Bletchley Circle: Season 2

Like Season 1, The Bletchley Circle has the five main characters - all women who worked at Bletchley Park as code breakers during World War II trying to find contentment back in civilian life sans the importance and excitement of making such a vital contribution to winning the war against Hitler. Imagine all that these women did and how significant their lives must have seemed only to be relegated to being a "housewife" or teacher, or sales clerk afterwards? To make matters worse, they were obligated to sign and comply with The Official Secrets Act of 1939, which prevented these ladies from even telling their own husbands and/or family members what they did and how they contributed toward saving the world from a deranged human monster.The stories center around a mystery typically involving a murder or murders and the women using their extraordinary skills to detect patterns and garner clues that even professional police inspectors did not have the ability or insight to do.I can't say that I've seen a finer and more entertaining show - especially one so centered around true events (and I'm comparing this with shows such as Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Mad Men, Mr. Selfridge's, and Call The Midwives). The actors are superb, and the Directors, set styling and scenes are top notch.This time around there are 4 excellent episodes (instead of three in the 1st season) with two episodes focusing on two different stories - both equally compelling mysteries involving murders and featuring the fascinating way each woman brings her special skill to help solve the crime.We lose the considerable talents of Anna Maxwell Martin as Susan Gray in the fifth episode as she and her husband, Timothy (played by Mark Dexter) and their children relocate to Australia for his work. I imagine in real life that Susan just had too many other role opportunities to turn down in order to do the entire 4 episodes. But our loss is compensated by the introduction of another woman who worked at Bletchley with the women, Hattie Morahan as Alice Merren. Alice is actually embroiled in the 1st episode of this series as a suspect in a murder which we learn she did not commit, but she refuses to prove her innocence (except to the other women) as she is protecting someone dear to her.As I said in my review of Bletchley Circle Season 1, this show is intriguing and entertaining on so many levels since it's based on real historical events and it shows women characters in strong inspiring roles who are attractive FOR their characters and yet easy to relate to.Before this show, I've never taken time to write or petition for a show to be continued but I actually did that in hopes that some smart producer and distributor would be wise enough to produce a 3rd season. I'd love to see a third season as there is such a shortage of really, really good programming.One additional note of interest: Kate Middleton, a.k.a. Duchess of Cambridge, and wife of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visited Bletchley Park in June in Buckinghamshire, where her paternal grandmother Valerie Glassborow was a "Duty Officer" during World War II. Hopefully, that will garner more attention to this excellent series and maybe that 3rd season so many of us fans are wishing for!

As mysteries, these episodes were pretty conventional: the plots were about a conspiracy, a murder, human trafficking... What adds dimension to this show is portraying the position of women in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Women who contributed their intellectual talent at Bletchley Park during WWII were expected to revert to being housewives or clerks who were not respected by even their husbands.The show seems to blame the British Official Secrets Act that prohibit people who had secret clearance jobs during WWII, including the women who worked at Bletchley Park, to say where they worked during the war, even to their husbands and fathers. No doubt that Act did not help the important men in their lives to recognize the talent and effort of the women, to change their view of the women. That seemed to indicate that the men and a male-dominated society somehow knew during the war that the women were smart, and recruited them to help win the war, but somehow the women became dumb after the war.I know from history that this really happened so it's good of this show to point that out, peripherally. Even today, more than 60 years (2 generations) after WWII, there exists societies that actively suppress women, to 'do without' the benefit of their intellectual talents and efforts.The costumes and makeup in the show certainly make that era seem grim. I am told that after the war in Britain, life indeed was grim. There were shortages of everything including food. I would have given this show 5 stars if it showed more instances of historically correct societal practices, as does another British TV program, Foyle's War.

The January airing of this thrilling crime/spy investigative series' 2nd season brought back the cast's key 3 nucleus. Some of the most intelligent British women during WWII were brought to Bletchley as code breakers. They helped win the war. At that time it was a secret, hidden operation, and remained a national secret for decades afterward. This dramatic series reveaed some of the history and aftermath. In the early 1950s Bletchley gals have moved on to marriage and kids. However, the stellar code breaking abilities are yet keen in the minds of these women. That can't be forgotten so easily. And now, they operate independently, without protection of the British forces.The second season expanded to four episodes, one more than season 1. The story continued from one episode to a second. That pattern was repeated for a second lengthy two-part drama. The suspense never slowed, so expect no difference in series two. The women that found themselves caught between wartime and post-war normalcy were tough, smart, strong, and determined. Yes, it is a female focused series, but content is for all who enjoy strong thriller/suspense and a challenge to never being sure of the conclusion. Code breaking revolved around patterns, and a pattern could change in a heartbeat. So could lives. A realistic look at what it was probably like for the gals who worked at wartime Bletchley, followed by their struggle to blend into the subdued British lifestyle after the war.It's intense period suspense with costumes, sets, and props doing the appropriate 1950s era. I know, I lived during those years.Blood on their Hands: pt 1 & 2Uncustomed Goods: pt 1 & 2Link:  The Bletchley Circle: Cracking a Killer's Code

I loved the first series of Bletchley Circle. Bletchley was a top secret code breaking establishment that cracked the famous German Enigma Code that helped win World War II. The five young women in this wonderful suspenseful series have recently retired from working in Bletchley. They are very smart but cannot reveal to anybody what they did during the War. So, in late forties and early fifties London, they are treated with all the usual condescension reserved for women in a male dominated society. Quietly and under cover, they find and solve two major crimes that the UK police have either been totally baffled by, or have quite misunderstood. The period settings are wonderfully well recreated - I know, I can still remember the time well! The acting is outstanding - low key, down to earth, very naturally human. The suspense comes from the manner in which they think through and crack the mysteries using skills they learned as code breakers. That coupled with a great understanding of human nature. After all good code breakers have to suss out the people code setting on the other side! Very satisfying to watch! I heartily recommend it! This second series is, if anything, even better than the first!

Strange to say that I first watched this on television, and can remember being disappointed with the weaker plot and the loss of Anna Maxwell Martin. I would, therefore, have given a three star rating to it. But I have now watched the DVD, and it seems better the second time around. To be fair, Anna does not leave immediately. I felt that the second part had a weaker storyline, and not quite as much link with Bletchley, which made the first series more exciting. I enjoyed the series, and award it a generous four stars, but some of the other scathing comments are very chauvinistic, and ill deserving of a mere one star. In fact, I bet that some of the reviewers would have given it nought! Believe me, it is not nearly as bad as that.

A good story

Has very realistic sets and costuming.High quality writing similar to the first series.I didn't think it was a good as the first seriesIt was more gritty than the first series and may not be suitable for some viewers. There was no unnecessary violence for violence alone. I gained knowledge about post war time period because of this series. The fact that there were German citizens in Britain working and employing British citizens something that the world did not know. Also the fact that a former ally became a formidable Cold War opponent is a little know fact.

I first viewed the season 1 because of the series association with WW 2 code-breakers; my mum worked in New York during the War with the Brits in a similar environment. I found the season 1 to be thrilling, dark themed, the women's characters to be well developed, the sets incredible for post war UK, and was won over! The mores of the times, the way women were treated and expected to be a lesser being was jarring but true. The season 2 continues with the same aspects and again I am transported to 1952 as they track down nasty people using their unusual yet effective skills. Plus these women have guts!Highly recommend Season 2!