“Not exactly Raffles, is it?”: Watching Tenko

[Mel O'Drama]

Series Three





Parts One and Two



A new tone could be felt immediately with this series. Indeed, something felt quite “off” for a good part of the first episode. It lacked energy and consequently felt very flat. I found myself getting increasingly irritated by aspects of the production that either didn’t exist before or were overcome by the ensemble.

Kicking things off with some badly acted strange new woman talking back to the guards seemed to undermine any sense of threat, partly because she didn’t seem afraid of them and partly because I didn’t care if she was anyway. The new faces in general haven’t grabbed me. There’s Chopsy Northern Woman who appears to be an attempt to fill Blanche’s shoes, though she lacks presence. There’s Plain Abby from Howards’ Way who’s so far spent much of her screen time… worrying that she’s too plain. There was Racist Mo from EastEnders for a bit, but she was quickly killed off. There might be some other new characters, but I can’t tell if they’re just Chopsy Northern Woman speaking slightly differently.

Even the familiar faces seemed to lack the lively three-dimensions they did before. Chirruping crickets during early scene - with Marion and Joss hissing whispers to one another during tenko - drowned out all the dialogue and meant I barely caught a word they said to one another. It was frustrating.

Well, my feeling that Vera wouldn’t make it to Series Three was accurate, it seems. She’s been killed off, even though it didn’t register when I saw her grave and not for some time into the episode, until someone commented at her graveside that she was “a nasty piece of work”. I don’t think it was said how she died. It’s difficult to imagine her succumbing to illness since she had an extra year and a half of nutrition and relative good living compared with the other women. But then we’re two years on again, so anything could have happened.

Likewise, I didn’t notice the girl from Series Two had been killed off for some time. I suppose Plain Abby is filling the gap left by her absence, and she is an improvement. Just.

Blanche once again has been despatched offscreen. This time on a permanent basis, since her grave was the one I did notice. It’s a shame to lose her between series once again. She deserved better, and this series needs all the help it can get.

At some point, things started to shift. A nice scene between Yamauchi and Christina in which he showed her a photo of his daughter and grandchild got back to the human connection at the heart of the series. And there was a nice job of creating sudden tension when Christina was suddenly dismissed among a whirlwind of activity, but not before sneaking a look at the orders to massacre the women before the Allies arrived at their camps.

This is the point at which things really started to work for me. The women rallying round and planning to fight back with stones Joss had been collecting. The discussion about which women should know about the orders and which they weren’t sure they could trust (Dorothy fell into the latter, due to her friendship with Shinya). The bustling of the Japanese guards - seen by Beatrice and Kate from the hospital window to be making frantic plans before an unplanned tenko - prompts the women into readiness, creating an electric atmosphere where every second counts.

Now, why Marion would choose to line the women up in front of the armed guards lined up facing them while listening to Yamauchi shouting about the unpleasant duty he is about to perform is beyond me. It would have made more sense to rush them before tenko, when they think the women have no idea. But I suppose that wouldn’t have been as heart-poundingly tense. And since Yamauchi’s unpleasant duty turned out to be announcing that the Japanese had surrendered, it was probably for the best.

Having been through so much, the surrender could only have felt like an anti-climax. And it did. This was amplified by the fact that the women have to remain in the camp until the situation outside has settled.

The following shift in tone was enjoyable. Particularly the moment in which Marion and Yamauchi walked to the office, she sat down in the chair and gave him permission to sit down. As in almost every Yamauchi scene, the respect between these two was tangible. It still feels strange characters to be learning about well-documented events such as the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki piecemeal as they unfold.

The call for retribution against Sato was perhaps unsurprising given that he was shown to be more tyrannical than ever. Chopsy Northern Woman was at the centre of it although nobody - including her - followed through, which felt like a minor cop out. Sato committing hara-kiri was equally unsurprising, but felt right for his character.

Kate seems particularly sulky and miserable so far this year. The only time she came to life was when she and Chopsy Northern Woman’s stole a lorry for an excursion. Only to sulk again when Chopsy Northern Woman had sex with the first man she clapped eyes on.

Now two Allied soldiers have arrived to take over, and with Yamauchi’s surrender there’s been an amicable parting of the ways as the women gain their freedom. Their departure from the third camp at the end of Part Two would have made a fitting end to the entire series. Where they - and the series - will go from here remains to be seen.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Oh im so with you on the "flat" comment but it does pick up

Chopsy Northern Woman who appears to be an attempt to fill Blanche’s shoes,

I always thought of her as "Annoying working class woman with a huge chip on her shoulder and not fit to lick the boots of Louise Jamieson" who never ever seemed to time her pregnancies right for Tenko (There is contraception available LJ lol)

It was a bit like having the dire bland, blonde newbies in Dallas (SJW et al) and thinking they could make up for Victoria P and co!

yes Verna and Miss Hassan didnt make it and poor Shinya also and thankfully Debbie - off to find an acting coach i hope but the new girl is simpering, sickly and does look like a boy!

The scene in which Marion and Yamauchi walked to the office, she sat down in the chair and gave him permission to sit down i found very moving and had a tear in my eye - there was a respect between the 2 people in that scene and something - im not sure what the word is - Noble/ a man of honour maybe about Yamauchi in that scene

Kate seems particularly sulky and miserable so far this year.

Maybe you will see why i find her very annoying, and you will get fed up of hearing about Tom!! I know i did!!!!!!!!

Chopsy Northern Woman had sex with the first man she clapped eyes on.

When i re watched it last month, i had seen a trailer for an episode of Corrie and thought the man looked familiar - so had to google his name, he is now going out with wonderful Maureen Lipman in Corrie - i have dipped in and out of Corrie during lockdown - only to watch her and Geoff type scenes and her "beau" is definitely the man who had his wicked way in the back of the truck with "Annoying working class woman with a huge chip on her shoulder"

Chopsy Northern Woman had sex with the first man she clapped eyes on.

Lizzie Mickery who played her went onto have quite a successful TV career as a writer and Producer including the Following and Messiah

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0585319/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm#producer

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Oh im so with you on the "flat" comment but it does pick up

That's good. Things did pick up quite a bit for me once the threat of massacre was there, and with the reaction to the Japanese surrender. Now that we're heading back to Singapore I suspect it might get better still.

I always thought of her as "Annoying working class woman with a huge chip on her shoulder and not fit to lick the boots of Louise Jamieson" who never ever seemed to time her pregnancies right for Tenko

I do feel a bit bad for the actress. It can't be easy coming into an established ensemble and acting as if you've known people for two years (a longer time than the first two series covered).

It's just that her lines are so obviously written for Louise Jameson I can "hear" Blanche in my head whenever she speaks. So I've mentally recast her. I think I'd have the same trouble with any actress playing this character.

It's probably more noticeable to me than it would have been back in 1984, because then there'd been a two year gap, whereas now I watched Maggie's first episode the night after Louise Jameson's final episode. And of course it doesn't help that a number of other characters are also now absent, so she stands out more.

The scene in which Marion and Yamauchi walked to the office, she sat down in the chair and gave him permission to sit down i found very moving and had a tear in my eye - there was a respect between the 2 people in that scene and something - im not sure what the word is - Noble/ a man of honour maybe about Yamauchi in that scene

It's a beautifully played scene from both. Burt Kwouk has really impressed me. I know I mentioned at the beginning that I associate him with comedy roles which was a little distracting, but he quickly won me over in his performance as Yamauchi. He's one of the characters that really added layers to the story, because of how conflicted he is about what he's done. And as you say, there's a special kind of respect in his scenes - especially with Marion and Christina.

There's a scene when he opens the store cupboard for the newly-free women to raid, and as they barge in he can clearly be seen smiling and is obviously happy that they are so excited. But then we learn that there are food and vital medicines from the Red Cross in there that could have saved lives, and Yamauchi must have deliberately held them back, and suddenly it's complicated again.

Maybe you will see why i find her very annoying, and you will get fed up of hearing about Tom!! I know i did!!!!!!!!

I do think Kate burnt out as a character fairly early on. She's been fine for most of the run, but never a standout. In Series Three she's borderline irritating and it's still early doors. Nellie was a far more interesting character, I think.

I do wonder if being the only Aussie helped ensure Kate stuck around. Since the series was an Anglo-Australian c0-production it was probably important to them to have an Aussie character.

When i re watched it last month, i had seen a trailer for an episode of Corrie and thought the man looked familiar - so had to google his name, he is now going out with wonderful Maureen Lipman in Corrie - i have dipped in and out of Corrie during lockdown - only to watch her and Geoff type scenes and her "beau" is definitely the man who had his wicked way in the back of the truck with "Annoying working class woman with a huge chip on her shoulder"

I've just looked him up: Peter Copley. He's been in loads of stuff. I must have seen him playing Egg's dad in This Life, even though I can't picture the character.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Series Three
Part Three


Going back to Raffles for the first time since the beginning of Series One has been nostalgically exciting. And another reminder of just how much has changed in that relatively short time.

It's heartwarming to see the women getting excited about cutlery, napkins and the indulgence of water that's used exclusively to wash hands. Joss knocking back the gin slings; Dorothy purloining the silver; Marion joyfully eyeing up the freely available writing paper.

Phyllis Bristow is wonderful. She perfectly captures this jolly hockey stick, roll up the sleeves, "come on gals" bundle of energy and how they can be simultaneously admirable and overwhelming. Elspet Gray is a familiar face. Even recently I've watched her in Fawlty Towers and dinnerladies. And she was unforgettable in Blackadder. So far, Phyllis could be my personal favourite of the roles in which I've seen her. And with a CV like hers, that's really saying something.

The entire series has really been about adjustment to new, dramatically different situations. This is no different. Singapore is not only drastically different to the camps, it's also very unlike the Singapore some of them left behind. The occasional hint or even sight of lawlessness - talk of looters; a collaborator being lynched while everyone turns a blind eye - shows there is much adjustment still to be made.

The continued fallout from their experiences at camp are quite touching. It's obvious that something is very wrong with Beatrice, and I'm wondering if this is leading up to one of the scenes that's imprinted in my memory from watching when I was young.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Phyllis Bristow is wonderful.

Isnt she, she is perfect in the role

It's obvious that something is very wrong with Beatrice,

She is the consummate actress, Steph Cole is good in everything and anything she does and surprisingly I remember very little about her time on Corrie / or scenes she was in,

I think of all the cast Ann Bell, Steph Cole and Veronica Roberts were the standouts from beginning to end and even in the Reunion - what agreat role and drama to be involved in and their friendships have lasted nearly 4 decades, says it all x

 

[Mel O'Drama]

She is the consummate actress, Steph Cole is good in everything and anything she does

She's fantastic. She can pull at your heartstrings or be incredibly funny. A wonderful actress.

surprisingly I remember very little about her time on Corrie / or scenes she was in,

I don't think I saw any of her scenes. She was Roy's Mum, wasn't she?

I think of all the cast Ann Bell, Steph Cole and Veronica Roberts were the standouts from beginning to end

They have all been consistently note-perfect.

Patricia Lawrence, Stephanie Beacham and Jean Anderson are three others who didn't put a foot wrong, even if they weren't in the entire run.

what agreat role and drama to be involved in and their friendships have lasted nearly 4 decades, says it all x

I can imagine that the competition was fierce when casting this series, because it's one of those very rare opportunities for women to play in very unglamorous conditions and in an almost entirely female ensemble outside of a family setting. Whoever else was auditioned, they certainly got the cream of the crop.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Series Three
Parts Four to Six


In a few lines of dialogue, yet another character has been permanently dispensed with offscreen. With Series Three being the final one, and the cast in place, it makes perfect sense for Hyem and Valery to make sure “t”s are crossed and “i”s dotted. And this is a series that’s never been squeamish about killing off its leads. All the same, with the original cast getting thinner and thinner, Nellie’s death seems more wasteful than ever. Perhaps that’s the point.

Word arriving of Nellie’s casual offscreen death echoes Sylvia and Blanche before her. As a viewer I perhaps experienced some degree of hope that, since I didn’t see what happened to them, there’s a possibility that they will return for a happy reunion.

Blanche’s offscreen death is arguably the biggest waste of all. And the void left by her absence is glaring whenever Maggie is onscreen, since it’s painfully apparent that she’s filling in. Inadequately. This was most obvious in a scene where Maggie spoke to Beatrice about Nellie’s crush on Sally, despite never having met either character. There was dialogue to cover it (“I’ve heard all about Nellie”, blah blah blah). But it just wasn’t enough. Unlike Jean Anderson, Lizzie Mickery hasn’t successfully given her “substitute” character anything to make it her own. So watching her scenes is akin to seeing a theatre performance where someone is understudying an actor you’d bought the ticket to watch. It can only ever disappoint.

The latest crushing blow to the cast is the departure of Dorothy. As I write, she’s on the verge of leaving and will, I imagine, be gone by the beginning of Part Seven. She’s been put through the mill in the last few episodes, from finding her bungalow in ruins to being attacked by a lynch mob for being perceived as a collaborator after Metro Goldwyn gossiped about her relationship with the guards. But the thread of hope that has run through her story has been beautiful.

More than perhaps any other character, Dorothy represents survival, and overcoming adversity despite all the odds. Her determination not to be driven out of the area by the mob of women is equalled by her determination to restore the ruined bungalow, which saw her simply roll up her sleeves and get on with it.

Dorothy’s journey on re-entering the world outside camps has distinct echoes of what we saw Dorothy go through at the very beginning. She begins with a state of shell-shock and hopelessness, but then finds it in herself to go into action. Seeing her glee on finding the set of Hepplewhite chairs, I couldn’t help being reminded of her excitement when being able to purchase an egg from the trader to feed Violet. Once again, the happiness is momentary: the chairs are repossessed, she is beaten up and is dealt another blow with the death of her mother.

But there’s never a sense that Dorothy is defeated. Just as she found the will to survive in camp by living according to her own rules, so she’s doing the same now. And it turns out her rules are compatible with living a life of grace. Now that the grime is gone from hair and teeth, she’s becoming everything she might despise being viewed as: a nice, wholesome, middle class young woman, whose determination to carve a place for herself in the world while refusing charity is admirable. Indeed, there was one scene with her scrubbing Marion’s back in the bath where I didn’t even recognise Dorothy. It was only when she returned to her familiar bed that I realised who she was. It’s no coincidence that, despite a series of tragedies, Dorothy’s final frame in Part Six shows her beaming with happiness. And she’s earned it.

Balancing out the departing and departed characters, there have been some new and returning characters.

The former are represented by Jake Haulter and Stephen Wentworth. Jake has an Austin motorcar, which is handy for getting characters from A to B. He’s been described (by a returning character) as a “wide boy”, no less. So far he’s pretty innocuous and he has the disadvantage of being on the receiving end of Maggie’s charms, which reduces his watchability. Because who cares?

Stephen is another matter. He’s a friend of the legendary Monica Radcliffe - Joss’s oft-mentioned but unseen old chum who she’s recently learnt has died. Joss has formed a friendship with him after realising they have a mutual acquaintance, and their sparring has been great fun to watch. Like Jake, he feels second-tier - that’s just the curse of being a male in this series. But he’s the best kind of supporting player: one that shows interesting new dimensions in the main characters.

Clifford, naturally, is one of the returnees. After several episodes of Marion hand-wringing and lip-trembling over the lack of news, he’s shown up at Raffles and whisked her reluctantly back to their old home.

Coming out of this storyline - through the Jefferson’s missing servants - has also been a discussion around the massacres of Chinese natives by the Japanese. And also many natives’ now view the British very differently. Gone is the subservience, and in its place is a fierce determination to be free from their reign. It’s a complicated moment in history, handled with sensitivity by the writers who explore it organically through character without dwelling on it.

The writing around Marion suddenly lacking purpose has been quite compelling. She’s now under orders not to do any housework, and finds there’s little to do but drink to try to switch off from wondering what her friends are doing.

The distance between Marion and Clifford as they struggle to reconnect shows how the consequences of this prolonged, enforced separation impact on many even after the “happy ending”. Marion no longer seems to recognise this man whose view of the world is as parochial, simple and immutable as hers is now broad, complex and ever-changing. Seeing them in the familiar set from the first episode - where doubt was beginning to set in for Marion even then - reinforces once again how much further apart they now are.

We’ve got to “see” the events we’ve witnessed through a different prism, as Marion told Clifford about Lillian’s betrayal, and Clifford has ranted about Yamauchi, while Marion sees things differently. There’s also been a betrayal of sorts, as Clifford - without her knowledge or consent - has handed in Marion’s diary to be used as evidence by the war crimes department, possibly dragging her friends’ names through the mud in the process.

Most telling is that Marion is not willing to return to England - and be reunited with her son - until her girls are settled into their new lives.

The most exciting return of all has been that of Sister Ulrica who arrived just in time to support Dorothy through her last days in Singapore. In a world where absent characters are routinely killed off through dialogue, Ulrica is a very welcome face indeed. She’s been greatly missed. And her previously brilliant white habit is now whiter than ever.

Meanwhile, Beatrice’s discovery that she is losing her sight has given us the chance to show her angry, lashing out and terrified. Stephanie Cole has done all three brilliantly. And I’ve come to expect no less.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Blanche’s offscreen death is arguably the biggest waste of all. And the void left by her absence is glaring whenever Maggie is onscreen, since it’s painfully apparent that she’s filling in. Inadequately

Absolutely, there is nothing endearing about her and you can imagine Louise Jamieson saying her words, she never does get rid of the large chip on her shoulder and i never warmed to her character or the other girl Abby in both S3 and Reunion

I believe Veronica Roberts was written out sooner as she had a part in a play and had to fly home for rehearsals with a ?? Russian director (Ive forgotten)

You need to watch the Reunion - its wonderful - and she doesnt allow Dotty to become a victim, she is a survivor and good luck to her, also liked her relationship with Jake Houlter - i guess A Del Boy of Singapore but more successful. I think he is a welcome addition to the cast

Its also strange to watch Marion, so in control in the camp, suddenly relegated to role of the little wife and morphs into Sue Ellen who needs a drink to pass the time of day and seeing her husbands disgust as she shovels food in her mouth like there is no tomorrow and his jealousy of her relationship with her inmates.

And Stephanie Cole, beautifully written, played and acted - there is such a sense of pity for her as we know what she doesnt yet know about practising medicine

Kate continues to be annoying Kate for me!! Tom should be glad he was in hospital and not having to listen to that voice on a daily basis.

Also have to add early 2o00s i went to Singapore and went to see some of the War graves, the grounds were beautiful, immaculately kept and so nice that the War Graves Commission has not forgotten the people who died in Far East in WW2.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

you can imagine Louise Jamieson saying her words

That's the biggest problem I have this series. I'd have preferred there to be no substitute at all and focus more on the remaining characters, but I imagine the scripts were already written and Blanche was too heavily featured to be easily written around. I suppose this replacement character is slightly preferable to a recast, but it's so obvious part of me wonders why not just go all the way.

I believe Veronica Roberts was written out sooner as she had a part in a play and had to fly home for rehearsals with a ?? Russian director (Ive forgotten)

Ah - interesting. With there only being four episodes left I'd just assumed it was by design so that things started to wrap up. It felt very organic anyway, so that's good.

You need to watch the Reunion - its wonderful

It's included in my DVD box set, so you can be sure I'll dive into it very soon after finishing the series!

Its also strange to watch Marion, so in control in the camp, suddenly relegated to role of the little wife and morphs into Sue Ellen who needs a drink to pass the time of day and seeing her husbands disgust as she shovels food in her mouth like there is no tomorrow and his jealousy of her relationship with her inmates.

Yes. It's an interesting new take on the character, and it feels very authentic since we've been on such an intense journey with her.

And Stephanie Cole, beautifully written, played and acted

Oh yes. She's just fantastic.

Also have to add early 2o00s i went to Singapore and went to see some of the War graves, the grounds were beautiful, immaculately kept and so nice that the War Graves Commission has not forgotten the people who died in Far East in WW2.

Wow - that's amazing. And I'm sure it would be a very powerful experience to see those graves. As you say, it's nice that they are being commemorated and remembered in this way.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Series Three
Part Seven



The opening of this instalment - Joss being bundled onto a lorry along with Christina’s uncle - is a nice example of the series’ intelligent pacing. One could easily be forgiven for thinking you’d missed an episode which had ended with Joss feeling a hand upon her shoulder. Anne Valery gives the viewer credit to be able to catch up as events unfold.

Metro Goldwyn has been a reliably enjoyable part of this series since almost the very beginning. Mostly being unhelpful from the sidelines. This is perhaps the definitive Domenica Van Meyer episode, as she reflects on her losses and comes to terms with the reality of her new life.

There’s a lovely scene where she hovers outside the pawnbrokers, then tries to hide against the wall when she recognises two women walking towards her. Just when she thinks she’s saved face, one of them takes great delight in saying hello and they walk off sniggering. Even in the queue at the pawnbrokers, with locals whom she’s never met and will never see again - and who possibly don’t even understand English - she loudly tells one of them that she has no call for such places but is pawning the jewellery for a bedridden friend. This remains her guilty secret until she later confides in Joss, whose sympathy is balanced by pragmatism and a stiff upper lip. They’ve all made sacrifices, she points out.

The icing on the cake is the interview Metro Goldwyn has given to a Dutch newspaper, talking of her heroism and sacrifices during her internment. Best of all is the way in which we hear about the article: from Joss, who hilariously - and perfectly - mimics Van Meyer’s accent and tone while telling Beatrice of the content. Domenica’s claims include nobly giving up her stretcher while being at death’s door and being marched to a new camp. This is enjoyably ironic to anyone who watched the first part of Series Two, but given her attitude at the time, one could easily understand how she might see it that way.

On hearing about this, furious Beatrice goes on the warpath which is a magnificent vision to behold. The dressing down Van Meyer receives - and the fact that she’s then sent to Coventry by most of the women - increases empathy no end. Especially since her recent experiences at the bank and pawnbrokers are known only to the viewer at that point.

In fact, there’s practically nobody who hasn’t been on the receiving end of Beatrice’s fury these last few episodes as she rails at the world in general and finds herself with little tolerance for others’ problems.

The biggest schism faced by the women since being freed - and quite possibly in the entire series - has come from their differing outlook over Yamauchi’s war crimes. Beatrice can’t wait to go on record about the people who suffered and died in his camps, and the lives that could have been saved if he hadn’t withheld the vital food, vitamins and medicines until after the surrender. Sister Ulrica says she will not testify as it’s best to let go of the past and focus on the good. Christina (who has visited Yamauchi in his cell, supervised by It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’s Nobby Clarke) argues that Yamauchi was also good with them. This is a sentiment with which Marion wholeheartedly agrees. Marion and Clifford’s awkwardness is edging into open hostility with Marion’s decision not to testify, and their growing distance. And she’s ordering the “same again” with alarming regularity at the bar.

More and more, Christina is feeling outcast. Her struggle of balancing her dual heritage with racial divides has been even more prominent now that she is free and dealing with a system of red tape that is biased against her (when the women received money on moving into Raffles, Christina saw the paperwork which said clerks could use discretion when paying out to non-white people). Now the arrest of her Chinese uncle has clouded things further. She’s also learnt that her seventeen year old cousin was executed for smuggling rice into Changi for British prisoners of war. After battling in the early days to be recognised for being as British as any of the women, now Christina increasingly talks about “you British” when speaking to her friends. The system of societal division is now rearing its head among these friends. How can this end well?

 

[Barbara Fan]

from Joss, who hilariously - and perfectly - mimics Van Meyer’s accent and tone while telling Beatrice of the content. Domenica’s claims include nobly giving up her stretcher while being at death’s door and being marched to a new camp. This is enjoyably ironic to anyone who watched the first part of Series Two, but given her attitude at the time, one could easily understand how she might see it that way.

On hearing about this, furious Beatrice goes on the warpath which is a magnificent vision to behold. The dressing down Van Meyer receives - and the fact that she’s then sent to Coventry by most of the women - increases empathy no end. Especially since her recent experiences at the bank and pawnbrokers are known only to the viewer at that point.

Wonderful scenes and when Joss is telling the story you can picure Van Meyer on her stretcher or complaining about just about everything - not the heroic woman who saved a camp with ehr daring deeds and standing up to the guards

supervised by It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’s Nobby Clarke

I had forgotten that , he is pub landlord Mike of the Nags head in OFAH to me

Marion and Clifford’s awkwardness is edging into open hostility with Marion’s decision not to testify, and their growing distance. And she’s ordering the “same again” with alarming regularity at the bar.

Yes its very noticeable and he had rather an "easy war" compared to his wife who suffered at the hands of the Japanese, She is morphing into Sue Ellen and Christina is slowly turning from meek and mild Christina to someone who is now questioning her upbringing and "her Britishness" and finding herslef out of favour with some of her camp colleagues who felt she had an easier ride working in the office for Gen Yamauchi and never had to get ehr hands dirty at the factory.

Time will tell @Mel O'Drama - the outcome for all the women involved

 

[Mel O'Drama]

when Joss is telling the story you can picure Van Meyer on her stretcher or complaining about just about everything - not the heroic woman who saved a camp with ehr daring deeds and standing up to the guards

Yes. I'd almost like to have read the Dutch newspaper article in full - just to see what other wild claims she made.

he is pub landlord Mike of the Nags head in OFAH to me

Oh yes - of course. I looked that up while I was watching It Ain't Half Hot, Mum recently. I was half convinced he'd been Kenny Beale in EastEnders, but realised I was actually thinking of his OFAH role.

The IAHHM connection almost works, since that was set in British colonies during WWII (they even had an episode featuring the Japanese surrender), so I can almost imagine that Nobby was somehow moved to Changhi.

Yes its very noticeable and he had rather an "easy war" compared to his wife who suffered at the hands of the Japanese

Someone mentioned that he has guilt over it, and that makes a lot of sense.

Christina is slowly turning from meek and mild Christina to someone who is now questioning her upbringing and "her Britishness" and finding herslef out of favour with some of her camp colleagues who felt she had an easier ride working in the office for Gen Yamauchi and never had to get ehr hands dirty at the factory.

Christina's been fascinating this series, because more than any of the others her relationship to the other women is so different to what we've seen before.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Series Three
Part Eight



Ah - the days when a seventeen year old girl was so innocent that a pregnancy scare happens because a boy has touched her on the tummy. I was a bit unclear on the tone of this scene. It started off as an implied rape until realisation dawned for Beatrice and Maggie that their perspective was quite different to Alice’s, whose naivety around boys was so extreme that she didn’t even theoretically know what sex might look like. It was almost comical, particularly as high emotion isn’t Cindy Shelley’s forte. But the scenes that surrounded it were very nice: Beatrice refusing to improve Alice’s tango; Alice trying to shake off Van Meyer’s imposing chaperoning; and a quite touching scene in the bathroom at Raffles where Beatrice and Alice talk and Alice realises she’s far less worldly than the others.

Meanwhile, Maggie thinks she actually is pregnant from her jeeping episode with Peter Copley on The Road Between Two Camps. Once again, there are reminders that her story is actually intended for Blanche. Most notably the line to Beatrice that she’s been pregnant before, which took me instantly back to that wonderfully atmospheric night-time scene in which Blanche shared a cigarette with Dorothy and told her about the child she’d given up for adoption. In this context, the line about being pregnant before is a powerful one. Until I remember that it’s now spoken by a substitute character in whom I feel almost no investment. Maggie is an odd character because we’ve seen practically nothing of her struggles in the camps, and yet we’re being asked to invest in a story about her life being rebuilt. There was one scene in the previous episode in which she spoke about her background to Jake where she felt like her own character. But there was also that moment where she spoke in detail about Blanche’s death, and it felt all wrong.

The oft-mentioned Tom has become the series’ latest off-screen fatality. Claire Oberman managed to cry without getting snot all over the back of her hand, which is a welcome first. Van Meyer’s reaction on hearing the news was very funny. Having a turn and needing to sit down on the bed and making it very much all about her (“imagine how Kate feels”, said Beatrice pointedly).

Sister Ulrica steals every scene she’s in. First we’ve seen her visit the bar at Raffles and feel very daring. Now she’s rebelliously shown up at Tom’s Protestant funeral because her heart told her it’s the right thing. These scenes are beautiful to watch. She broke my heart a couple of episodes ago when she waited until Dorothy had walked off and then quietly said (to nobody) “Don’t go”.

Joss has made a number of comments about feeling tired or past it. Now she’s outright wondering how much longer she can live when so many young ones have died. I do hope she makes it to series’ end (and hopefully the Reunion) but I suppose now everyone has their freedom, every day counts and anything else is a bonus.

Well, not everyone has their freedom. Marion has been to visit Yamauchi and Clifford is not happy. It’s interesting that Marion seeing Yamauchi’s lack of freedom and choice has given her perspective on her own. Hence the conversation with Clifford in which she said she wanted them to separate.

 

[Barbara Fan]

particularly as high emotion isn’t Cindy Shelley’s forte.

very true, she is one who added very little to the cast of Tenko. Same goes for Maggie

The oft-mentioned Tom has become the series’ latest off-screen fatality.

A blessing for Tom IMHO, can you imagine being married to Kate?? As if being a POW wasnt enough?

Sister Ulrica steals every scene she’s in. First we’ve seen her visit the bar at Raffles and feel very daring. Now she’s rebelliously shown up at Tom’s Protestant funeral because her heart told her it’s the right thing. These scenes are beautiful to watch. She broke my heart a couple of episodes ago when she waited until Dorothy had walked off and then quietly said (to nobody) “Don’t go”.

It was lovely to see her break out from the traditions and conformities of being a Nun. Its very sad that she died in early 1990s and didnt live longer.

Well, not everyone has their freedom. Marion has been to visit Yamauchi and Clifford is not happy. It’s interesting that Marion seeing Yamauchi’s lack of freedom and choice has given her perspective on her own. Hence the conversation with Clifford in which she said she wanted them to separate.

Clifford and Marion - not a happy union, and its hard for him to see his wife a very different person from the pre WW2 dutiful little wife.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

she is one who added very little to the cast of Tenko.

Alice and Maggie both have the same problem: that we never got to know them in camp apart from their very last days there. So they have less resonance.

Cindy Shelley has the advantage of not being an obvious replacement for another character. By virtue of her age she could be seen as replacing Daisy (though with her background she's perhaps closer to Debbie). But unlike Maggie she feels very much her own character. She hasn't wowed me, but I've found her likeable enough to flesh out the cast.

It was lovely to see her break out from the traditions and conformities of being a Nun.

Yes. Especially being such a strict Roman Catholic. What happened between her and the nasty priest in Series Two makes her freedom seem more daring... and more gratifying.

Its very sad that she died in early 1990s and didnt live longer.

She's a wonderful actress. I have seen her in other things, but Sister Ulrica is such an incredible performance.

Clifford and Marion - not a happy union, and its hard for him to see his wife a very different person from the pre WW2 dutiful little wife.

This aspect has been really interesting, because I'm sure it reflects the reality for a number of people who lived through internment. The change is so great and the people so different that it's impossible to find common ground anymore. It's really been about Marion finding a purpose, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to her when her friends start going their separate ways.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Series Three
Parts Nine and Ten


And so it’s over. At least my journey through the series proper. But I still have the Reunion to watch.

Domenica’s story in the last two episodes was quite touching. She swung wonderfully between comedy and pathos. There was a great line about her husband (“If he can’t be alive he could at least be properly dead”). Then it’s revealed that he’s alive. And then comes the further twist that she’s unhappy about him being alive. Relief over death has been quite a theme in this series. Just an episode or two before, Kate expressed similar relief that Tom had died. Van Meyer asking Christina to come and visit her was a nice touch, especially that little moment when she followed up Christina’s polite refusal with a meek little “Please”.

Marion and Clifford’s reconciliation filled me with a warm fuzzy feeling. It’s been unexpected, but then Tenko has a way of appearing to be heading in one direction and then turning expectations on their head. They’ve been through a very believable difficult adjustment period, and I’m not convinced that their best efforts will be rewarded, but I do applaud them for giving it their very best. Marion forgetting about the picnic while spending time with Clifford is perhaps symbolic that she is finally beginning to accept the new status quo and is hopeful that she can find a new purpose that isn’t about her being a leader or a bored housewife. Just as Clifford offering to wait while Marion speaks to the downhearted Van Meyer is symbolic of his new willingness to try and value what’s important to Marion, rather than fight it.

It was a nice touch to give Alice her happy ever after a little ahead of the others, giving more space to focus on more familiar faces. The ideal would have been for Maggie to leave with Alice too. It was appreciated that a little effort was (finally) made to give Maggie her own backstory in the last episode or so with the rather dark reveal that her father had impregnated her and hanged himself in prison causing her to lose the baby. It did feel belated, but this perhaps gives an idea of the point at which the writers knew they were writing for Lizzie Mickery rather than Susan Jameson.

Joss and Stephen were great fun together, sparring away. And it’s good to see Beatrice get some of her fire back and she, too, has had some great head butting with Stephen. I’d say that Joss’s death has been foreshadowed enough through Series Three that it wasn’t a huge surprise. Even though the scene was subtle I actually felt as Beatrice walked away at the hospital that it would be their final scene together. And when she returned and the nurse said asked Beatrice to wake the sleeping Joss, I knew that she was dead. And because the writing led the audience in the right direction, I appreciated how we could tastefully cut away to Beatrice coming to break the news to her friends. And even that went for the less is more approach, with us not needing to hear Bea say the words.

Joss has been a favourite character of mine, and I’m very glad she was given a nice, peaceful send off, remaining fiery and a little mischievous until the very end of the series. The sight of her stone and then her old hat being thrown onto her coffin was very moving. One could almost imagine Beatrice and Stephen’s squabbling and affectionate banter over The Monica Radcliffe Foundation leading to a spin-off.

Earlier in Series Three, I had a feeling that later episodes would focus on the trial of Yamauchi, perhaps with a time lapse here and there to move things forward. It could have been interesting, but I liked what we got. Yamauchi featured a lot less than I expected (even though we saw a lot more of him than ever before thanks to his wardrobe. Now I know what you meant, BF!!!). But it’s right that the focus should be on the women who have left the camp. As always, Yamauchi's scenes in Series Three showed a quiet dignity that brought a humanity and suggested that there is more than one side to the story. I especially loved that he knew about Marion's diary, and that was foreshadowed by Christina's less-than-subtle paper stealing when she worked in his office (he even comically expressed surprise in an earlier episode when Christina left the office without taking paper). So again, it's all part of a carefully woven skein.

The beach picnic was wonderful. It’s so good to see everyone together and dressed up in their best Forties clothes. It’s perhaps a hint of things to come in the Reunion, and Kate’s suggestion of the women reuniting in Singapore in 1950 will come to fruition, I’m sure. But how different will everyone’s lives be by then?

It was inevitable that Marion would have the last word of Series Three, as she did with the first two (and no doubt will again at the end of the Reunion). But the way it was done was unexpected. Her almost looking into the camera as she said “Well, that’s over” could have been jarring, but by this point my connection to the characters was so strong it was like looking into the eyes of an old friend.

 

[Barbara Fan]

I was waiting desperately for you to get to the final epiosde @Mel O'Drama to see what your thoughts are on the show and its ending

I did like the relationship between Clifford and Marion in the final epiosde that there is now an understanding on both sides to be patient with one another and a little bit of give and take.

Joss, Steven and Beatrice were a good trio but sadly for Joss camp imprisonment had taken its toll and despite being plucky, strong and a formidable force her old body gave way and succombed to a chest infection. I loved Jean Anderson in the show, one of the best castings since the originals and she brought so much into the show , a wealth of acting, knowledge and experience. I will miss her.

(even though we saw a lot more of him than ever before thanks to his wardrobe. Now I know what you meant, BF!!!).

Poor Burt Kwouk"!! Now you know what I mean, wardrobe didnt need to spend too much there - I loved his scenes with Marion and it did show that even in war, and adverstity there was a degree of humanity in his behaviour and that he was following orders from above - having said that so were German Nazis and there is little sympathy to be had with such appalling / disgusting acts of human behaviour.

My friends dad was in a Jap POW camp and it was shocking what happened to him and i totally get why he hated all things Japanese for the barbaric way he was treated out there.
But war makes people do awful things

“Well, that’s over”

it was apt that the final words went to Marion - stoic, a true leader, strong and supportive to her inmates, When so many series (Dallas for one) disappoint on the final ending of the show, I dont think Tenko could have been bettered.

Wonderful show, cast, storylines, ground breaking in many ways and a show that could make you smile and cry in the same episode

Gets an A+ from me, loved your reviews @Mel O'Drama - thanks for taking me on the ride once more and thanks to @Alexis 1st time round, its one of the best DVDs i have ever bought and i will watch it again and again

Love BF xxx

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I was waiting desperately for you to get to the final epiosde @Mel O'Drama to see what your thoughts are on the show and its ending

Yes - here we are. No more worry about spoilers, which is great. But also no more episodes, which is not so great.

I loved Jean Anderson in the show, one of the best castings since the originals and she brought so much into the show , a wealth of acting, knowledge and experience. I will miss her.

Agreed. She just slotted perfectly into the cast and the chemistry was great with everyone. Definitely the best addition to the original cast for me.

Poor Burt Kwouk"!! Now you know what I mean, wardrobe didnt need to spend too much there

No indeed. Tenko seems very well-researched and accurate in general, so I'm assuming there's some accuracy in Japanese prisoners being dressed this way. Either way, it's most undignified. Even though Burt Kwouk managed to maintain some of Yamauchi's quiet dignity and authority, which is very impressive.

My friends dad was in a Jap POW camp and it was shocking what happened to him and i totally get why he hated all things Japanese for the barbaric way he was treated out there.
But war makes people do awful things

Yes. Some of those sentiments are easier to understand when you think of what people must have gone through. And I imagine we only know the half of it.

When so many series (dallas for one) disappoint on the final ending of the show, I dont think Tenko could have been battered.

It's such a well-constructed series from beginning to end. It's so easy to tell it was carefully planned and written.

Wonderful show, cast, storylines, ground breaking in many ways and a show that could make you smile and cry in the same episode

Absolutely. It's wonderful.

loved your reviews @Mel O'Drama - thanks for taking me on the ride once more

Glad you've enjoyed it, BF. It's been a fun ride for me.

i will watch it again and again

It's definitely a keeper for me, too.

 

[Alexis]

I didn't want to even comment much in the thread in case I accidentally spoiled something. I have a tendency to ramble sometimes and stuff would slip out. I did enjoy reading your thoughts on it though. I am glad you've enjoyed it. I mean, how could you not? LOL Some really amazing acting and performances. It's a really special show and I am so glad I remembered about it way back when I bought it. I cant remember now where I first saw the show. It must have been on late night repeats at some stage in the 1990s, when I probably shouldn't have been watching it. My mum worked nights at the time and I would often stay up late watching stuff, I shouldn't have been watching. It's also how I got into Prisoner too.
I'm guessing it was on the BBC? Maybe a late night repeat on BBC2? I will always remember that the opening credits just hooked and intrigued me right away. Then I love anything about WW2. Then the cast. Obviously Stephanie Beacham was the one I knew at the time, but there were so many other great actresses too. Stephanie Cole, Louise Jameson, Ann Bell, Jean Anderson. There was a real intimacy and real closeness in it all. When I got the DVDs I couldn't stop watching. I was shocked and amazed at how good, and how gripping it was. A really brilliant show.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I didn't want to even comment much in the thread in case I accidentally spoiled something. I have a tendency to ramble sometimes and stuff would slip out.

Oh gosh - that's really thoughtful of you. I'm sure you'd have managed to keep me spoiler-free. Well - maybe just a teaser here and there.

I did enjoy reading your thoughts on it though. I am glad you've enjoyed it.

It's been a fantastic watch for me. My partner has said more than once that it's amazing. Coming from someone who's usually fairly indifferent about a lot of the series we end up watching, that's an incredible compliment.

It's a really special show and I am so glad I remembered about it way back when I bought it.

Special sums it up perfectly. There's a magic at work that makes it feel really meaningful and important.

I cant remember now where I first saw the show. It must have been on late night repeats at some stage in the 1990s, when I probably shouldn't have been watching it.

Ha ha. Getting into TV trouble at such a young age!!

I must have watched some episodes when I was young as my Mum loved the series and all the characters are familiar to me. But I can only remember fragments of watching, and even then I'm half convinced my memory is playing tricks. I can remember a woman being slapped by a guard for talking back, which I think must have been from one of the early episodes. And I could swear I watched an episode where someone collapsed and died with a brain haemorrhage while a group of women were walking. But as that didn't happen at all in the series I must be mixing it up with something else that was on past my bedtime.

I love anything about WW2.

I've done a whole lot of Googling while watching specifically about Asia during WWII; POW camps; the Battle of Singapore and other events that are the backdrop of the series. It's eye-opening stuff and very grim. But fascinating.

Then the cast. Obviously Stephanie Beacham was the one I knew at the time, but there were so many other great actresses too. Stephanie Cole, Louise Jameson, Ann Bell, Jean Anderson. There was a real intimacy and real closeness in it all.

They were just wonderful and yes, there was a genuine intimacy that could be felt. You can tell they spent a lot of time with each other and knew each other really well.