bruce martin, 26/09/2008
Gemma Jones plays Louisa Trotter, proprietor of the Bentinck Hotel in London and not to be underestimated! This part of the series is set in the 1900s' during the reign of King Edward V11, who has now ended his affair with Louisa. The episodes on disc 1 include a handsome guest (Anthony Andrews) causing friction between Mrs Trotter and her indispensable housekeeper Mary, an undercover journalist who could cost Louisa her beloved hotel and will the "Queen of Cooks" banquet be ruined because of allegations of corruption between guests after a horse race? Disc 2 begins with a young lady friend of Charlie Tyrrell's causing problems at the Bentinck and it is clear to everyone that she is not what she seems and Louisa decides to buy a house on the Isle of Wight but comes up against prejudice and snobbery during Cowes week. Edward V11 is dead and Mrs Trotter and her staff mourn the person who made the hotel possible in the first place and Charlie shows real interest in marriage for once. Will Louise give her blessing or put a spanner in his works? John Hawkesworth produced this brilliant series with the same love, care and attention to detail that he gave to "Upstairs Downstairs". Gemma Jones gives an unforgettable performance as Louisa Trotter who completely dominates the staff and customers at the Bentinck and endeavours to hide her true feelings for ex-lover Charlie Tyrrell (Christopher Cazenove). A real treat for lovers of period drama of quality.
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