Television Review: Jamestown, Series 3

Show: Jamestown, Series 3

Company: Carnival Film & Television / Sky 1

Date: 2019

Plot: Its boom time in Jamestown, the 17th Century English Settlement on the very edge of the breathtaking Virginian wilderness. But success brings scrutiny and intrigue, and there are few in the settlement who have nothing to hide.

Unlikely alliances have been formed; some provide friendship, some offer love, and some lead to great peril. Relations with the Native Americans offer hope of advancement for the settlers until greed for land and power corrupts those with influence in the colony. What ensues is devastating conflict; the fallout of which will shape the New World for centuries to come.

This final season written by Bill Gallagher, brings the epic story to an exhilarating close.

Series 1 | Series 2

Jamestown was a bit of a spontaneous watch when it started: we had just got Sky, I saw a few adverts and figured why not. I surprised myself by how much I was swept up in the stories: charming, gentle characters finding what they are capable of when presented with trials they couldn’t imagine.

While disappointed that the third series is the last, I was looking forward to returning to Virginia and seeing what was in store.

The first two series had a strong focus on Alice and Silas: their romance; their marriage; their attempt at a new life. Within the first few episodes, however, Alice leaves for England, removing a key player and shifting the dynamic of the relationships. She had an innocent way of looking at things, despite everything she had been through, and there weren’t the light-hearted moments that were scattered throughout previous series.

Verity – despite being as outspoken, opinionated and deeply loving as before – also didn’t seem to feature as strongly. The story-arcs she had were strong, but she wasn’t given as much time.

The series was split into two main arcs: the increasing hostilities with the naturals and the issue of slavery. Behind both of these is Governor Yeardley: the villain that everyone is determined to take down and no one seems to be able to touch.

With the introduction of a strange newcomer, Jocelyn hopes to unseat the man once and for all, but learns Yardley will not stand for any insubordination (demonstrated by a violent and shocking death near the beginning). She must learn what she is prepared to risk – and whether love is just another weakness she must overcome.

A man’s rights and his freedom are strong themes throughout. Pedro and Maria learn their true worth to Yeardley, and are desperate to find a way to free not only themselves, but Jamestown, from his grip. James seeks peace and struggles to find it, Meredith finds just how far he can push Verity, and the Sharrows must adjust their family to deal with changes.

There are some heavy episodes – the themes that are covered in this series makes for intense storylines. But there are moments of happiness: Pepper and Mercy finding their own romance was innocent and joyful, and the perfect balance for some of the darker themes.

I confess I know little about this period in history. While I am pleased that they tried to keep the show true to what actually happened with the conflict between the English and the natives, the ending left me with a strange feeling. The characters were just overcoming their demons, and then lost everything. Historical accuracy is one thing, I’m just not certain it gave it a satisfying ending knowing the characters didn’t get a chance at a happy ending – or their comeuppance.

While there was suspense and violence, heart-breaking and joy, this is a slow-paced series that didn’t always completely engage me. But I still enjoyed it and am pleased to have seen it.

Buy it

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Bloglovin’