South Riding

Anna Maxwell Martin, David Morrissey, Penelope Wilton, Douglas Henshall

Rating: D

Sarah Burton (Anna Martin) is a free-spirited young woman, which is a rare thing in the 1930's Yorkshire, England. Sarah applies to be Headmistress of a school for girls and helps Robert Carne's (David Morrissey) troubled daughter in the school. Overall she improves the school system and is liked by fellow staff and students. As a miniseries, other troubles brew over land that could make men rich if they invest in the right land.

South Riding had a very promising start, the few two episodes capturing your interest. The miniseries revolved around mystery of the landlord and his sick wife, an adulterous middle-aged man, and a young girl who excels in her study but has greater responsibilities. Sounds like a good show, right? Well, after trailing you along for two episodes and the promise to not disappoint in the last episode, something went horribly amiss. It was as if the last episode was cut short and the story ended on a very disappointing note. Of course this disappointment happens in the last half-hour, with a depressing ending. This miniseries deserves a "D" because of it's cruel deception that it would all end well.