rbkjr
I originally didn't intend to watch "The Collection" For no particular reason, then I brought up the program listings guide on Sunday afternoon, and clicked on the local Los Angeles PBS station. I saw episode 2 was scheduled to be televised that night, And decided to set the DVR... And go back to watch the first episode online, which I have done to my great delight. The writing is outstanding, and character development so well done, that you can't ask more from a series (Masterpiece) I've watched on PBS, Over the years...with a reputation nothing less than par-excellence, going all the way back to when it was still hosted by Alastair Cooke and known as "Masterpiece Theater", With its beautiful weekly presentment...brought to life by its Renaissance style theme music, Which I, along with millions of others Who followed the program regularly, I'm sure, must have truly loved hearing that theme music played...every time It came on.This series (the Collection), All about the post-WWII times in France, trying to regain Its stature, By the use of high Couture fashion, out of Paris, To gain respectability... after The Vichy government allowed the Nazis to walk in, uncontested, And take over The country... while the collaboration of the French government, didn't put up a fight, To the dismay of many of its citizens. Those who didn't have enough bread to eat after the war ended... And many of the French bakeries who were forced to close several days per week, until they could get enough supplies to even feed their citizens again, were probably part of the original resistance, and never forgave the government, especially those in higher-up positions of authority, who got everything they wanted or needed, unlike the majority of their citizenry. Excellent juxtaposition Of real life history, With character development to represent all the facets of life, from the highest to the lowest classes.If you in anyway feel uncomfortable with the representation of a gay character, brought to life on the screen, completely, in all aspects... You may feel threatened by this series, Or at least certain parts of this episode, in particular.It's not just about the fashion industry trying to regain its identity and getting a foothold within The French culture, It's about the peoples' identity trying to regain who they are as a people, and a culture... While trying to overcome the high price they paid for their Government "selling out"... thinking they had overcome the worst obstacles, once the war had come to an end. Only to find that the struggle for self-identity was even harder than they may have thought.I eagerly await The chance To view episode 2 from the DVR, that I hadn't planned to record, And now wholeheartedly, am glad that I did!
Maria Trim
I nearly didn't watch this, as i just assumed WRONGLY it was a story about bringing back fashion in Paris after the war. Boy was I wrong. From the start to the finish i was totally hooked. Yes it has fashion, and pretty feminine ladies, but the story behind the scenes is full of intrigue, treason, murder, collaboration, and so much more. I really really really hope there will be a season 2, i so want to see what happens next. 8 episodes all of them excellent. Oh and the joy of seeing Frances de la Tour once again in an Amazon series, she is so dark and mysterious as the mother of the Sabine brothers...... I loved her character one of my favorite English actresses who can put her hand to anything, comedy or drama. Please watch this series, and review as the more people who do it the more likely we will see the second part in production.
graphicusart
I found this wonderful post-WW2 French drama one of the best shows I've discovered this year. The storyline, costuming & French ambiance were all perfectly rendered. There was much in the way of secretive family intrigue and definitely ended in a cliffhanger. By the end of the final episode, I was left wanting more, so I'm hoping there's another season! I can't recommend this wonderful, exciting show highly enough ~
