This is the second and final season of the PBS series about the waning days of British colonialism in India. Originally intended to run for five seasons, continuing the narrative into the 1940s, the story has been pared down to cover a relatively brief span in the ‘30s, concentrating on an ambitious civil servant (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) who—under the tutelage of the grande dame (Julie Walters) presiding over the exclusive social club at Simla—schemes to become the new Viceroy, and an Indian (Nikesh Patel) who is torn between his desire to rise within the colonial system and his friendships with members of the resistance. Woven into the plot are the men's romantic attachments (which carry a good deal of social and political freight), and numerous secondary narrative threads, most of which focus on the chasm between rulers and ruled. While the debut season was set in 1932, this skips ahead to 1935, managing to resolve many of the hanging issues while also adding some colorful new characters, including a calculating maharajah (Art Malik) and his equally manipulative mistress (Rachel Griffiths). The season also features episodes of high drama—not only familial flare-ups, but also terrorist attacks and an earthquake. Handsomely made, with rich period detail and magnificent visuals that make full use of Malaysian locations that serve as stand-ins for the foothills of the Himalayas, but this final season doesn't quite match the quality of its predecessor. Presenting all 10 episodes from the 2016 last season, extras include a “making-of” featurette. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)
Indian Summers: The Complete Second Season
PBS, 4 discs, 600 min., not rated, DVD: $49.99, Blu-ray: $59.99 Volume 32, Issue 1
Indian Summers: The Complete Second Season
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