Blandings: Series 2

P.G. Wodehouse is best known for his Jeeves stories (frequently adapted for stage, screen, and TV), but his hilarious tales of the goings-on at Blandings Castle have not received the same attention from filmmakers—making this BBC offering especially welcome. Timothy Spall heads up the cast as Clarence Threepwood, perpetually befuddled lord of the estate whose main interest is his prize pig, called The Empress (with whom he engages in serious conversation). Jennifer Saunders and Jack Farthing are also on hand as Clarence's demanding sister, Constance, and bubble-brained son, Freddie. All three actors happily throw themselves into their characters' goofy eccentricities, while Tim Vine—replacing Mark Williams from the first series—serves as an oasis of calm as the family butler, Beach. But much of the merriment in this second set is provided by assorted oddballs who descend upon the place—including Clarence's intrusive older sister, Charlotte (Celia Imrie); his troublemaking younger brother, Galahad (Julian Rhind-Tutt); the imperious Duke of Dunstable (Harry Enfield); and Dunstable's even more overbearing brother, Hannibal (John Sessions). Considerable time is also spent on giddily improbable romantic entanglements involving Freddie and his friends with various young women. Hardly a model of British restraint or subtlety, Blandings is flat-out farce targeting the absurdities of upper-class life, delivered with loads of mugging by the cast members, who seem to relish every over-the-top line and situation. The result is quite funny, albeit in a cartoonish sort of way. Compiling all seven episodes from the 2014 second season, extras include a photo gallery. Recommended. (F. Swietek)