The Irish R.M. - Series 2

Shot entirely on location in County Kildare, this classic PBS Masterpiece Theatre series affectionately captures life in rural Ireland at the turn of the century. Also featuring Bryan Murray (Perfect Scoundrels). DVD special features include stories and recipes from Mrs. Cadogan's kitchen, a profile of writers Somerville and Ross profile, and more.

This, the second series (which once again contains six 50-minute episodes), covers a period of approximately eight or nine years and sees the return of all the familiar characters from the first series (with the exception of Mrs. Knox, Flurry's grandmother). This is, I should just mention, a series that one ought to watch from the beginning (ie. from the first boxed set) as there is a definite air of continuity to the episodes.

If you enjoyed the first series, you'll enjoy this one just as much. Though there is a little more drama in a couple of the episodes (with a couple of potentially serious incidents occurring), the comedy is still very plentiful with the humour continuing along the same vein as in the first series. Once again we see Flurry getting up to his tricks, the Major ending up in some very awkward and comical situations, and the odd comical misadventure at Shrilane. As a point of interest, attentive viewers may recognize a younger (and very attractive) Deirdre Donnelly (Siobhan the vet from Ballykissangel) in the last episode.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this boxed set to those who've enjoyed the first set, and I highly recommend this lovely, entertaining series to anyone interested in quality British comedy-drama. If you enjoy Ballykissangel, for example, I think you'll enjoy the Irish R.M.


More Fun and high jinks in turn-of-the-century Ireland.   July 31, 2000
Kurt A. Johnson (Marseilles, Illinois, USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

These tapes continue the adventures and misadventures of Major Sinclair Yeates (Peter Bowles), a British resident magistrate in turn-of-the-century Ireland. The show continues with Philippa Yeates (Doran Godwin), Mrs. Cadogan (Anna Manahan), and the irrepressible Flurry Knox (Bryan Murray). Sadly, Mrs. Knox (Beryl Reid) is the one notable character not carried forward into this set.

As with the last series of tapes, this one contains 6 tapes, each one a one-hour episode. This show contains nothing objectionable, and is great for viewing by the whole family. I found these episodes somewhat darker, and less whimsical than the first tape series, but highly enjoyable nonetheless.


RETURN ofthe YEATSES and KNOXES   December 1, 1999
Judy H. Roberts (Sedona, AZ USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Flurry and Sally are back from their honeymoon, and not only Sinclair and Philippa are there to welcome them back, but so, ominously, are Lord and Lady Knox! Flurry will be seeing a lot, in fact, of his indomitable mother-in-law, who has seemed to attach herself to the newlyweds like a warden, while Sir Valentine Knox drifts away to other fields. Sally suspects her mother enjoys her new role, and there are indications that she does, indeed! And now we have poor Flurry behaving like a perfect gentleman--and, in a switch, the Major straying briefly from his usual impeccable decorum, while Philippa looks on in shocked disapproval. A new character has been introduced in the slightly sardonic Dr. Hickey; an old friend of Flurry and Sally. He adds an amused smile and an upturned eyebrow as he dispassionately surveys the antics of the Knoxes and the Yeatses; just as our old friend Slipper looks askance at his newly-fashionable boss. Changes have certainly taken place. The stalwart Mrs. Cadogan now becomes, on occasion, a trembling mass of nerves along with Julia and Bridget. Philippa now deals with motherhood. Sally is showing some of her mother's temperament. Flurry looks astonished at suddenly becoming part of the fashionable--SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE--gentry, and almost fearful of stepping too far out of line; and the Major looks as if he has finally got a leg-up on his nerve-wracking position. The continuation of top quality scripting, acting and directing is a factor that will delight the die-hard IRISH R.M. devotees, and will keep the tapes re-played in VCRs as it did with the first series. Well-Done, Mr. Bowles! Well-Done, Mr. Murray! And that goes for everyone else involved with THE IRISH R.M., volumes 1 and 2!


RETURN ofthe YEATSES and KNOXES   December 1, 1999
Judy H. Roberts (Sedona, AZ USA)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

Flurry and Sally are back from their honeymoon, and not only Sinclair and Philippa are there to welcome them back, but so, ominously, are Lord and Lady Knox! Flurry will be seeing a lot, in fact, of his indomitable mother-in-law, who has seemed to attach herself to the newlyweds like a warden, while Sir Valentine Knox drifts away to other fields. Sally suspects her mother enjoys her new role, and there are indications that she does, indeed! And now we have poor Flurry behaving like a perfect gentleman--and, in a switch, the Major straying briefly from his usual impeccable decorum, while Philippa looks on in shocked disapproval. A new character has been introduced in the slightly sardonic Dr. Hickey; an old friend of Flurry and Sally. He adds an amused smile and an upturned eyebrow as he dispassionately surveys the antics of the Knoxes and the Yeatses; just as our old friend Slipper looks askance at his newly-fashionable boss. Changes have certainly taken place. The stalwart Mrs. Cadogan now becomes, on occasion, a trembling mass of nerves along with Julia and Bridget. Philippa now deals with motherhood. Sally is showing some of her mother's temperament. Flurry looks astonished at suddenly becoming part of the fashionable--SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE--gentry, and almost fearful of stepping too far out of line; and the Major looks as if he has finally got a leg-up on his nerve-wracking position. The continuation of top quality scripting, acting and directing is a factor that will delight the die-hard IRISH R.M. devotees, and will keep the tapes re-played in VCRs as it did with the first series. Well-Done, Mr. Bowles! Well-Done, Mr. Murray! And that goes for everyone else involved with THE IRISH R.M., volumes 1 and 2!