television shows

I recently discovered this British period drama cum mystery series and can't praise it too highly. Start with the first episode ("The German Woman") and meet Detective Chief Inspector Foyle (Michael Kitchen) as a modest yet razor sharp British policeman trying to do his crime-fighting job on the homefront during World War II. The series begins in May 1940 and ends 22 episodes later in August 1945 and incorporates many actual historical events.

Samurai Champloo is one of the most entertaining adventures in the samurai genre. Three unwilling companions set out on a journey across Edo period Japan.  A young woman looking for a possibly nonexistent samurai that smells like sunflowers,  a wild swordsman looking to challenge absolutely anyone who irritates him, and a taciturn ronin with a hidden past forge an unlikely bond. Though set in the 17th century,  Samurai Champloo has a hip-hop sensibility, with many modern references and themes.  The dialogue is extremely witty and the characters endearing.

This three-part series picks up a few years after the old Upstairs, Downstairs television series left off, circa 1936.  The maid, Rose (Jean Marsh) returns and there's lots of nostalgia throughout.  A bit on the sugary side but fans of the 1970s series will enjoy the trip down memory lane--and the full color production. Check Our Catalog

Roman history and political skullduggery come alive in this BBC miniseries. Has something of a stagey feel (in a good way), the dialogue is sharp, and the saga of the "half-wit" Roman emperor engaging. If you enjoyed HBO's "Rome" miniseries, this one picks up about where "Rome" left off. Check Our Catalog

If you missed this four-season series on Showtime (first season aired in 2007), try it out on DVD from the library. If you like costume soaps about sex, power and political intrique, this one is addictive! Check Our Catalog