Love & the Department Store: The Paradise, Season One (2013) on DVD and Blu-Ray
As Denise (Joanna Vanderham, Dancing on the Edge, What Maisie Knew) finds her feet as a lowly shopgirl, she must navigate her way through power struggles, intrigues and affairs. When the shop’s dashing and reckless owner, John Moray (Emun Elliot, Game of Thrones, Prometheus) spots her talents, she knows she can use this opportunity to rise to great things. In a world as colorful and captivating as the silks on display in the store, The Paradise is a love story with a mysterious, dark secret at its heart. Bonus feature: Behind the Doors of Paradise includes a tour of The Paradise set, cast interviews and a visit to the show’s costume department.
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My Thoughts:
There's nothing I'd rather watch than a costume drama produced by BBC and Masterpiece Theatre. The Paradise, the latest series to come from a collaboration between the Beeb and PBS, is one series that captures the heart and the imagination unlike any other. With lush sets, complex characters, and a terrific storyline, The Paradise is sure to please those who can't get enough of a good, clean story.
Set in the latter half of the 19th century, The Paradise gives viewers a peek into the lives of those responsible for establishing a department store and keeping it afloat. But that's not all, glimpses into the everyday lives of all involved from the orphaned errand boy to the wealthy Glenndennings give the series its light-hearted moments as well as high drama. Starring relative newcomers Emun Elliott and the beautiful Joanna Vanderham as well as seasoned veterans, Elaine Cassidy and Sarah Lancashire, the department store of yore is brought to life in an intriguing and subtly sexy manner!
From the very first heated glance between Denise Lovett and John Moray to the last breathtaking scene of the finale, it's difficult to take your eyes off of the screen. Denise's wide-eyed, country girl innocence, Moray's take charge, brook no nonsense character, the very creepy and strangely loyal Jonas, and the bubbly and silly shop girl Pauline are the stars of this story. This series has less sordid and overall more appealing story-lines than this year's other department store drama, Mr. Selfridge. Moray is far more likable and more genuine a character than Selfridge and Elliott is a thousand times more suited for the role than Piven for Selfridge. While I preferred the more authentic store setting at Selfridge's over The Paradise, there's no question that The Paradise is the better series.
Similar to Lark Rise to Candleford, The Paradise offers a quality of entertainment that is second to none and is a great series to watch with the entire family!
There's nothing I'd rather watch than a costume drama produced by BBC and Masterpiece Theatre. The Paradise, the latest series to come from a collaboration between the Beeb and PBS, is one series that captures the heart and the imagination unlike any other. With lush sets, complex characters, and a terrific storyline, The Paradise is sure to please those who can't get enough of a good, clean story.
Set in the latter half of the 19th century, The Paradise gives viewers a peek into the lives of those responsible for establishing a department store and keeping it afloat. But that's not all, glimpses into the everyday lives of all involved from the orphaned errand boy to the wealthy Glenndennings give the series its light-hearted moments as well as high drama. Starring relative newcomers Emun Elliott and the beautiful Joanna Vanderham as well as seasoned veterans, Elaine Cassidy and Sarah Lancashire, the department store of yore is brought to life in an intriguing and subtly sexy manner!
From the very first heated glance between Denise Lovett and John Moray to the last breathtaking scene of the finale, it's difficult to take your eyes off of the screen. Denise's wide-eyed, country girl innocence, Moray's take charge, brook no nonsense character, the very creepy and strangely loyal Jonas, and the bubbly and silly shop girl Pauline are the stars of this story. This series has less sordid and overall more appealing story-lines than this year's other department store drama, Mr. Selfridge. Moray is far more likable and more genuine a character than Selfridge and Elliott is a thousand times more suited for the role than Piven for Selfridge. While I preferred the more authentic store setting at Selfridge's over The Paradise, there's no question that The Paradise is the better series.
Similar to Lark Rise to Candleford, The Paradise offers a quality of entertainment that is second to none and is a great series to watch with the entire family!
~ My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (A favorite!) ~
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/publicist for review purposes. I received no compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
How lovely to read that you enjoyed this series, Renee - you make me want to relive it! :) I'm happy to be seeing S2 later this year, however from what I know, it's not as clean as S1, which was inevitable but still sad.
ReplyDeleteOooo I will definitely be looking for your review of series 2! I hope it lives up to this series!
DeleteI've been debating this one. Great review sweetie!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely one of the best shows of the year, I hope you can give it a try sometime!
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