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52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Thoroughly Enjoyable "Spin Off" of a Classic Series!, December 11, 2004
This review is from: Thomas and Sarah (DVD)
Fans of Upstairs Downstairs (a series which I highly HIGHLY recommend, by the way) will be familiar with Sarah (Pauline Collins), the vivacious, conniving, mischievous, tale-telling under house/parlour maid who entered the Bellamys' employ in the first episode of that series, and who, like a bad penny, managed to turn up on the Bellamys' doorstep periodically during the first two series. Thomas (Collins' real-life husband, John Alderton) was the Bellamys' capable-but-just-as-conniving chauffeur. With a pregnant Sarah in tow, Thomas left the Bellamys' employ in order to start up his own garage, and we saw the last of those two characters at the end of the second series. It is a good many months after their last appearance at 165 Eaton Place that this 1979 "spin off" commences. It really goes without saying that it is for fans of Upstairs Downstairs that Thomas and Sarah was made, and if you enjoyed the former series, the latter really is a must see. Unlike Upstairs Downstairs, which is fairly high drama infused with a spattering comic relief here and there, this series is very much a comedy-drama--and it is simply delightful. This series can best be described as a series of adventures and escapades in the lives of Thomas and Sarah, with (for the most part) each episode being a separate and complete (not to mention highly entertaining!) story. With Sarah's penchant for foreign accents and tale-telling and the conniving and entrepreneurial spirit that both characters embody, the stage is set for some thoroughly enjoyable vignettes. Most of the episodes involve the couple trying their hands (and luck) at something new--like running a match-making agency, working in a boys' school, working as magicians, and so on. For all their efforts, however, they always seem to find themselves skint--and thus the need for another enterprise (and hence another enjoyable episode!). The series consists of thirteen 50-minute episodes and features guest appearances by Thora Hird (In Loving Memory, Last of the Summer Wine), Nigel Hawthorne (Yes Minister, The Madness of King George), and Anton Rogers (Lillie, May to December), each of whom appears in an episode. As it stands, the only thing that was less than satisfactory was the "conclusion" (if one can call it that) of the final episode, concerning which I will say only this: There is ambiguity, and it is sufficient to leave me wondering whether or not a second series was at least anticipated. But please don't be dissuaded from seeing this superb series merely on that account, for this is a series to be watched for the sheer enjoyment of the journey. The conclusion notwithstanding, this was one of the most enjoyable series I have seen, and it had our entire family eagerly awaiting each episode to see what these two endearing miscreants were going to get up to next! It is a series which I recommend unhesitatingly and indeed very highly to fans of Upstairs Downstairs--particularly to those for whom Sarah and Thomas were favourite characters.
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Delightful Spin-Off of Upstairs, Downstairs, January 29, 2006
This review is from: Thomas and Sarah (DVD)
Although I had seen all of "Upstairs, Downstairs," I didn't even know that "Thomas and Sarah" existed until I read about it as an offering from Edward Hamilton, Bookseller. He listed it for $20 so I immediately bought the DVDs. I'm so glad I did. Within a few days, I'd watched the entire 12-episode season. "Upstairs, Downstairs" fans will already be well acquainted with Sarah, the under-house parlor maid, and Thomas, the chauffeur of the Bellamy residence. This series, a spin-off, concerns the couple's further adventures. Each episode is completely different as they try to make a living in various occupations, often involving one mischievous scam or another. It's hardly surprising that Pauline Collins and John Alderton have perfect chemistry together, being husband and wife in real life, which makes whatever they do highly watchable. But no matter how outrageous or devious or cunning their frequently lawless activities on screen, their charm and likeability factors are always present. I particularly liked the episode in which Thomas and Sarah return to Thomas's small Welsh town, where Thomas's brother is a hell-and-brimstone minister (beautifully portrayed by Gary Raymond). Soon Sarah is uncovering family secrets and exposing hypocrisies that turn the town on its ear. The final episode ends with a cliffhanger, which many may find unsatisfactory. From what I understand, there was supposed to be a second season of this series, in which certain things from the first season would be revealed, but, due to a strike, the second season never came off. What a pity for all of us!
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Thoroughly Enjoyable "Spin Off" to a Classic Series!, February 19, 2003
Fans of Upstairs Downstairs (a series which I highly HIGHLY recommend, by the way) will be familiar with Sarah (Pauline Collins), the vivacious, conniving, mischievous, tale-telling under house/parlour maid who entered the Bellamys' employ in the first episode of that series, and who, like a bad penny, managed to turn up on the Bellamys' doorstep periodically during the first two series. Thomas (Collins' real-life husband, John Alderton) was the Bellamys' capable-but-just-as-conniving chauffeur. With a pregnant Sarah in tow, Thomas left the Bellamys' employ in order to start up his own garage, and we saw the last of those two characters at the end of the second series. It is a good many months after their last appearance at 165 Eaton Place that this 1979 "spin off" commences. It really goes without saying that it is for fans of Upstairs Downstairs that Thomas and Sarah was made, and if you enjoyed the former series, the latter really is a must see. Unlike Upstairs Downstairs, which is fairly high drama infused with a spattering comic relief here and there, this series is very much a comedy-drama--and it is simply delightful. This series can best be described as a series of adventures and escapades in the lives of Thomas and Sarah, with (for the most part) each episode being a separate and complete (not to mention highly entertaining!) story. With Sarah's penchant for foreign accents and tale-telling and the conniving and entrepreneurial spirit that both characters embody, the stage is set for some thoroughly enjoyable vignettes. Most of the episodes involve the couple trying their hands (and luck) at something new--like running a match-making agency, working in a boys' school, working as magicians, and so on. For all their efforts, however, they always seem to find themselves skint--and thus the need for another enterprise (and hence another enjoyable episode!). The series consists of thirteen 50-minute episodes and features guest appearances by Thora Hird (In Loving Memory, Last of the Summer Wine), Nigel Hawthorne (Yes Minister, The Madness of King George), and Anton Rogers (Lillie, May to December), each of whom appears in an episode. As it stands, the only thing that was less than satisfactory was the "conclusion" (if one can call it that) of the final episode, concerning which I will say only this: There is ambiguity, and it is sufficient to leave me wondering whether or not a second series was made (or at least anticipated!). If so, I'd certainly like to see it! But please don't be dissuaded from seeing this superb series merely on that account, for this is a series to be watched for the sheer enjoyment of the journey. The conclusion notwithstanding, this was one of the most enjoyable series I have seen, and it had our entire family eagerly awaiting each episode to see what these two endearing miscreants were going to get up to next! It is a series which I recommend unhesitatingly and indeed very highly to fans of Upstairs Downstairs--particularly to those for whom Sarah and Thomas were favourite characters.
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