Grantchester

I think it is not just that it was James Norton, it was that Sidney was a more interesting character than Will, perhaps because the earlier series were closer to the books, perhaps because Sidney was a flawed man, where Will is just a jolly nice chap.

LucyAnna

Greenfinch

I watched it for the first time last week but found it incredibly boring and mundane. Perhaps it doesn’t really gel without the background of the earlier series.

It’s not as good as it was.

Not as good in what way? I've always seen it as a fairly cosy drama set in the 1950s although the murders have often been quite dark and edgy. Also, Sidney was a tormented soul and virtually an alcoholic, so it was a difficult watch at times. Really it wasn't as cosy as I would have liked!

I think the earlier ones explored the differences between the law of the land in the 50s and God's laws, and a lot of the stories were about the clashes and crossovers, as well as hinting at how things have changed between the 50s/60s and now. Oh, and the way in which wars change priorities and outlooks. Sidney is a damaged man as a result of his wartime experiences, whilst the vicar characters are more optimistic.

I don't find it particularly cosy - although there is no real violence, some of the subject matter is quite dark.

Chestnut

I'm happy to go along with it because I've watched from the start and have kept going. Now on Series 8 !! I feel a connection because I know the area.

Was astonished when Will stormed off because his wife needed to visit her sick mother. What was all that about? He had been trying to be a good father and she had just left him in charge of the little boy, so why on earth was he behaving like a petulant teenager? Look how that ended.

In that brief flash the man he ran over looked like Leonard's friend, I hope not.

I thought it was Daniel as well.😮

Calendargirl

If it’s already been shown ‘live’, then it isn’t a spoiler, IMHO.

I watched Truelove last night, and will catch up with Grantchester tonight.

Thought it would end after Will got married though?

I thought Truelove was brilliant!

That’s what I thought chestnut.

After last night’s episode, I really think Grantchester is going the same way as Call The Midwife.

A pretty boring story, just miserable characters, think it has run its course.

I’m losing interest too, haven’t we already had Geordie and Cathy falling out over her work? Will and his wife and a pregnancy that seemingly is going on forever and Leonard and his forever miserable face what happened to the cafe? Even Will is depressed I’m not sure I’ll be watching again.

Will is really getting on my nerves now. He’s too self absorbed to be of any use to his parishioners never mind his poor family.

I agree with all the above comments. It's becoming very thoughtful, focusing on friendship, faith, loyalty and guilt. But probably too much. Let's hope Will has rediscovered his lost faith (the sun shining through the stained glass window), Bonnie comes home and Mrs C gets back in the kitchen.

It's odd that Bonnie appears so intermittently in this series, they might as well have written her out! Will is obviously leaving too, looking at last night's episode.

Probably should have finished when Will and Bonnie married (think I have said that before).

Actually, having read all the books, Sidney was not half as flawed or troubled as the tv series made out. The stories were fairly innocent and moral.

Find Mrs C or whatever her name is now rather irritating.

The gloomfest carries on with no light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone is still miserable and down. I would never want to watch this series again in the future. I only keep watching for the shots outside the house or down by the river, so lovely.

I'm only watching intermittently and missed all the previous series but why is Mrs C still working at the vicarage?
Will is now married and most vicars' wives would have taken on the running of the household as well as running the Mothers' Union, organising the 'church ladies' to clean the church, do the flowers etc.

Besides which, didn't Mrs C marry a wealthy man and now has her own large house to run?

I was delighted when I realised Grantchester was returning. I imagined Bonnie getting involved in parish activities, Leonard’s café going from strength to strength, Mrs. C continuing to poke her nose in where it’s not wanted and Will spending more time ‘assisting’ Geordie than tending to his flock.

What a huge disappointment this series has been.

Is it a new writer?

I'm beginning to agree with everyone else, the series has become quite depressing with little or no light relief. Will has turned into a self pitying wreck. I do understand a little more that Leonard is suffering for several reasons, but maybe he doesn't have to suffer 24/7.

Callistemon21

Is it a new writer?

I just checked and they have had a variety of different writers so its hard to tell, but the same names seem to be appearing.

The last episode next week so let's see how it ends.

The ninth season is being filmed.

merlotgran

The ninth season is being filmed.

And yet ‘Home Fires’, which I and many others enjoyed, was dropped, leaving a real cliffhanger.

Neither rhyme nor reason in some of the series which plough on regardless.

Home Fires was very enjoyable.
But, of course, it was a mainly female cast.

I bought a DVD box set of We'll Meet Again in a charity shop, and watched it in our holiday lodge last year. It is a bit dated, but I really enjoyed it. I think it ran to three seasons, but there was definitely scope for it to have gone on.

Callistemon21

Home Fires was very enjoyable.
But, of course, it was a mainly female cast.

All they had to do was tick the necessary boxes and bring it back!

The new vicar in Grantchester is black….✔️

merlotgran

Callistemon21

Home Fires was very enjoyable.
But, of course, it was a mainly female cast.

All they had to do was tick the necessary boxes and bring it back!

The new vicar in Grantchester is black….✔️

The real vicar in the real Grantchester is female!

The real vicar in the real Grantchester is female!

Why on earth can’t we have a female vicar then?