This review doesn't contain a plot spoiler, just a comment about cast changes.I was watching Alastair Mackenzie in a Hallmark movie today and was reminded of how I missed (long for) Monarch of the Glen. As others have noted it was a great package: the beautiful scenery, the quirky characters, the variety of stories, the acting, the refreshing lack of violence and sex, the comedy-drama aspect, and the pleasure of watching these nice people. I plan to see it again soon, though the loss of many of the original characters by the time the show ends is a bit irritating. Also some of the story lines did not turn out the way I expected. Nevertheless, this is one of my goto comfort shows. Just watching the scenery alone is worth the time you spend viewing this.

Few TV series I have seen started off in such a promising fashion, Monarch of the Glen had it all--excellent actors, great scenery, pathos and hilarity.About half way through the series Richard Briers left the show and in my opinion the hilarity ended there. Julian Fellowes, Susan Hampshire and Alastair McKenzie were not able to keep the show on it's original course, but the writing seemed to change after the departure of Briers, and in my opinion not for the better.With the departure of Alastair McKenzie the writing really fell apart and the show descended into a rather dull 'soap' of silly affairs and even sillier pairings, and even the beautiful scenery could not save it.While this short review is critical of the last half of the series, I still think this is an excellent series at least until two or three episodes after the "death" of "Hector". A pity, as Briers and Fellowes were a riot!

The series, "Monarch of the Glen" is the best that telly has had to offer in a very long while. The characters are engaging and the dialogue entertaining without having to resort to the cheap trash of vulgarity and nudity.Neither does the programme stagnate its characters. Even the numpty and humorous Duncan is seen to grow into a more wise and yes, clever character who seeks to better himself while maintaining loyalty and compassion as his bywords.The scenery is just as much the star of the show yet it is not used as an excuse for slack plot standards. Indeed it is part and parcel of the plot.This is telly at it's best. Unfortunately most programmes do not aspire to such a standard. We look forward to it on DVD so that we may enjoy it time and again until another producer has the bottle to buck the trashy and cheapened standards of today's telly.

I am now home all day with my toddler and I told myself I would never descend to watching soap operas. However, I became totally hooked on this show when BBC America began running it at 5:00 pm. It has romance, hunks to look at (as well as gorgeous natural scenery) and also melodrama...but it is certainly many cuts above a "soap". The quirky characters are so much fun to watch. This show has some of the feel of Northern Exposure...but, as an Anglophile, I feel it is even more appealing.I really came to look forward to unwinding with this show near the end of each busy afternoon. More please!