‘Incredibly tedious’ or ‘sublime’? The Pursuit of Love viewers divided over BBC drama
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The new BBC One Sunday night drama, The Pursuit of Love, has split opinion.
The adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s breakthrough novel, which began last night (9 May), stars Emily Beecham as Fanny Logan, a bookish young woman taken under the wing of her uncle Matthew Radlett (Dominic West) after her mother, “The Bolter”, abandons her as a baby.
Fanny’s best friend is her cousin Linda Radlett (Lily James), Matthew’s daughter, whose head is filled with nothing but romantic fantasies.
Watch: The Pursuit Of Love
Andrew Scott plays Lord Merlin, the Radletts’ libertine neighbour who Linda is fascinated by, he is audacious and free in his attitude towards love, life and sex and art.
Viewers are divided over the show, with some calling it “incredibly tedious”, while others have hailed it as “sublime”.
“Maybe it’s me...but... so far this is trite,” wrote one disappointed viewer. “Guess I just don’t have the patience.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and the wee donkey. What is this tosh about?” added another, referencing the fact that The Pursuit of Love has now replaced the recently concluded Line of Duty in the channel’s 9.00pm Sunday time-slot.
Does anyone confirm their opinions by checking Twitter? Thought it was poor but needed to check the # to make sure I wasn't missing anything but now I'm comfortable saying it is disappointing 😂😂 #ThePursuitOfLove
— Sarah Daly (@sarahdaly25) May 9, 2021
#ThePursuitOfLove Much better adaptation. New series is bonkers. None of the characters are endearing. What a shame. Netflix it is 😏 pic.twitter.com/s5eHP1lag2
— Fiona Nikitik (@FNikitik) May 9, 2021
May l be so bold as to say that we’re 12 minutes in and already I’m bored of it. #ThePursuitOfLove
— Eileen M Cumiskey (@cumiskey55) May 9, 2021
These people are more than irritating, they’re bloody annoying!! #ThePursuitOfLove
— Gillian Hudson 💙💙 (@JillHudson21) May 9, 2021
Nail on the head. #ThePursuitOfLove pic.twitter.com/JPjE0QbXHy
— Ramona 🌿 (@thenewbrunette) May 9, 2021
#ThePursuitOfLove is incredibly tedious
— jo ellison (@jellison) May 9, 2021
Many fans, however, praised Scott’s performance as a highlight of the show.
“Andrew Scott as Lord Merlin, dancing to T.Rex, has to be one of the TV highlights of the year...” wrote one person.
Andrew Scott.
That is all. #ThePursuitOfLove pic.twitter.com/fs9lBMkaFb— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) May 9, 2021
Omg Andrew!!! 🔥❤
Perfect!! #ThePursuitOfLove pic.twitter.com/A4r0hobMfl— SaskiaCumberDutch🔮 (@SherlockFBNL) May 9, 2021
Andrew Scott has reached Peak Andrew Scott #ThePursuitOfLove pic.twitter.com/x5SA940jqL
— Ariadne Griffin 🦋 (@Ariadne_Griffin) May 9, 2021
perfect delivery of the word "fiddlesticks" from Andrew Scott #ThePursuitOfLove pic.twitter.com/JH3z43qsKf
— Ariadne Griffin 🦋 (@Ariadne_Griffin) May 9, 2021
And others applauded the show for being “fizzy” and “sassy”.
I seem to be in a minority, but I loved the first episode of #ThePursuitOfLove https://t.co/VlZYq7ub21
— Clare Draycott 💙 (@Clare_Draycott) May 9, 2021
Absolutely loved the new #ThePursuitOfLove
Sharp, original, cinematic and fresh. pic.twitter.com/3nC3hGfK9y— JohnPaul (@JPJaval) May 9, 2021
anyone else think the new ‘pursuit of love’ on BBC1 is very wes anderson? #ThePursuitOfLove
— Tabby (@tabbyondrums) May 9, 2021
Unlike everyone on Twitter, I loved #ThePursuitofLove tonight - fizzy, hyper, sassy, plush and fun with hints of the dark. Lily James and Andrew Scott are fab. Awesome soundtrack and costumes too. https://t.co/6xIEyJi5XV
— Rajvi Glasbrook (@RGlasbrook) May 9, 2021
Brilliant! Wacky! Over the top! Excellent writing and the acting was sublime. I’ll have to be really disciplined not to stream it #ThePursuitOfLove 10/10
— Susannah 😷🐌🤘💜😈 (@WokChic) May 9, 2021
The Pursuit of Love airs at 9pm on Sundays on BBC One
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