The Paradise: Season Two Blu-ray Review

    
     Format: Blu-ray, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: BBC Home Entertainment

Release Date: November 18, 2014

Run Time: 464 minutes

 

        “The Paradise” is a new BBC series which has the feel of a classic literature adaptation, filled with savory melodrama and colorful characters in an immaculate Victorian setting. Season one of this delightful romance could stand alone as a miniseries by the way the story is neatly wrapped up in eight episodes, though the narrative continues with this second season. While the narrative may not be so neatly contained in a second season, the characters are increasingly endearing through a new series of obstacles and conflicts.  

 

        The series follows country girl named Denise (Joanna Vanderham) in her travels to the city in order to work her way up the ladder of success in Britain’s first great department store. Originally run by the innovative young owner John Moray (Emun Elliott), The Paradise is a huge success which has unique problems arising with each new turn. Season one had Denise working as a lowly shopgirl at the department store, though her imaginative brain is perfectly suited for more creative aspects of the business world. Struggling to remain on good terms with everyone in the shop, Denise finds many conflicts of interest as she has new ideas to help The Paradise. Each great idea she has threatens the dynamic within the power struggles of The Paradise. Matters are complicated even further when romantic entanglements also distract from the daily work of the department store.

 

        As Moray chooses love over control of The Paradise at the close of season one, he is brought back as an employee to his former fiancé in season two. Katherine Glendenning (Elaine Cassidy) returns newly married, though this does not stop the love triangle she shares with Moray and Denise. Surprisingly, it is not the return of this tired storyline that brings this series down a notch from the first season, but rather the singular obsession that Moray has with regaining control of The Paradise. All of the charm garnered by the close of the final episode in season one is buried beneath his need for control in the business.

 

        Just as was done in season one, things are wrapped up neatly enough to give the illusion of a happy ending by the final episode of season two. This is for the best, rather than any senseless cliffhanger, because “The Paradise” was cancelled after this season. There will be no third season for those who are wondering if Moray will ever regain control, and if Denise will surpass him in business abilities. All eight episodes of season two are included on a two-disc Blu-ray set.

 

Entertainment Value: 7.5/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 8/10

Historical Significance:  6.5/10

Special Features: 1/10