TV worth watching?

 I just finished watching the seven season, 13 episodes per season, 40 minutes per episode series titled "Offspring" (from Australia, on Netflix) followed by the much much shorter three episode series titled "The Pursuit of Love" on Amazon. The former features a main character named Nina Proudman, an obstetrician in Melbourne, Australia, and her large, chaotic family, set in the last decade. The latter features two friends' friendship, loosely based on the Mitford sisters, set in the first half of the twentieth century. Both paid close attention to the clothes worn by the various characters. 

I really liked what Dr. Proudman wore, especially because of the contrast between her profession and her bohemian, casual chic. It turns out that female viewers are excited enough about her outfits to search for them in stores and online. I wouldn't go that far. I would simply search in my closet. 

The series itself was exhausting. At times it felt like a telenovella, to the point where, while watching, I started sewing plastic bags into roses onto a prom dress I had found for $12 at the local thrift store as an art project. (Why I am sewing plastic bags on a dress will be explained later). The funky Proudman family is very open minded about relationships, but the series hardly explored alternative relationships. Neither did it introduce minorities as major characters, aside from one very assimilated midwife named Cherie, a native Australian who was adopted by white fundamentalist Christians. All and all, the series seemed very conventional in its depiction of life in Melbourne, with loads of scenes taking place in bars, cafes and upscale restaurants. I was entertained, I loved the characters, I was touched by the tragedies. But ultimately, the Australian world that was painted in that series seemed very conservative and white. 

As for the Mitford fictionalization, Emily Mortimer, who both wrote the series and stars in it, creates an English historical drama that sucks the viewer in with the fabulous acting, beautiful home interiors and of course, the elaborate costumes. I actually looked closely at my screen when certain patterns intrigued me. The plot wasn't bad either. I loved the musical score especially, a modern soundtrack that worked effectively with the historical setting because of the somewhat feminist messaging. 

As for the dress project, here it is in its middle stage. I hope to display a prom ghost in my front yard on Halloween. Same message: we consume too much plastic. When are we going to do something about it?