Tag: India

1930s, 20th Century, Miniseries, Recap

Indian Summers: The Fair

maxresdefaultPreviously on Indian Summers: Aafrin took a bullet for Ralph, but before anyone could find out what the deal is with the shooter, he killed himself. Ralph started using the whole incident as a PR stunt, and also began schtupping Madeline. Aafrin’s sister started joining the growing independence movement, and Ian’s uncle turned out to be an indebted alcoholic.

Aafrin’s back at work, and summoned to a meeting with Ralph, who asks if he’s ever considered moving upwards in the civil service. Aafrin has, and he started studying for the exams but had to stop because of financial restraints. Something tells me that won’t be an issue now. Outside Ralph’s office, the male secretary packs up his stuff, while inside Ralph is offering the position of head clerk to Aafrin. Also, the costs associated with the civil service exam will be taken care of.

Continue reading “Indian Summers: The Fair”

EditorBeeLeave a comment
1930s, 20th Century, Miniseries, Recap

Indian Summers: Foot, Meet Mouth

Indian SummersPreviously on Indian Summers: Alice fled her cheating husband to join her brother, Ralph, in India. Ralph, meanwhile, is being set up with heiress Madeline and toying with one of his clerks, Aafrin, who winds up taking a bullet for him. Aafrin’s sister is joining the nascent Indian independence movement, and Sarah, the creepy wife of a missionary who’s in love with a native woman, is desperately trying to become BFF’s with Alice.

I didn’t mention this last week, but cool opening credits. Thumbs up on that one.

Another lazy day in Simla. Natives, again, carry some heavy burden through the streets, destined for Ralph’s house.

A native man in a suit arrives at the viceregal offices.

Continue reading “Indian Summers: Foot, Meet Mouth”

EditorBee1 Comment
1930s, 20th Century, Miniseries, Recap

Indian Summers: Red Handed

Julie Walters in Indian SummersReady to watch some rich Brits sip cocktails and melt in the heat while millions of native people try to wrest control of their country back? Ok, let’s give Indian Summers a go.

It’s March 1932, and the British civil servants are heading to the summer capital, Simla, at the foot of the Himalayas because every other city turned into a horrible steaming pool that they just couldn’t handle.

A young Indian boy walks along the road, being pelted with things by other kids. Adults stand and stare at him as he passes. Nobody helps him. He walks and walks, stopping only when he sees the bizarre sight of a rocking horse being carried up high, over the leaves the of the plants along the road to Simla. The camera pulls back and we see that the rocking horse is part of a massive caravan of Indians walking to Simla.

Continue reading “Indian Summers: Red Handed”

EditorBeeLeave a comment
Bookshelf

Book Review: The Fishing Fleet

A lot has been written about India during the Raj: about the East India Company and the complicated politics and the men who ran things and fought for and against it. But there are few books out there about the women who went to India and accompanied those men to the cities and far-flung outposts and plantations, bringing with them a little bit of Britain … Continue reading Book Review: The Fishing Fleet

EditorBeeLeave a comment
20th Century, Royalty

Because Being King is Just Not Enough

When you have everything, you just want more, right? When you have a throne and an enormous empire, what more could you want? A fancier title, perhaps? Like…Emperor of India? On 12 December 1911, the recently crowned King George V and his wife, Mary, were formally proclaimed Emperor and Empress of India in Delhi during the Durbar—a grand ceremonial gathering that served as a demonstration … Continue reading Because Being King is Just Not Enough

EditorBeeLeave a comment