Entertainment : Review of TV Drama Series : "Small Island" (2009) [Old But Gold Masterpiece Theater Gem]

"Small Island" is a two-part drama adapted for television, included in the BBC Masterpiece Classic Collection, based on a novel by the same title written by Andrea Levy.

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“Small Island” is a BBC Masterpiece Theater presentation.  The name of the main character is Hortense, an idealistic “proper” young Jamaican woman who dreams of living in England and she will fulfill her dream! It may take a little bit of conniving but … she will make it happen!

The setting is the 1940s; during and after the World War II - Jamaica and London.

* Naomie Harris plays Hortense.  She is something else!!

If the name Naomie Harris sounds familiar, it should. She starred in the James Bond movie, “Skyfall”. At the end of the movie, she finally formally introduced to Mr. Bond as “Miss Moneypenny”.

Here's the plot in a nutshell.

Hortense has a friend who has a fiancé and that fiancé is in the military and intends to take the friend, who will be his wife, with him when he goes to England. Uh huh. That was the original plan. But Hortense figured out a way to get the guy to ditch the friend and take her to England instead.   Like I said:  She is something else!  :)

* David Oyelowo plays Gilbert, the fiancé, scratch that ex-fiancé … dot dot dash … husband of “convenience”.

David Oyelowo. That name sound familiar? It should. He was “Danny” in the popular BBC spook TV show, “MI-5”. Also chosen for the role of “Dr. Martin Luther King”, in the Oscar-nominated film “Selma” about the Civil Rights Movement in America.

“Small Island” is a love story and you will love all of the characters; the ones in the starring roles and the supporting roles. They are very realistic and you will feel like you're a part of their lives.

Authentic costumes, great scenery, believable dialogue, stellar performances, quality entertainment!

My one word to describe this masterpiece? Delightful!

Most memorable line? “Gilbert! I'm perishin' in this bed!” :)

Hortense dreams of England - Small Island - BBC

AZPM. “Masterpiece Classic: Small Island PREVEW.” YouTube, 23 Jan. 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqQ2fijnNGA.

NOTE:  This content was first published at Daily Two Cents; however that site shut down.  

Andrea Levy’s “Small Island” is a gem of a novel that brings #history to life in a way that feels deeply personal. Set between Jamaica & post-war Britain, it explores race, belonging, & the courage it takes to start over. : amzn.to/4uzvfUK 💙📚 #booksky #afflink #Kindle Adapted by #BBCMasterpiece

— [ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛʜʏʟ ꜰᴏx ᴀᴋᴀ ᴄᴍᴏɴᴇʏꜱᴘɪɴɴᴇʀ] 💖 (@cmoneyspinner.bsky.social) 2026-05-25T16:42:51.410Z

Ancient History : People and Places : Seven Wonders Plus One (or Two)

My late sister was an avid reader. She read anything and everything – books, newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, dictionaries. My appreciation for the joys of reading did not come until my university years. My sister's brain was a repository of all kinds of information. Why read? Just ask her your questions. :) She was the one who taught me about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. To this day, every time there is a mention of these “Wonders”, it opens up a floodgate of memories.

Found an article at Info Barrel and would you believe it? Nothing has changed. Yep. The pyramids, the Hanging Gardens, a statue of Zeus, etc.All seven of them are still holding their historical ground as the "Seven Wonders", marvels and monuments to man's ingenuity, intelligence, and skill.  Structures actually built without a CAD program.  (CAD = Computer Aided Design)

● REFERENCE:

OnlineInspiration. "The Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World." InfoBarrel.com. Hinzie Media Inc., 18 May 2014. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.

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Here's something my sister did not teach me but it has always been a wonder to me; two wonders if you count each person separately.

Two of the most influential people in the history of mankind. One of them, you can't find their grave or burial place. The other, there's a tomb but no body. Moses and Jesus.

You would think, what with them being prophets and notable leaders on a Divine mission, that they would have left some sort of indisputable undeniable physical trace of their existence on earth. Like maybe ... a bone fragment for DNA testing.

Not trying to be blasphemous, irreverent, or disrespectful. Don't want to offend any true believers out there. Let the record show I'm a true believer. OK? But it does make me wonder.  (O.o)

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“The tomb is now open and the Nazarene is gone.”

Pure Flix. “AD: The Bible Continues.” YouTube, 2 Feb. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ANOKSB060. 

That was the only impressive line in that TV series.  It was a very disappointing television show.  "... this production has got to be the most historically inaccurate, unbiblical presentation of a Bible story ever made!!"  (I'm quoting myself.)

Review:  TV Series : “A.D. The Bible Continues” Does Not Continue the Bible!

Historical Period Viki Original K-drama Series: The Red Sleeve (2021-2022); 17 episodes

The Red Sleeve Cuff (2021-2022); 17 episodes

This historical K-drama is a Viki Original series based on a novel of the same name. It's a fictionalized account of the love story of King Jeongjo and his royal consort Ui-bin Seong, but they are real historical figures. King Jeongjo is the 22nd monarch of the Joseon dynasty, and Ui-bin Seong (real name Seong Deok-im) was his royal consort. There were several pregnancies that resulted in miscarriages, one son lived, Crown Prince Munhyo.

This series focuses on the life of Seong Deok-im. She entered the palace at the age of ten (10) as a maid servant. Whereas all of the court ladies probably dreamed of being bedded by the king, Seong Deok-im rejected his advances. She did not want to become a concubine because she said she would no longer be able to have her own life. In other words, she would lose herself and only live for him.

Nevertheless, she fell in love with the king and became his favorite concubine, known as Royal Consort Sung Ui Bin. The series showed that she did give up her own life. When she was an ordinary court lady she could go out with friends, visit family, and enjoy the freedoms commoners enjoy. Once she became the king's concubine, her life was restricted to the palace. She spent the entire day just waiting for him to come to her chambers and rest his head in her lap. It was a life choice she made. Although she did not regret loving the king, she always knew she made a great sacrifice to live as the king's woman. She died in her early 30s and the king wrote on her epitaph about how much he had loved her.

P.S.  If you love Korean dramas, please visit my entertainment blog.  It has lots of K-Drama love.  Original source.

The Red Sleeve no.1, Korean Novel

Review: Detective TV Series: The Pinkertons (2014)

Finished watching "The Pinkertons", a TV series on Netflix. My review? Cute and adorable. Written for an audience with a childlike mind, who believe in the innocence of America and American ideals. Includes references to real historical people, places, and events. Pure fiction. OK.  Mostly fiction.  But keeps the actors employed. Corny! But the main characters and the supporting cast grow on you. Grade the acting as a B- and the script is a C+ at best. But you get hooked. They’re sort of endearing.  Closed out Season 1 with a cliffhanger.  I hate cliffhangers.  :)  What I hate even more is that there is no next season to get rid of the cliffhanger.  Ah well!  That's show biz, I guess.

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Per Wikipedia :

"The Pinkertons is a Canadian Western police procedural television series which features crime cases of the Pinkerton detective agency. The show is officially licensed with the Pinkerton detective agency,[3] and features stories based on actual cases from the Pinkerton detective agency archives dating to the 1860s."

Main Characters:

Martha MacIsaac, as Kate Warne, a Pinkerton agent and the first female detective in US history.

Jacob Blair, as William Pinkerton, the founder's son and also, a Pinkerton agent.

K-Drama: The Merchant: Gaekju (2015 Korean TV Series)

I heart K- dramas and especially the Korean historical period dramas;  movies or television series.  That's why I'm suggesting:  “The Merchant: Gaekju” (2015).

The English translation for the title is “God of Commerce” and it has 41 episodes.  With about 26 episodes left to view, I’m sharing this PRE-review.  By doing it this way, I’m less likely to accidentally blurt out the ending and spoil it for others who may want to see it.  

In today’s American business, we have what’s called bulls and bears. Back in the 17th-century Korean business world, not sure about the bulls and bears, but there were definitely snakes and Shamans.

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The main character is Chun Bong-Sam (played by Jang Hyuk), who never even wanted to be a merchant. Sadly his father died a tragic death when he was only 8 years old, and when he grew up, he stepped into his father's shoes and became a merchant too.

I have only watched 15 episodes. It’s taking me a while to complete this series because the plot’s unpredictability is driving me nuts!  (O.o)

You know how it is. You sit down to watch a movie or a series. You think you know what’s going to happen and how it will end and then … that’s not what happens!

Well for me, that has happened in several of the episodes. None of my predictions about the outcomes were correct.

Incredible! Doesn’t the scriptwriter know the rules of plot writing??!!!

The characters I liked were being killed off!

I’m only at episode 15!  I'm screaming! You can’t do this!! 

It is very upsetting.  But each episode has a "hook" that drives you to the next episode because ... you just have to know how it ends!  

Watch the trailer.

Content first published at Virily.com

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If You Liked This, You Might Also Like:

K-Drama: Boys Over Flowers (2009 Korean TV series) Gets My Five Stars

Six Flying Dragons (2015 Korean Drama TV Series) Worthy of 10 Stars

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016 Korean Drama TV Series)

Where to watch K-drama online?
Best Korean Movie & Drama Websites 2020 https://t.co/D44cQyQGM7 #kdrama #koreandrama #online #streaming #entertainment #Asiancinema #watchKoreandramaonline #movies pic.twitter.com/EPQZK3SdAU

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) May 1, 2020

Five (5) Korean Dramas That Are Less than 10 Episodes.

The popularity of Korean dramas continues to grow worldwide. Rakuten Viki does not only stream K-dramas but is investing in producing Viki Original content. Most fans of Korean drama have come to expect a series to be anywhere from 12 episodes to 50+ episodes. Believe it or not, there are some enjoyable series that are less than 10 episodes. Here is a list of five Korean dramas that are less than 10 episodes. All of these are streaming on the Viki platform.

Hyang Dan (2007) ~ 2 episodes

This is the story of how Hyang-dan (played by Seo Ji-hye), a beautiful servant girl, fell in love with the man who would become the hero of the people known as Il Ji Mae. 

Splash Splash Love (2015) ~ 2 episodes

A cute time-travel K-drama. Jang Danbi (played by Kim Seul-gi) is a high school student who wishes she could avoid a math test. She jumps on a puddle of water that turns out to be a portal. She time-travels back to the Joseon era and falls in love with the king. 

Must You Go? (2021) ~ 8 episodes

A time-travel drama based on a webtoon. Min Yoo Jung (played by Park Jung Yeon) dreams of becoming a successful pop musician. A talented musician from the Joseon Era ends up in modern-day Korea and crosses her path. Not sure how he got there or if he can return, he decides that he has the skills and talents to help her fulfill her dream. It turns out, however, that he is not the only time traveler. 

Strong Underdog (2023) ~ 6 episodes

Jung Woo (played by Lee Dae Hwi) is a high school student who is constantly bullied and has all kinds of bad luck. He just wants to persevere long enough to graduate. But he meets a transfer student who inspires him to stand up for himself. He decides to participate in a school's fighting tournament with the goal of taking down the school’s biggest bully. 

Finland Papa (2023) ~ 6 episodes

A Viki Original series. Yu Ri (played by Kim Bo Ra) is grieving over the loss of her grandmother. Depression is overwhelming her and she finds it difficult to carry on. A childhood friend encourages her to apply for a job at a restaurant called Finland Papa. It changes her life. 

Original source

Thanks for reading.

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Murdoch Mysteries (2008 ~ ) : Award-Winning Canadian TV Detective Series

Loyal fan of a television series that revolves around the crime-solving adventures of a Canadian Sherlock Holmes.  Yannick Bisson stars as William Murdoch. The TV series is based on characters from the novel series by Maureen Jennings.

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“Detective William Murdoch of the Toronto Constabulary”.

Love it when he says that! It’s how Mr. Murdoch introduces himself to others.



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The setting is the late 1800s / early 1900s. He often rides a bicycle to the crime scene. The main plus for this series, that most ladies will appreciate, is that William Murdoch is very easy on the eyes. But ladies. You can only ogle him. You can not touch. He has a love interest, Doctor Julia Ogden and he is hopelessly devoted to her. Though their relationship is strained by outside forces, when they work together and combine their intellects they create magic and solve the mystery!

Another plus is the references to or incorporation of historical figures into the plots. One episode had Sir Winston Churchill and another episode had Thomas Alva Edison. Don’t know much about the history of Canada or the relations between the governments of England and the United States of America during the time period. For me, this television program is very educational, as well as being an entertaining piece of historical fiction and romance.

Would recommend this series for binge-watching. If you’re not hooked after Season One, then don’t bother. The first episode of the first season hooked me and reeled me in. There is also a movie version that stars Keeley Hawes (Zoe from “MI-5”.)

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Links of Interest:

• 16 Reasons Everyone Should Be Watching “Murdoch Mysteries”

• Filey, Mike. “ History of Toronto Police a Little Different than Entertaining Murdoch Mysteries Show. ” Toronto Sun. Sun Publications, 4 Oct. 2014. Web. 28 Mar. 2017.

• Frey, Erin. “Murdoch Mysteries “. The Canadian Encyclopedia , 20 July 2018, Historica Canada. Accessed 09 October 2018.

Image credit: A real photograph of the Toronto Police in the 19th Century; William James Topley [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. (The TV show did a good job of recreating the time period.)
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Murdoch Mysteries, Season 1 ( https://t.co/u6wlqMsxU3 ) #entertainment #Mystery #crime ~ The #TVseries is based on characters from the novel series by Maureen Jennings. Stars #YannickBisson and #HeleneJoy ~ 1200+ Customer Reviews ~ Series rated 4.5 out of 5 stars pic.twitter.com/qiJwU9B4df

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) October 9, 2018

Murdoch Mysteries: Christmas Cases Collection ~ https://t.co/AWqBC1o7Vy ~ Detective William Murdoch and his team solve yuletide crimes in these three feature-length mysteries set in Edwardian Toronto, Canada. #entertainment #Mystery #crime ? #HappyHolidays! pic.twitter.com/lcTqbjoiB5

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) October 9, 2018

Except the Dying ( #MurdochMysteries Book 1 of 7 ) by #MaureenJennings for $9.99 https://t.co/YLiCX82l3S ~ Listen to Audible Sample ~ The #bookseries that inspired the award-winning #TVseries ~ #entertainment #books #booklovers #giftsunder10 #whiteelephant #giftexchange pic.twitter.com/DOK4gbKLwa

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) October 9, 2018