MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE [PBS]

The Pandemic creates a time when Diane and I are watching TV programs that normally we wouldn’t bother with. Miss Scarlet and The Duke is one of those programs. Yes, I like Kate Phillips, who plays Miss Scarlett–she did well in Downton Abbey and Wolf Hall–who is constrained by society to a very limited role. Her reliance on The Duke, William Wellington (played by Stuart Martin), a Scotland Yard detective, is a limiting factor.

The setting for this series is Victorian London in 1882. Eliza Scarlet is left almost penniless when her father, Henry Scarlet, unexpectedly dies. In a time when marriage is the only option for a woman’s financial security, Eliza resolves to continue her father’s detective agency alone. But to operate in such a sexist world of crime-solving Eliza needs help to generate cases and to build her reputation despite being a woman.

Eliza frequently calls on her old friend William Wellington (aka, The Duke), a gruff womanising Detective Inspector of Scotland Yard, to help her acquire cases. William was mentored by Eliza’s late father through the police academy, and knew Eliza as teenagers where they once shared a chaste kiss. Henry saved William from the London streets as a child. William admired Henry and believes he owes Henry a debt of honor to protect Eliza. Though William is irritated by Eliza’s detective aspirations, he cares for her and gradually begins to show respect for her investigatory skills.

Set the bar low and you’ll enjoy Miss Scarlett and The Duke. Tonight is the Season One Finale. The earlier episodes are available ON DEMAND. GRADE: B- (for the entire series)

12 thoughts on “MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE [PBS]

  1. Michael Padgett

    This sort of standard PBS fare doesn’t much appeal to me, but there seems to be no shortage of good things to watch. This weekend I’ve watched the very entertaining sort-of-comic thriller “I Care a Lot” on Netflix, the terrific “Nomadland” on Hulu, and an old Brian De Palma thriller “Blow Out” recorded from either HBO or Showtime. I noticed yesterday that “Goodfellas”, which I’ve been meaning to rewatch for ages, is disappearing from Netflix at the end of the month, so that will consume one evening. Also thinking of a re-watch of the great “Hannibal” tv series on Hulu. I’ve yet to reach a stage of boredom where I watch things I don’t care about just to be watching something.

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  2. Jeff Meyerson

    I can’t exactly explain why, but I dislike this intensely. Her character is fingernails on the blackboard to me. Jackie likes it (she says it has improved since I quit watching after two episodes) but it isn’t for me. I tried thinking about it and there is not one thing I like – her, him, her character, her outfits (especially the hats), her self-congratulatory attitude, you name it.

    We did sign up for MHz Choice this week. So far watched series two, episode one of INSPECTOR MANARA, which Jackie wanted. (Series one is on Amazon Prime or Acorn.) And we rewatched the first episode of INSPECTOR MONTALBANO, which we’d seen on DVD years ago. It was pretty faithful to the books, a series I really like. Luca Zingaretti does a good job as the Sicilian cop. We now have their 2500 available hours of programming to add to Netflix, Amazon Prime/Acorn/Britbox.

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    1. george Post author

      Jeff, MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE is a sanitized version of Victorian London. Like Jackie, Diane likes this series. A Second Season was planned, but the Pandemic put it on HOLD.

      Reply
  3. Patti Abbott

    Very mediocre. I didn’t last an episode. It is the worst of PBS when they think attractive actors, an historical setting and nice costumes is enough. Maybe it was thirty years ago but no longer. Yes, NOMADLAND was the best movie I have seen in a very long time, Michael. She is the best actor working today IMHO.

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  4. maggie mason

    I’m watching Miss Scarlett and the duke. I have a friend who loves it, compares it to Miss Fisher. I’m lukewarm about it. I feel she is very irritating. She puts herself and others in danger due to her thoughtlessness. He is ok, but wonder at the drinking on the job. But I’m still watching it, not sure I’ll watch the 2nd season, though.

    I just got season 1 of the Modern Miss Fisher series from the library. I’m not too hopeful about it, but will give it a try. Also have Accidental Studio now from the library.

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    1. george Post author

      Maggie, like you I’m lukewarm about MISS SCARLETT AND THE DUKE. It needs better scripts. I’ve heard mixed reviews of the Modern Miss Fisher.

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    2. Jeff Meyerson

      Maggie, we tried the modern Miss Fisher because we loved Geraldine Hakewell in WANTED, but couldn’t get through half an hour. It was awful.

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      1. maggie mason

        I’m not expecting it to be anywhere as good as the original, so maybe I’ll be able to watch it all the way thru

  5. Beth Fedyn

    I liked this a lot so will hope for a Season 2.
    Miss Scarlet often acted like a spoiled only child – or an elder sibling (says the bossy older sister with 4 other siblings) but that wasn’t a problem for me.
    The mysteries were interesting and I thought there was good chemistry between Eliza and the Duke.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Beth, Diane and I enjoyed MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE, too. Miss Scarlet got into a lot of trouble, but The Duke was always there to help her out. Of course, Miss Scarlet saves The Duke a couple of times, too!

      Reply

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