TV Gold

My husband and I have been watching the entire program over the past few months (1 or 2 episodes per weekend except when we're out of town), and are now smack-dab in the middle of my favorite season, No. 4. When I first saw these episodes back in 1976, I was a college sophomore with very little knowledge of the first World War. Up/Down's depiction of the suffering that so pervaded all classes in post-Edwardian England really affected me and instilled a life-long interest in the causes of that war. A few years later, I was riveted by Testament of Youth, based on Vera Brittain's memoirs of losing a brother and a fiancee to "the Great War", along with her own experiences as a nurse. And several years after that, I encountered To Serve Them All My Days, about a returning World War I veteran. (See <a href='http://www.tvgold.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=92' target='_blank'>thread here</a>.)

Last night we watched Ep. 4.8, The Glorious Dead. I was brushing back tears by the end, and my husband was visibly moved as well. I knew what was going to happen, so I was prepared for both Rose's and Hazel's storylines, but I think what really hit me was James's struggle between duty and the knowledge that it was all for nought. Very powerful stuff.

P.S. Sorry about the thread title -- I was sure I capitalized WWI!