[citation needed] Writing for The Los Angeles Times, Ray Loynd called the series "redolent of Victorian splendor, of soft green rolling fields and country and seaside manors.
But coursing through that serene world is the hurly-burly of political intrigue and the unquenched passions of a secret affair that brought down the man often called "the uncrowned king of Ireland.
The pacing is almost stately, the sets and costumes are rich in period authenticity, the script is intelligent.
Politics involving the Irish and the English are so convoluted that absolute clarity is probably impossible within the confines of a drama, but Mr. Leonard manages to touch on a remarkable number of crucial points.
And the performances, predictably, are extraordinarily good, with Mr. Eve, Miss Annis and Mr. Robb setting a demanding pace for the fine supporting cast.