You may wonder what exactly I mean by the title of this blog. Of course, that is probably not the case if you have watched any of Rosemary & Thyme's season three shows.
Since my husband and I started watching the Rosemary & Thyme show two years ago, we have invested a reasonable amount of time and money in the series. So, I went ahead and procured the latest season of the show thinking that we were making a wise investment of both time and money…. I have to admit that we have only watched the first five episodes of season three, but I am sure that my husband considers that five shows too many!
One of the things that I most enjoyed about seasons one and two was the beautiful colors that the producers seemed to be able to capture……. not only the flowers in the gardens, but also the clothes of the actresses. It seemed (to me) that the actresses wardrobes would reflect the palette of the flowers they were currently planting. I don't think that they are at all interested in that aspect of the show anymore. It seems to me that the location of the gardens is now of tantamount importance, rather than the splendour of the flowers.
The last episode that we watched was The Gooseberry Bush. Why the two amateur detectives were not jailed for child abuse/neglect was never dealt with….. Perhaps, since they are such busy gardeners, they have the luxury of leaving a newborn baby in their car all day while they attend to their busy gardening chores, but as a mother of two, I found that part of the plot to be absolutely appalling. Also, another part of the plot that I found disgusting was the fact that the natural mother of the newborn had left her baby out in the woods so that the father could pick up the baby some time that morning. Unbelievable! Good thing that there were no wild animals…. or even hungry pets rummaging through the underbrush of the "Gooseberry Bush"!!! Was anyone on the set even paying a little attention to these plot developments!?!?
Another question that I have: Why wasn't one of the amateur detectives jailed for breaking and entering the home of a murder victim? And, here's yet another question I have: Why weren't the amateur detectives jailed for deliberately moving a murder weapon because the person who owned it (and who was trying to bury it) said she hadn't used it to commit the murder… and since they had just met her, they knew she was telling the truth! Need I say more!!!?!!!?!!!?
I was not sure whether I should write this blog or not, but decided to go ahead and write it since I had previously recommended the Rosemary & Thyme series. I still think that the first two seasons are worth watching, but three times might still mean you're out….
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I respect your opinion on the show and it was interesting to read something by another couple who watch the show. However, first and formost it is a TV show and has the ability to cross the line of reality on occasion. After all TV is an escape for most people from the duldrums of the day, so if I wanted reality I would’nt turn on the TV in the first place.
Fmolea, You make a good point RE: reality VS TV. As I said in my blog… I wasn’t sure about this particular blog. Thanks for commenting… It’s always good to get different opinions.
Yeah, I had to seriously suspend my disbelief for this episode and just go with the flow. Leaving a baby in a Land Rover? Not notifying the authorities? Okay…
I have to agree with you about the clothes. Shamefully, that was one of my favorite aspects of the series.
Rebekah, I just reread my blog, and can’t get over how negative I was! Even though I still have those sentiments about the show… I would probably go right ahead and watch the fourth season (if they produce a fourth season!)
I agree that Gooseberry episode was appalling with so many unexplained leaps one had to make, but every other episode has been great! I love the scenery and I am always distracted by their clothing too. My favorite is their Christmas one in season three – there is so much humor in it.
I cannot say enough about their wardobes! Everything… even their jewelry, bandanas, and shoes are fantastic.
Clothes are OK — my favorite things are Laura’s beads: earrings and necklaces.
So what IS the story on season 4? Is there one playing somewhere? Will it be for sale?
Hi Sue,
I am not aware of a new season, but will post it if I hear about any new productions.
You’re right about Laura’s beads… absolutely lovely!
WHERE can you get the clothes like Rosemarys?
Isn’t that the truth, Maggie! They are exceptional…
I love a particular pair of earrings worn by Laura in “Rosemary & Thyme”….round disks that appear to be flowers under pale blue disks and a small blue turquoise (I think) dangling at the bottom….french wires…just love those earrings…does anyone know if they could be available somewhere?….Thanks
I must admit, my husband and I took a chance on this series, but after watching the first episode we were hooked. While we enjoyed some episodes more than others, we loved and appreciated them all of them. What a wonderful and natural rapport these two actresses seem to have with one another. We have enjoyed it so much, were thinking of buying the complete series on DVD. Good to cozy up to on a cold, rainy evening. Love their wardrobe, esp Rosemary’s tomboyish look. Wonder what brand of clothes these are, esp the pants… Banana Republic perhaps? Wish there was a way to find answers to the questions everyone seeks.
Doc, aren’t Rosemary’s clothes terrific? And, her understated jewelry, too!
Love the jewelry also especially the “fish necklace”. Any clues as to where they were purchased? CW
I think that there are a lot of us who love to know the answer to this question. I am guessing that most of the jewelry was specially made for the show… But, that’s just a guess.
Wait, so is there going to be a season 4 of Rosmary and Thyme or not??????
It doesn’t look like there will be a fourth season of Rosemary and Thyme, libby.
I really enjoyed the series up until the end and am very disappointed that no more will be made!
Heather, as you can see from just here, there are quite a few of us who are unhappy that the Rosemary and Thyme television series came to an end…
Why oh why was this programme shelved? I watch repeats, repeats and more repeats so I can see the clothes/jewellery in the hope I may see them in the high street!
Please bring this delightful programme back.
It does seem a shame, Snapdragon, that they stopped making new Rosemary & Thyme shows. I remember watching them and admiring the color-coordinated outfits the two women wore, and their lovely jewelry.
I too, love, love, love this series! I am going to school for landscaping and cannot get enough of this show. I love Rosemary’s clothing, it almost appears to be Eddie Bauer like, they had all of this kind of stuff back in the early 2000′s, and you can even find the cargo’s, polo’s and tees there too online. I love how comfortable, yet dressy it is as opposed to always wearing jeans and tees. Kudo’s to the costume designer, you did brilliantly!!!
Dani, what a great guess (Eddie Bauer) for Rosemary’s clothes. I just looked at their official site (to refresh my memory) and you’re right about “the look” tje costume designer was going for.
I was thinking J.Jill or Coldwater Creek for Pam Ferris’ wardrobe. I love her clothes, so earthy and unrestricted. I do agree that Season Three suddenly seemed to change focus to the locale. Agua Cadaver was probably my favorite.
Laura, I just looked at both the J. Jill and the Coldwater Creek sites, and you’re right. It looks like either place could have supplied the wardrobe for the Rosemary & Thyme series.
I appreciate your ideas but clearly you are expecting too much. I have watched all of Season 3 and where some were not as visually captivating, and some ideas not realistic, overall it is good entertainment. Not bloody gore and physical crud that we get on US TV. I suggest you sit back and sip a good glass of wine and enjoy!
Cynthia, perhaps, because I had really, really enjoyed the first two seasons of Rosemary & Thyme, I was just expecting too much. Don’t get me wrong, I watched the entire season, and my disappointment in the third season doesn’t stop me from recommending the entire series…
Where can I find jewelry like that worn on the show Rosemary and Thyme? Thanks in advance for the tip!
Lyn, a few days ago, Laura suggested that the wardrobe looks like the type of things you can find at : J.Jill or Coldwater Creek.
Just watching the show for the first time and am towards the end of Season 2. Am fascinated by the understated elegance of the clothing – despite being gardening clothes, they are definitely pretty. The jewelry is fascinating as I make some of this type…who knew the stuff I have been making for years was TV worthy!
Looking forward to Season 3 especially the Christmasy one (and not so much the Gooseberry episode).
Yikes, Anupa! I just reread my second review of the Rosemary & Thyme series, and can’t believe I was that negative! I loved the first two seasons.
Danna
BTW, if alright, my jewelry is at designsbyanupa.com (or on facebook as designs by anupa) for anyone who wants to look.
Now I am depressed!! No more R&T. As an American viewer, I shall miss the glory and beauty of the show.
I just found this show on BBC America, so I went to Netflix to watch more. I got hooked. I finished all three seasons in three Saturdays.
What an easy to escape in and lovely show.
I only started watching Rosemary and Thyme in 2012 and the fact there are only 22 episodes I find very sad. Does anybody know why the show stopped?
It’s not just you. This episode is easily the worst one I have seen of theirs. It is all very well to argue about TV, escapism, and suspension of disbelief, but I do have the other Rosemary and Thyme episodes to use as a yardstick. This one revolved around an Idiot Plot (a trope which requires main chars to be stupid to advance the plot) where R&T do idiotic things despite previous characterisation and knowledge. Thyme is a former cop, for one, and she would know the trouble you would be asking for by removing evidence. (Specially since a previous episode hinged on moving the evidence.)
The reveal was forced (by R&T standards) and honestly, didn’t match up with the sudden twist that came just before it. Too many questions arise, like how did Anya hide her pregnancy, if she didn’t and the motive is jealousy then why wasn’t Carlos murdered before now, how did she know it was the sisters who shot him, how did she know where to find the planted gun or that it was even there, and so on. This ep was very rushed and very forced.
Pixelfish, I totally agree with your assessment of this show. I was really disappointed with it.
I have loved this series and have watched them over and over. I have a bigscreen and always pause during the “Language of Flowers” during the scene where Rosemary visits the neighboring estate to see his waterfall. The view across the lake is ethereal. Am very sad there are no more episodes. Hope someone can tell these two lovely actresses how much we miss them.
I just found this wonderful series and have gotten 2 & 3 from the library. Haven’t seen season 1 yet. I may not get to as my local library only has one copy. I just love it the color the locations the adventure. I am from the US and I so enjoy British film I am sorry there is not a season 4. I am in the process of purchasing As Time Goes By.
Flo B, as you can probably tell, I really enjoyed Rosemary & Thyme. However, I had quite a few problems with the third season. This is not to say that I didn’t watch it, I just found some things that made me think they might have been rushed in their productions.
I wrote to the costume designer for Rosemary and Thyme because I so loved the clothes and jewellery which Pam Ferris wore for it. His name is Yves Barre, and he was sweet enough to reply to my email. He tells me that the clothing and jewellery were all designed by him for the last two series, and so none of them are available commercially for sale. I told him he had a lot of fans among the devotees of the programme and that if he ever brings out a line in clothing and jewellery it is bound to be a success! Unfortunately it doesn’t seem likely as he is busy with his main occupation which is costume design.
Fee B, thank you for the information about the costumes in the Rosemary & Thyme shows. Sounds like they won’t be hitting the market any time soon.
I believe that the show was cancelled due to the TV channel which sponsored it wanting to save money – a problem that a lot of good TV drama in the UK is experiencing. It may be that the third season suffered somewhat from cost cutting.
I just watched season 2′s episode Swords and Ploughshares and was smitten with the shirt Laura wears toward the end. It was brown and blue, with black sleeves and collar. the pattern of dancing women went around laura’s bosom and back. I LOVE this shirt and wish it were available commercially.
Alas, Fee B’s previous post dashed my hopes. maybe the designer will change his mind.
Theresa, there’s always hope, although Fee B’s previous post makes it look pretty bleak.
This is a spot on review. I think the baby neglect episode is well outside what I consider cozy.
If you worry an infant or child will die because of the actions of the heroes, its just not cozy.
One of the characters is a mother and former police officer and the other is not usually depicted as criminally insane- so even with full immersion in the story world I would expect the neglect to be a major plot point, or why include it.
I have to agree the costumes are wonderful.
I know, Maeva, I was really very surprised that the show’s editors let this crazy thing get through to the final product.
I haven’t seen this series in awhile but if memory serves, Peter Lovesy, British author of excellent historical mysteries, was a story consultant on the early episodes but not the later ones. That may partly explain the obvious decline in the storyline. It was one of my favorite shows, too, until then. Wish someone would bring back this type of cozy show, the newer ones are too gory and coarse.
That might explain it, Donna.
I found this post when trying to discover the name of the stone that makes up the large golden beads in one of Laura’s necklaces. So beautiful!!!!
I echo all the loving sentiments about this show. I watch and rewatch them frequently.
AND I have to add to the litany of odd moments in the now “infamous” gooseberry patch episode. It shows the ladies taking great care to find a sturdy basket and comfy lining for their impromptu baby bed that they plan to “safely” hide in their TRUNK and then they decide last minute to tuck a GUN into that same basket with the BABY. Is it just me? Surely no REAL person would put a gun and a baby together?!?
Lol
And yet, I enjoyed every moment of even this episode. Call me sentimental but I’ll gladly forgive the obsurd moments and enjoy the entire series for the delightful wonderful thing that it is
Stoneybrooke, I totally agree with you about forgiving a few absurd moments in the Rosemary & Thyme shows. They must have rushed the editing process.
(I read several years ago that Midsomer Murders actually lost count of one of the corpses in one of their shows. I think it is in the The Electric Vendetta episode, although I could be mistaken.)