I loved the first series, however, it was no Jewel in the Crown, or Gandhi. I studied Rudyard Kipling's India at Uni. And the period of 1932-35, was a strange period. Certainly the British were trying to evolve brown Englishmen such as Nehru, and most of the Indian civil service were still holding mediocre positions. Being Parsees they (like the Sikhs) were in the minority, and after the Indian Mutiny, few Hindu's remained in the Indian Army as their cast taboos etc., But a Parsee marrying a Muslim. I doubt it. Or a Parsee civil servant, being seen with a British woman who came from quite an influential family. Right until independence, cast and interracial snobbery and racial intermarriage, and segregation were the norm. Anyway I was spellbound at first, but as the second series unfolded I found that it did not make much sense. But I did enjoy it. The British did treat the Indians roughly and growing resentment among the populace. To a point that there were massacres on both sides, and inter religious jealousy's and hatreds. Gandhi was for independence, eliminating the cast system and untouchables, and all Indians get on together irrespective of religious hatreds. It didn't work. Although I did love the first series, I felt the second was a bit disappointing. The second world war was about to erupt, and with Hitler stating the Aryan race, actually they came from North India centuries before, never Nordic.The acting flawless. I don't think a London accent would have been appreciated in the British polite society set then though. Or Cockney songs.And what happened to the young orphan lad who towed the explosives 'A gift for the King' and survived it? And his patron dying and leaving a widow and two sons. The British Raj were not that forgiving.

While it's not to the level of Jewel in the Crown or Passage to India, This little production is entertaining in it's own way. It does evoke some of the absurdities of British rule in India and the last days of the Raj. The seasoned actors do their best with a script that's appalling at times, and at others just plain silly and predictable. The second season really scratches around for plot lines to follow but many of them just become more and more outrageous. As has been pointed out, not a lot of attention was paid to detail. The actress playing Whelan's wife is supposed to be American but her accent is so poorly done, it becomes distracting. Simla was used as a "Hill Station" where the handful of British administrators who governed the whole country would go to escape the summer heat. It would not have tropical foliage like what is shown. Things like that may pass unnoticed by the average viewer but for people who know, it is very distracting and irritating. Overall, it's an entertaining but a very superficial view of a time in history that has been much better portrayed by other authors, script writers and TV series! So watch it just for entertainment value, and don't expect too much!

Some months ago, I binge watched all of S1 over a weekend. Real life was effectively cancelled until the closing credits of the final episode. It was a glorious, immersive experience.This is a genuine 'Jewel' of a show. Sure, it has some laboured historical anachronisms and the usage of tropical Penang as a filming location means Simla has been woefully miscast. But these misgivings aside, as a filmic experience Indian Summers is magnificent.Cinematography is exquisite, the vibrant colours simply dance off the screen and the production values are top notch. The setting is lush and evocative. The plot is riveting, inter-laced with the politics of the time, (with dark resonances for us today). This is definitely a post-colonial reading of the last days of the Raj, but there is certainly some balance afforded by the marvellously textured and excellently acted characterisations. For example, Ralph Whelan is a charming sociopath, but there is nuance and intrigue in his character that makes him compelling throughout.Overall, I can safely say that this is one of the best, original TV productions I have seen for some years. I can't wait for the second series!

Where to start? I've just finished watching the first series on PBS and thoroughly enjoyed it even though it frustrated me no end and made me embarrassed to be British (I'm married to an Indian man so I think that adds to it as well).I think instead of going through the entire plot and character roster I will just pick out elements that piqued my interest the most. Firstly, the young Scottish man and his friendship with the doomed Indian plantation owner. That really affected me esp. the scenes in the prison and then at the hanging and when he steals what he thinks is his friend's ashes and the Indian community come out to greet him. I just cried and cried. So frustrating to watch this innocent man being strung up without a hope. And the English just stood by and cheered it on. Made me sick. Yet this wonderful Scottish man (who also stood out amongst the white population for simply not being English) vehemently protested his friend's innocence over and over.The relationship between the white woman and the Indian secretary. Reminded me of my own with my husband. Also, she seemed to be the only white woman who saw the Indians sympathetically. It will be very interesting to see how (in series 2) her very close relationship with her brother will be affected by her romantic liaison with her secret beau.I was very disappointed to read that it wasn't even filmed in India. Hmmm. Not impressed at all.The mission school storyline was a high point. Kind people looking out for the children. The pastor's wife desperate for social mobility and respect. I almost felt sorry for her but only almost. I felt the most compassion for her son and husband for having to put up with her whining and self pity.All the subtle and not so subtle political moves being made by both sides. Can't wait to see how that all plays out.Mostly I hated how the English behaved - the snobbery, entitlement and arrogance astounded me. Can't wait to see their comeuppance!