The first episode itself captivates you as soon as the lead protagonists meet for the first time after over 60 years. Very rarely do you see such insightful and delightful stories involving septuagenarians. It has both its thrilling and heartwarming moments, right from the beginning. It has a lot of heart, and the first episode itself draws me into their lives; it was the same way I felt about Downton Abbey. And as Downton, it has a mesmerizing and entrancing opening score which sets the appropriate and stirring mood for the episodes.
The things people wonder about, remain angry or sad about, imagining the reason behind certain events... all those things are treated quite beautifully in the series. Over the episodes, the lead couple and close kin go through many ups and downs, much like normal life. The supporting characters, mainly the close kin of the lead couple, form quite intriguing and fascinating characters. The way our lives and actions affect the people close to us, and vice-versa, is shown masterfully in this season. I liked how they handled the realization of Caroline's new exploration of sexuality (in her middle ages, after her divorce), and how her family reacts to it.
The acting by the entire cast, especially the 70-something leads, Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid, and Sarah Lancashire, is top notch. The screenplay and editing is brilliant, the appropriate timings of events and reactions draws you into the lives of these intriguing characters.
Quite an unusual and delightful romantic drama.
