Mr. Selfridge: Season Two

Mr. Selfridge is a British TV series that airs on PBS as part of their Masterpiece Theatre programming. Set in the early 1900s, it chronicles the rise of Harry Selfridge, an American retail mastermind who introduced the mass retail model of business to the London public. It stars Jeremy Piven in the titular role, alongside Frances O'Connor who plays his wife, Rose Selfridge. This release collects the ten episodes of season two across three Blu-Ray discs, supplemented by a behind-the-scenes featurette and deleted scenes.

While season one showed Harry Selfridge's climb to power and influence in London, often in the face of a lot of doubts and assumptions against him, season two kicks off with him and his staff celebrating five strong years of success at Selfridges department store. They've proved all the doubters wrong, but harbingers of gloom are on the horizon thanks to troubles at home and across Europe with the impending threat of World War 1. To reveal much more about season two would be to reveal too much in the way of plotlines and spoilers. Suffice it say, it's full of drama and intrigue, for those who are drawn into this story.

As for me, I found the show somewhat interesting, but not necessarily gripping. The cast is terrific and Piven is a blast to watch in each of his scenes. He does a fantastic job portraying both exuberant confidence in the public eye, whilst dealing with uncertainty and shifting fears behind closed doors. It's also beautifully shot, with an extreme attention to detail and setting. On this Blu-Ray set, the backgrounds in nearly ever scene pop with vibrant color. It's certainly a show that's very easy on the eyes. But I didn't find the overarching narrative that compelling. Perhaps it's the writing or perhaps it's the fact that this is, at its core, a very fancy and posh looking soap opera. It's not a show that I intend on following long term. That said, if you are a fan, then you'll need to check out this set in preparation for season three, which is scheduled to air in 2015.