Affectionate, charming and barmy comedy Blandings concluded its second series this weekend, and like the first, it had me tittering away and left me feeling warm hearted and eagerly awaiting more. Based upon the works of P.G. Wodehouse, when Blandings first graced our screens this time last year, rather modestly and quietly it must be said, it was met with mixed reviews by critics, some declaring it incoherent idiocy and some a comedic gem. I think I could see both sides really, but I along with many others tuned in to six cracking episodes and I thoroughly enjoyed the second seven, which presented more madcap goings on at Blandings castle, in broadly the same wonderful manner.
Firstly, I think we should take a look at the new additions to the Blandings family, which in my opinion only carry the programme from strength to strength. Julian Rhind-Tutt would be a fantastic character as the eponymous Galahad without his fantastic interplay with all the other characters; this affable cheeky chappy is well worth watching any which way. Yet his warm and endearing relationship with his daft brother Clarence, his swarthy tutor-ledge of Freddie, and his aloof brush-offs of Connie are all fantastic to watch.
Also new to the cast, a surprising but positive change, was the replacement of Mark Williams with comedian Tim Vine as tipsy butler Beach. Now don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Mark Williams generally and in Series One of Blandings thought he was very good too. Yet as Beach, I feel Tim Vine might just have edged it, incorporating that much more charm, twinkle and expression into the often exasperated but always essential butler of Blandings.
I introduced a lot of characters there, featuring other core members of Blandings, so let us turn to them. One area where I feel Series Two is subtly but effectively different, is in the character development of Freddie, played by rising star Jack Farthing. Yes, Freddie is still insanely posh and twittering, strapped for cash, ever telling tales of the "Pink Pussy" and often without a clue at all. Yet he has a tad more luck with the ladies, despite not managing to keep one for longer than an episode (and without the trademark "hair raise" of Series One, which while funny and non too subtle innuendo-wise, did get a bit tiresome to me). What's more the writers have smattered in a few moments where Freddie is sincere, empathetic, and even slightly cunning, making him a much more well rounded character which I feel is definitely a positive improvement.
Core too is Lady Constance "Connie" Keeble, played by the wonderful Jennifer Saunders who is pretty much delivering more of the same from Series One into Two, which is fine by me. Still incredibly socially conscious, ambitious, domineering, scathing, highly amusing but still with a little heart - Connie is very much a presence at Blandings, whose relationship with her brother Clarence is still fraught with ingenious wordplay, chemistry, innuendo and hilarious one-liners.
Of course, we cannot forget Clarence, the Earl of Emsworth himself. It would be easy to soon tire of this character's dithering, forgetful, brainless attitude to life that renders him in essence "a bit of a twit". And yet, and yet! Nothing further from the truth could be so! Brought to life by the great Timothy Spall, Clarence is the star of Blandings if ever there was one, throughout each episode without fail. His endearingly dithering character is played masterfully, down to the last intrinsic mannerism and detail, rendering Clarence one of the most lovable characters in television. Not only that, but his nature and the nature in which his lines are written, are formula for some absolutely cracking lines and moments, that are nothing short of funny as a bare minimum, and breath-takingly hilarious the rest of the time. Indeed, Timothy Small proves his acting prowess and ability again and again within the batty world that is Blandings, and if he is only ever remembered for Clarence (which is considerably unlikely) then I feel he should be proud.
Yes, Blandings has now gifted viewers in their millions two series of pantomime antics that are crafted and delivered in a truly unique fashion. So this really is me celebrating both series and their core elements, as well as marking the end of Series Two. I don't believe it has been announced as to what the future will hold for Blandings, but if you ask me, it certainly has more to give and should be allowed the opportunity to do so in all its glory. Capital!
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