a gay icon: however neither series nor books actually addresses any sexual issues at all.)
'Padre' - Rev Kenneth Batlett. Hails from Birmingham but has a very cut-glass accent when speaking seriously. Tall and dignified and quite properly doesn't side with either party. He is however very good-humoured and likes to affect a Scottish or Irish accent most of the time!
Lucia herself is tall, elegant and attractive (for her age) with a bewitching voice and manner. Wears some beautiful costumes throughout. She and Georgie pretend to speak fluent Italian, but don't. Georgie appears initially to be a rather vapid cypher interested only in bibelows and doilies, but in fact it is he who shows good sense and backbone when they are most needed.
The Production values are very high and this is presented in a bright colour pallete with very nice music and a humorous turn to all of the polite and mannered 'clashes' between the two protagonists. It's a pleasure to watch.
The best series is in my opinion the first, where the protagonists are fairly evenly matched.
In the second series, Lucia's far greater wealth makes the contest much more one-sided, though Lucia's occasional errors of judgement enable Mapp to claw back occasionally.