IcyTones

Just think of The Gilded Age TV Series as the American version of the British TV Drama 'Upstairs Downstairs'. That means it's got a bigger budget with better storylines and more extravaganza. Downton Abbey? Can't see it myself, but then, I never got past the first half of the first episode of DA - such hyped up rubbish but 'Upstairs Downstairs'...now you're talking... Likewise, the workplace drama 'The Office' the American version... bigger budget, storylines that lasted 9 Seasons & won many awards unlike the Original British version of The Office which only consisted of 2 Seasons. The Gilded Age TV Series has that American edge of flamboyancy to it.

The Gilded Age TV Series is an American Historical Period Drama set, where fiction & non fiction are mingled. The drama consists of the conflicts between the old money people - 'now' termed as the upper classes - ie: those who have 'acquired' money through 'generations' of inheritance, investments & dare I say corruption. The new money people - 'now' seen as the middle classes, in the middle income bracket - ie: those who have earned, made & accumulated small fortunes of money through industrialism & dare I say more corruption. TGA is also about the wealth & social standing of women in the community, businessmen & the world of work. Community spirit & other surrounding communities of peoples.

An American period drama was a bit of a turn off for me, but there were 2 things that peaked my interest.

1. The Culture. This isn't just another TV programme about rich white folk. Within the constraints of racism it includes 19th century rich Black folk as well, & the snobbiness or hierarchy that goes with all of that. The first episode hosted a Black Female which wasn't a servant, a slave, the help, or a super unmarried mum - (ie: The super mum I'm thinking of is the Angela Logan's story in the 2009 movie 'Apple Mortgage Cake'). Neither was the Black Female a wild in-cohesive vixen.

2. The History. The drama hides much of its truth in frivolous chatter & subtle comments. There is no 'fanfare' or big storyline. The revelation is just so nonchalant.

I just watched it to see how far it would go before the 'Disney' 'Tinsel-Town' fantasy, took over, & closed captions so to speak, but I have been pleasantly surprised by its 'airing' & totally engrossed by the topics in each episode.

The writers from the 1974 Porridge wrote this 2017 Porridge. Both stories follow the Fletcher family history of misfortunate imprisonment. The similarities between the 1974 & 2017 Porridge are simple and styled to bring to the forefront of our minds the original 1974 backdrop story.

Some writers assume much, whilst other writers cater for an unassuming audience/reader. The bigger picture... the classics 'revisited', not remakes or replicas.

Just to reiterate... it really is just a continued Norman Fletcher story - through the eyes of his grandson Nigel Fletcher. This 2016/2017 Porridge is not a replica or a remake of the original series. It serves as a Sequel to the 1974 original series, it enhances Norman Fletcher's backdrop story about the male Fletcher family history of imprisonment - as noted in the 'Prisoner & Escort' episode of 1974. It also captures the very essence of the three 1974 seasons of Porridge and condenses the three seasons into 7 short episodes.

Basically, this version of Porridge relays a few open lines & throw away comments stated by Norman Fletcher in the original series such as: "It's All The Same! Porridge Is Porridge"! (S1: Ep1; entitled 'New Faces, Old Hands').

No one would ever dare dream of casting New Faces to walk or work in the role or shadows of an Old Hand & legendary master like Ronnie Barker.

The brilliance of this 2016/2017 Porridge, is that it is a brilliant piece of TV Writing. Most spin-off series or sequels stay current during the height of it's popularity - even if it happens 2-3 years later as in the case of 'Stranger Things' or 'Young Sheldon'. If they can get away with using the same old actors to act or do voice overs they do, but this is a bold move - a continued old story written or aired decades later with a new set of actors. Ironically, it does more to reawaken the spirit of the 'classic' past series.

At least we know that Norman Fletcher is a man of his word. He did 'bide his time'. After his 5 year stretch ended, he did go straight and never went back into prison as was stated in 1974: S1: Ep 6 - Men Without Women.

Technology has changed over the years & changed aspects of prison life - and that's what the writers concentrated on - the technology. We see several camera shots & hear several conversations about the technology & prison life.

The Technology: An electronic locking system instead of the traditional lock & keys. Burglary & 'Thieving' stuff is old school. Computer Hacking, Mobile Phones/Devices & ID Theft is the new way forward for career criminals - which is what grandson Nigel Fletcher is into. It's these 'aspects ' that are highlighted as the writers give us more of that Fletcher family history of charm, sharp & witty sense of humour, with the continuity of adding another male Fletcher from the same family, to the Fletcher family ancestral role of imprisonment.

Love It! I found myself wanting more & wishing there was more episodes.