I was glad to see that Mrs. C ultimately came through to show Leonard support (though I'm sure we all guessed that she more than likely would).

Quite good season, overall, though I'm not really much "feeling" Geordie's formerly-military secondary storyline, that at least so far has, I've thought, seemed rather forced.

(PS: I've written this post super-quickly, while on the way out the door, so very well may add to or otherwise adjust it later.)

Something's obviously up with the war buddy plotline. It seems we may be in store for the revelation of some sort of past war-time intrigue. I have a feeling the amount of focus on Geordie's attitudes vis a vis "idealism" is setting us up for the reveal of either a war crime or some sort of unethical behavior in which he was complicit, especially since the buddy's already proven to be a corrupt, smooth-talking character. He's been purposefully vague about who his real client is, who's paying the bills, etc. It reminds me a bit of Robert Duvall's character in The Godfather when he says he only represents one client...

When I posted early this morning, I completely forgot that I haven't yet watched last night's new PBS episode. I only yesterday morning finally got around to watching the episode from a week ago. (I'll watch last night's episode hopefully by end of today.)

At any rate, my post above was written with me not yet knowing anything beyond what all transpired during the episode that PBS aired a week ago.

By the way, before I forget: More than once during this season, it dawned on me that the young reporter lady who Will wound up a bit romantically involved with last season never has appeared during this season. That's surprised me, as I really thought, after last season, that she'd for sure return as a recurring character throughout this season.

genplant, I apologize for the spoilers. Before I commenced discussion, I should've alerted anyone. I continually forget broadcast times as well as viewership times can vary.

Having said that, the suspicion about Geordie's war buddy Johnny are mainly based on earlier episodes in the season, when he not only refused to reveal who was paying him to represent the truck heist participants, but also the fact that he tried (and failed) to bribe Geordie. Anyway, we already learned they were WWII POWs together in the Burma (I think, not positive) campaign. If so, I wonder if the plotline will in any way touch on the famous story of the building of the Burmese Railway, depicted in the David Lean film, The Bridge On The River Kwai (a personal favorite)??? If not, in any case it's probably pretty safe to assume corruption or ethical compromises that may have occurred during their time as prisoners were in an effort to survive Japanese torture they surely suffered. At least I hope so - Geordie cheated on his wife in a previous season, after all.

Arguments during past episodes this season between Geordie and Will (re: Geordie's resentment of Will's failure to serve) also seem to be connected to this mysterious plotline, a mystery that obviously haunts Geordie.

The SE Asian front was different for Brits than Americans who served, in that Burma and India were British colonies, and quests for independence swept both places irrespective of the war. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a racial aspect to whatever Geordie's secret is. Maybe not. Anyway, the atomic bombings of Japan finally brought the gruesome campaign to an end - thus Geordie's differing attitude from Will's about the use of nuclear weapons.

With only 2 more episodes to go, the mystery will be revealed soon enough. I'm looking forward to finding out!

PS - I was surprised about the reporter's absence too genplant -- until the gorgeous stepsister was introduced. Although, didn't the reporter dump him because he wouldn't boink her? I can't remember now - need to check.

Hi, merry. No: There's absolutely nothing that you spoiled, when you wrote your earlier posts. I already knew about the crooked-seeming lawyer guy, as that character was introduced in the episode of last week that I finally watched yesterday.

I didn't get a chance to watch last night's episode today, but hope to do so within the next day or two.

I checked out the discussion here about Season 5 and yes, Will upheld his vow of celibacy when it came to Ellie -- but bedded a lusty older nun before season's end. So the attraction to his stepsister seems to follow his usual kinky pattern.

@merryapril said:

I checked out the discussion here about Season 5 and yes, Will upheld his vow of celibacy when it came to Ellie -- but bedded a lusty older nun before season's end. So the attraction to his stepsister seems to follow his usual kinky pattern.

Why would Will have a 'vow of celibacy'? Anglican 'vicars' are allowed to marry, they probably frown on premarital sex but 'celibacy'?

Beats me bratface, although I think it was just a self-imposed vow on Will's part, maybe partly egged on jokingly by Geordie as well as by Will's guilt about a past dalliance that was rather sordid. I'd forgotten a lot of the backstory but it helped that we discussed it here so much -- it made it easier to refresh my memory.

BTW, hello genplant and bratface -- it's nice to chat with you guys again!

@merryapril said:

Beats me bratface, although I think it was just a self-imposed vow on Will's part, maybe partly egged on jokingly by Geordie as well as by Will's guilt about a past dalliance that was rather sordid. I'd forgotten a lot of the backstory but it helped that we discussed it here so much -- it made it easier to refresh my memory.

BTW, hello genplant and bratface -- it's nice to chat with you guys again!

Hello, I stopped watching regularly after Norton left. Plus, the 2 PBS stations in my area are a pain since 'streaming' took hold. The main PBS station's transmitter transmits such a crappy signal now, it's impossible to get it with an OTA antenna. They have done this so people will pay for their streaming channel (which I refuse to do)! The 'redheaded stepchild' station has way too many pledge drives now, I just stopped watching them altogether.

I hear you. I decided not to renew my PBS Passport (streaming) subscription this year because I already pay a fortune for Spectrum service. And now that you've mentioned it, even with Spectrum's otherwise fine service (except for the cost), both my husband and I have noticed poorer reception at times on the various PBS stations we have access to (e.g., occasional pixellation - when the screen image kind of dissolves into tiny squares). On the other hand, we never go to movies anymore -- too much adolescent schlock -- so our hefty cable bill is a luxury we indulge in - so far.

Too bad though you can't keep up with the show. I have to admit I've really grown fonder of of Geordie (always loved Robson Green), Mrs. C and Leonard more than Sydney or Will! Don't get me wrong, I've liked the two vicars, who obviously drive the plot progression, but the other characters have more "character", IYKWIM.

Greetings, merry and brat.

Hours ago, after returning home from work (my job is very demanding plus mentally draining [too, very often I work six days a week]; I'm a manager with endlessly a lot on my plate to need to tackle and keep on top of), I proceeded to fix myself a light meal, settled in on the sofa, began watching the most recent Sunday night Grantchester episode, was enjoying it and interested, got as far as perhaps midway through - and next thing I knew I was awakening there on the sofa, the time was 9:30p.m. (!!!), and I realized I had been dead asleep for hours! Ugh.

This sort of thing happens to me so very often, and I hate it as not only do I sometimes need to attempt watching something on multiple days before I actually get it successfully fully watched, but also the "quality time" portion of my day already is used up and passed by the time any long unplanned nap finishes occurring - and then I still need to do whatever all else before going to bed (which nearly always winds up not gotten around to until much later than intended or desired).

My work schedule really makes it hard for me to watch and keep up with one-hour weekly shows anymore, as I daily get up at shortly after 4a.m., which means not only that I'm typically weary by the afternoons, but also that, ultimately, evenings wind up usually a write-off non-event. (Later than the 9p.m. hour feels like "very late".) I record things that I enjoy and want/try to follow, though then it can be days before actually eventually getting around to watching something - and even then the attempt may well wind up ultimately unceremoniously derailed by an unplanned nap such as again occurred today.

At any rate, I'll try, again, hopefully tomorrow, to continue the most recent episode from whatever point in it is the last scene that looks familiar.

Just wanted to explain why I haven't posted with much frequency since Aug. 2020, despite that I continue to - as before - want and enjoy to (and do do so whenever the timing works out right). Grantchester continues to be a series I enjoy and follow. (I, meanwhile, decided to abandon Baptiste - that's excellent and that I was interested in all last season and first couple episodes of this second/final one - a couple weeks ago as attempting to keep up with two Sunday night hour-long series was proving too challenging and frustrating.)

The next time I post, I'll do so returning on-topic about the latest episode and this season.

Don't feel bad genplant. I too gave up on Baptiste this season. Even though I always enjoyed her, especially ever since My Left Foot and the 1995 version of Persuasion , I hate to say it but I've reached the point of overdose when it comes to Fiona Shaw. It seems to me she's been in too many shows I've watched in recent years. Same goes for Keeley Hawes. I find myself reaching for the remote anymore if they're in the cast. It's hard to explain since they're both very fine actors. Just too overexposed IMO.

I'm sorry you have to work so hard!!! Yikes, 4 AM!!! Take care!

I love Keeley Hawes, and have enjoyed everything I've so far seen her in, and must share that just the other week I decided to go ahead and purchase the entire 4-seasons run of The Durrells in Corfu on DVD as that's a series I have so many fond memories of.

Now, when I'll ever actually find the right time(s) to get around to watching any/all of those newly-acquired several DVDs is the big question.

I still haven't yet gotten around to watching the last half or so of last Sunday night's episode (hopefully will sometime during the coming hours), but want to share - before I forget - what TV Guide Magazine states, on page 58 of its Nov.8-21 double issue, about next Sunday night's season finale episode:

WORTH THE WAIT.... // We finally learn the full history between Detective Inspector Geordie Keating (Robson Green) and fellow WWII POW Johnny Richards (Shaun Dooley) - why Geordie has spiraled since they reconnected and why he feels he owes him - in this can't-miss hour.

Intriguing.

Yeah, IMO it's the mystery of Geordie's and Johnny's relationship as POWs that's most compelling at this point in the season, even more so than poor Leonard's travails, now that his trial's behind him and he's serving time in jail.