A tale of 2 shows. The way I look at this show is to divide it into 2 segments: Series 1-3 and Series 4-7.
Series 1-3 was truly a special show bordering on perfection. The characters and plots were fresh while series 4-7 was truly average at best. The remaining characters and repeated plots became stale.
The show after series 3 could not compete with itself. Yes, Hideous Helen (as my wife and I call Lynda Bellingham) from series 4 on was a part of the problem. However, the main problem was that series 1-3 was so close to being perfect but series 4 on was just an average show. They were repeating previous show plots with very little changes for example and the charm was gone. And Tristan missing from the bulk of the later episodes was another big problem.
We are big fans of ACG&S but what we have here are basically 2 different shows: Series 1-3 is a TEN and Series 4-7 is a FIVE or SIX tops. Thus, the show taken as a whole is around a SEVEN AND A HALF or EIGHT at best. Still a quality show but it dragged on way too long.
Series 1-3 will live forever in my memory as being one of the special shows to hit the little screen.
Series 1-3 was truly a special show bordering on perfection. The characters and plots were fresh while series 4-7 was truly average at best. The remaining characters and repeated plots became stale.
The show after series 3 could not compete with itself. Yes, Hideous Helen (as my wife and I call Lynda Bellingham) from series 4 on was a part of the problem. However, the main problem was that series 1-3 was so close to being perfect but series 4 on was just an average show. They were repeating previous show plots with very little changes for example and the charm was gone. And Tristan missing from the bulk of the later episodes was another big problem.
We are big fans of ACG&S but what we have here are basically 2 different shows: Series 1-3 is a TEN and Series 4-7 is a FIVE or SIX tops. Thus, the show taken as a whole is around a SEVEN AND A HALF or EIGHT at best. Still a quality show but it dragged on way too long.
Series 1-3 will live forever in my memory as being one of the special shows to hit the little screen.