Andrea/Cara here, confessing to having felt a little blue-deviled last night as I finished streaming an episode Foyle’s War and realized that I’ve almost come to the end of the show’s eight seasons. Now, for those of you who aren’t familiar with the series, it’s a BBC period police procedural set in a 
coastal English village during WWII, and deals with the drama of ordinary people coping in a world of conflict and change
The mysteries deal with wartime issues—profiteering, pacifism, cowardice, among others—and the plots are vey well done. But to me the real appeal of the show is the subtle and layered characterizations and the exploration of human nature. Friendship, loyalty, love—all elemental themes that transcend any specific era. I’ve learned a lot about storytelling from the episodes, and I shall miss seeing my “friends” continue to grow and develop.
I think a good story always starts with interesting characters, and Foyle’s War has a wonderful trio. Detective Superintendent Foyle heads the cast. A widower with a grown son, he’s quiet, reserved and a keen observer. His driver, Samantha Stewart, is a young, enthusiastic young woman who wants to do her part for the war effort. At first blush, she’s like a friendly lab puppy, but there’s a sharp mind and intellect that just waiting to be challenged. And rounding out the group is wounded vet Detective Sergeant Milner, who is fighting personal demons while trying to prove his mettle.
The acting is superb. What struck me most was how brilliantly Foyle uses subtle facial expressions as part of his character. More than words, they really give the viewer a wonderful grasp of who he is. It’s obvious, of course, that by the nature of their respective mediums, film and print books develop character in different ways, with different tools. Foyle’s War is, for me, a perfect example of “show, don’t tell.”
We writers do have to tell a reader everything—what our characters look like, what they are thinking. But the show reminds me that being economical—I tend to be way too wordy—is often more powerful. A quick purse of Foyle’s tips can say more than a long-winded speech.
I find one aspect of storytelling in a series very similar in both film and the printed page—the developing of relationships, as strangers become friends, with all the complexities that friendship brings. The three main characters in Foyle’s War are so interesting because their different ages and experience mean they relate to each other in very different ways.
I’ve really enjoyed the dynamics over the course of the seasons as Sam grows more confident and independent and Foyle wrestles with disillusionment. Again, I feel like I’m getting a great reminder of how creating both tensions and bonds makes characters more engaging and interesting for the viewer or reader. It’s also fascinating how they react to a crisis or challenge. I think Anthony Horowitz, the creator of the show, has done a splendid job of crafting full-rounded people who are believable no matter what the situation. That’s no easy task! (Trust me, I’m making mental notes!)
The show also reminds me of how creating a world for your characters is so important and adds color and texture to a story. The production level of Foyle’s War is really high—the country scenery, the villages, the fashions are all wonderful. I love looking at all those details as I follow the plot.
Now, I have another confession—I’ve only lately started watching television series like this. I tend to relax with a book when I have leisure time. But I’m getting hooked. (I’ve very much enjoyed Poldark on PBS, The Crown on Netflix . . . and Game of Thrones on HBO, which I didn’t really expect to like, but did.)
Soooo, have you watched Foyle’s War? And if so, are you as big a fan as I am? What strikes a chord with you? An even more pressing question is, what other period drama series do you love? I’m looking for some great recommendations!
