[This is for just the first series, because Criticker splits them up for some reason.] The first few episodes of this are really terribly directed and shot, but then it drastically improves after that. Perhaps a different director did the first few episodes? Soames is a lovely character, regardless.

Not bad -- in fact, I think this is one of the slightly better entries in the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Not So Famous in the 19th Century" subgenre -- but I must say I'm getting tired of this sort of thing. After all, we Americans fought a revolution to get away from this sort of shit. I cannot help but suspect that the creators of such things are either upper- classers themselves... or aristocrat groupies, who are far more insufferable

I watched twice on TV. I thought wonderful, with excellent performances. Damian Lewis is great as Soames; impossible not hate the character.