A few quibbles

Last night I watched the first episode of the second series of VICTORIA ... and there were one or two things that jarred with me.

This series is what can best be described as being soap-opera history. This is not to say that it isn't enjoyable to watch, but it tends to simplify events and motivations, and some of characters seem to have an element of caricature about them.

So what jarred?

Firstly the uniforms worn by the soldiers of the British Army didn't look right. The Guards seemed to be wearing uniform coats that only fitted where they touched, and didn't impart the sort of smartness one would have expected. In addition, in one shot I saw bandsmen wearing spiked helmets from much later in the nineteenth century.

Secondly Doctor William Brydon - the first survivor from Elphinstone's abortive retreat from Kabul to reach to British-controlled territory - was brought before Queen Victoria to tell her about the Battle of Gandamak. Despite having travelled all the way back from India (a journey that would have taken several months), he appeared with a bandage wound around his head. Now I know that the Victorians seemed to take exaggerated care when it came to illness and injury, but this defied belief.

Finally the good doctor related that his good friend Captain Souter of the 44th Foot had died singing the National Anthem, and his body was shown lying in the snow. The truth of course is that Captain Souter was one of nine soldiers of the 44th who were not killed by the Afghans.

This all sounds a bit nitpicking on my part, but as far as I can see these are simple points that a half-decent researcher/script adviser should have spotted.

(If anyone from the company making this series reads my blog, I am available to act as a military advisor for a very reasonable fee!)