A Haven for Vee

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Victoria

Victoria is a name I would like to have. My mother chose it for me, but my father nixed it. Why? No daughter of his was going to be named for any old Queen of England. I can laugh about it now, sometimes. ツ


My mother was Canadian as I have mentioned many times. Queen Victoria had only been gone for 33 years when my mother showed up. My Canadian family talked about royalty often and many famous portraits of royals hung in their homes. This portrait of Queen Alexandra or one very like it hung in the kitchen at the farm. (She was Queen Victoria's daughter-in-law.)




I thought that she was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. (ETA: By way of further explanation: The kitchen was wainscoted; the ceiling was high; this large portrait hung on the wall above the wainscoting. The kitchen table was in that corner so I can see that, as a child, I'd be looking way up on the wall to see this impressive picture [a print I am sure]. Yes, she made an impression on me. The last time I saw that scene was over thirty years ago and it still lives vividly in my imagination.)


If you have been watching Victoria, you know that the queen started off as Alexandrina. No wonder she took the name Victoria.

Jenna Coleman and Rufus Sewell
as
Queen Victoria and Lord Melbourne

This series was not going to hook me. I had my hackles up. I didn't want to like it, but I do. I love the history, the costumes, the scenery...just wish that they wouldn't mess with the facts. They have elaborated on the Victoria~Lord Melbourne connection so much that it is said that the Brits didn't want Prince Albert to show up. ☺ In fact, even I have been thinking Prince Albert who

The other thing that annoyed me was that Jenna Coleman is way too attractive to portray frumpy little Queen Victoria, but I could be proven wrong. What do you think?





















How about a comparison between Rufus and the Real Lord Melbourne?




Wowzer! Lord Melbourne was a handsome man! My complaint is that he was ten years older than the actor playing him when he first met the Queen. From all accounts I have read, Queen Victoria and Lord Melbourne loved one another as a daughter and father would. Blast. It does make for such a good story. Thank you, Rufus, for doing your hair like the real Lord M's. (This is more than I can say for Tom's as Prince Albert.)


So Jenna and Rufus have an excellent on screen chemistry, but then Tom Hughes who plays Prince Albert and Jenna must also have an excellent chemistry since they have a real-life romance offscreen. It remains to be seen as Prince Albert has only just shown up in earnest this past weekend.




Let us compare the real Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (first cousins) below




with the actors...





It sure was a lot of fun looking through the vintage photographs and the stills of Victoria. There are wonderful images at PBS Masterpiece.



~Eve Myles as Mrs. Jenkins~


I have just one question: What is Mrs. Jenkins doing in this painting? Is she with Lord Melbourne? Are those their daughters? (Just a little revisionist history humor, folks.)



Source


Hahahahah...Guess that it is true that everyone has a twin.


~Eve Myles as herself~



So tell me if you've been watching and what you've been thinking and if you are hooked.


47 comments:

  1. I meant to watch Victoria......but I kept forgetting to record it! I do hope I can capture my missed episodes and catch up! I need something like this to look forward to watching! Alaskan Bush People and Fixer Upper are my current favorite 'feel good' programs

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  2. I have not watched yet, but have many blog friends who are fans!
    I sure enjoyed this post and the lovely photos.
    Wishing you a blessed day.

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  3. Been busy since it started and not able to see it - may have to wait and do a marathon once it's on netflix - gone again this sunday! Drats and double drats!

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  4. I love the name Victoria which is why we chose that name for out eldest daughter. Sadly I have not watched the series but I have it recorded all ready for when we move.

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  5. smiles....since I have early class on Mondays, no watching for me. The photos are eerily similar, aren't they?

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  6. I did not expect to be hooked but am. It might have had something to do with having to watch the first two hours again as I had dozed through more of it than I realized. It looks like Prince Albert is cast well. And maybe Victoria was prettier as a young thing! The Melbourne relationship reminds me a bit of the one between Esther and John Jarndyce in Bleakhouse. Enjoyed the pictures and this post very much. Thanks!

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  7. I am hooked on "Victoria". I love English history and the minute I saw it, I knew this was for me. I was all set to love it and I do. I think that Jenna Coleman makes an excellent Victoria. Haven't made my mind up about Albert yet. This is the guilty pleasure my husband and I share on Sunday nights (or Mondays if we are busy on the weekend). He is also a history buff and we love watching this together and talking about it all week.

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  8. I have wanted to watch this series but didn't catch the first shows and HATE to start in the middle! I may have to figure out something though! Now I KNOW I'm missing out! Hugs, Diane

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    1. You can watch online at your local PBS station. ☺️

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  9. Yes Vee, I'm hooked on watching Victoria, and it gives me something to look forward to watching on Sunday evenings. I think Jenna Coleman is a doll (but probably not a good remembrance to the real Victoria). Tom Hughes kind of gives me the creeps as Prince Albert. Thank you for sharing their off screen photo. He's not creepy at all in real life. Lord M seems to be cast well, I'd say.

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    1. Yes, he is a little creepy...a little controlling even?

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  10. I have only watched the first one. I thought I set it to record, but it didn't record the 2nd or 3rd episodes. I do have the 4th recorded, and I will watch it this week. PBS does not have "on demand" so I can't go back and watch the two I missed, darn it!

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  11. I just found out I can watched missed episodes online at pbs.org! Yeah!

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    1. Phew! I know that I can. Also, my PBS channel offers a rerun of the previous Sunday's program on the following Saturday evening just in time for the new episode the next day. I imagine that could be true of all PBS stations.

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  12. Thanks for this blog post. I have not been aware of this series on PBS. I enjoyed what you have shared with us.

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  13. I am hook line and sinker into this series, Vee. Even if my life merited a series I would want a lovely slim woman to portray me! I'm excited to see what happens with Prince Albert and his influence on the conscience of Victoria. You have lovely memories of your family and even a portrait hanging in the kitchen. Lovely photos of all the royals. ♥

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  14. Have not watched this but you totally have my interest. I will be tuning it in as soon as we finish the series we are watching right now on Hulu. Lark to Candleford.. I am LOVING this series. Have you seen it? If not I have a feeling you'd love it!

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    1. We've had this discussion before, but perhaps you are one who does not check in on former comments. 🙂

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  15. I was trying not to get hooked too, but I am. I am such a sucker for beautiful costumes in period dramas. I think the actress does look a little like Victoria, she has the round face and large eyes at least. I think they did a pretty good job of getting actors that resemble the real people. I am loving the whole thing! As for the name Victoria...I named my second daughter Victoria Grace, Grace being my middle name. So yes, I love it :)

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  16. Nifty. My name is Victoria too, but I don't think I was named for the Queen. My mommy just like the name, Victoria! I might check out the show, but I'm not big on historical fiction. (I want either fiction, all the way, or documentary-well-researched-style history.)

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  17. Oh, I must say that Victoria is a simply beautiful and very elegant name! I think it would be an absolute delight to have such a pretty name :)

    This show sounds wonderful and if I had TV I have an idea I would be watching it as well {{smiles}}

    Hugs to you, dear Vee!

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  18. Okay, I don't check former comments ~ you caught me, too! What channel is it on?

    Truth said, I always think the comments are for you. I would feel snoopy.

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    1. Have you read my encouragements below on commenting? I prefer to think of comments as conversations with everyone included. It is not private enough to be just between the two of us so please never think of it as snooping. I do not always comment on posts, but on one like this I often do.

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    2. This airs on Masterpiece Theater Sunday evenings at 9 on PBS. It re-airs the following Saturday...not sure of time...Eight or nine.

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  19. Oh, I do love your new header. You are so creative.

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  20. This is the first I have heard of Victoria. I will have to check it out. Just thinking Alexandrina could have just taken the name 'Alex'. Haha. That is quite common today...not so regal though. I quite like the name Victoria. And Charlotte. And Elizabeth. All those stately, royal names.

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  21. I am loving this show! The first night I watched it I couldn't fall asleep! I thought the proposal scene this past Sunday was so romantic. And I understand it was a real romance. In real life Victoria was said to be entirely devoted to Albert. Lord M sure is handsome, but from what I understand their "romance" was overplayed here, and was more like a father/daughter relationship in real life. Thanks for the photos, Vee.

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    1. It has definitely been portrayed incorrectly. More's the pity...

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  22. Been watching it every Sunday evening...I really like it! :)

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  23. Thanks for the history lesson since I know very little about them, although I do find royalty quite interesting. I have been watching but not glued to the TV like I was with Downton. The young queen reminded me of Olivia Hussey when she played the role of Juliet way back when...so pure and innocent looking....NOT! She bears no likeness to the portraits of the queen...what in the world? But I think Lord M. looks quite a lot like the real guy! You will never believe who came to mind when I first saw Prince Albert ...the artist formerly known as Prince and then became Prince again who passed away last year. Am I crazy or what?

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  24. Stopping by to say hello, and to check in on you! Haven't watched this program, there goes another great series I have or will miss! My mother says that our family has some connection to Queen Victoria, I didn't pay close attention when she was relating the story, I must check back with her! These prints certainly do not flatter her, but I always enjoy the costumes, ~smile~
    Rea some previous posts, enjoyed them.Please wish Sam and Jake a happy birthday wish from me, I can hardly believe they are 10 and 11, my where does time go!
    I am also on instagram, but like blogging seldom visit or post, though I did find a few minutes today to visit, How would I find you on there?
    So nice to stop by, I will try and visit more often!
    love,
    Sue

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  25. Been enjoying the series -- have been a Victoriana and British Royals fan all my life. I'm sure glad she took the name Victoria when she became queen.

    Thanks for a lovely post -- loved all the photos.
    Brenda

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  26. I like the name Victoria, sounds elegant to me.
    Not watching this series.
    We've been watching Blue Blood on Netflix. Up to season 3.

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  27. Like the story; am miffed for what Victoria didn't do for the starving Irish. She made it worse.
    I also like the Wives of Henry 8 series after Victoria is on in my area. Wowzer!

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  28. Yes, we've been watching and are hooked. The actress is prettier than the actual queen. To think that she became queen at such an early age is hard to fathom. They have portrayed strength and immaturity that I'm guessing had to be present. I have not had a chance to watch the latest episode but will be relieved once she and Albert are well established.

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  29. I wanted to watch, but we were preparing for our cruise, then on the cruise and now we are recovering from the cruise...lol I loved the trip but came home with a cold so getting everything back to normal is taking longer then planned. I think I've seen the actor Rufus on another series we liked called "The Man in the High Castle." I hope that one day I can catch up with Victoria

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  30. Nope, not watching...I don't watch a lot of tv and most of the time, when I do, it's old reruns....

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  31. We are watching here! We watch the day after on PBS.org online!

    Victoria was to be named after her mother, but her uncle, the king, hated her mother so he made them name her that awful Alexandrina.

    The real Lord M was quite a looker, wasn't he? Rufus is doing a good job as Melbourne. In the Young Victoria they played Melbourne as being more manipulative but in Victoria, he is more guiding her. I think she came to trust him and let him guide her, because he treated her with respect and didn't speak down to her. Conroy and her mother, didn't prepare her for her role, because Conroy wanted to control her.

    So much to talk about. Maybe we should have a weekly chat?

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  32. Thanks for writing about this Vee, I laughed out loud a few times. I haven't watched this, but am certainly intrigued. Will check it out. By the way, nice graphic below.

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  33. I love the story you shared. I wasn't going to watch Victoria but now I'm thinking I need to see it!

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  34. Hi Vee,

    I haven't seen this yet, but we were just discussing this with my in-laws Monday evening. They're watching it and really enjoying it! I'm sure I would enjoy it because I love these English period pieces. :) I just finished a book about the Romanov family, specifically the four daughters. I was so surprised to learn that Czar Nicholas' wife, Alexandra, was actually Queen Victoria's granddaughter!

    Hope you are doing well, and Happy February to you!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  35. I was worried for a moment that you didn't like Victoria! I am so glad you do, I loved it as well, I am looking forward to the next series - which is hardly a spoiler as she did live a long life!!

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  36. I'll just have to wait until it comes on Netflix one day as we don't have cable television. But it sounds like a most interesting series. Victoria is the middle name of one of our little granddaughters, but not after Queen Victoria, nor after the city in which we live, but because God gave victory in her coming to be.

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  37. Have only watched one, though the rest are on DVR. It's been a busy and painful few weeks. Looking forward to the rest.

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  38. We are totally hooked on it as well. I have found myself searching the "truths" on the internet for what the true history is and even yesterday I was looking at the family tree. I sure enjoy the costuming and can very easily pretend it is all real.

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