‘The Crimson Field’ episode 3 review: Rosalie discovers Joan’s secret
Last week, “The Crimson Field” proved to us to be a little much when it comes to the horrors of war. While this is a show about that subject, we were hoping for a little more of a delicate balance than what we ultimately ended up receiving.
So did this change at all with the show’s third episode Sunday night? While there were some more horrific images, it felt like the series re-established itself as being a program about the people, and not so much about the event itself. If we wanted to watch something all about the War, there are countless documentaries out there that can do a far better job at telling this tale than the show ever can. That is not a slam on “The Crimson Field.” Instead, that is just an admission as to what the reality of the situation is.
So the themes explored tonight were some that have been played out many other shows in other forms, including an issue of identity, whether or not an Irish soldier is willing to fight as a member of the British Army, and also homosexuality at a time in which this is not even remotely accepted. You see some of that in “Downton Abbey,” which is set in a similar time period; however, this is an even more volatile situation.
From the standpoint of our nurses, Rosalie discovering Joan’s ring was a clear standout moment, mostly because it further differentiates her from the other characters. Joan is by our estimation the most intriguing woman on the show, and it’s really not even close when comparing her to some of the others. Kitty does have her moments, but her story is a little more of the slow-moving variety.
For us, “The Crimson Field” is at its worst touching on ground that other war shows / movies have done over the years. Meanwhile, it’s at its best when really diving in to some of the social and political issues of the time, especially when it comes to allegiances and how different people react to them. This episode had that, and while it continues to not blow us away, it was a solid exercise in storytelling. Grade: B.
What did you think about this episode? Share your thoughts below, and click here to get a sense as to what could be coming on the show next week. Also, be sure to sign up for additional updates from our newsletter.
Photo: BBC One