Heidi Beckley

I totally agree with Frances Brock's review of Seaside Hotel. It did start out slow for me, and I wasn't sure I liked it after the first or second episodes...and then I got totally sucked in! Yes, some of the characters are sympathetic and others just annoy you - but that is also life. ;-). What is great is that over the seasons, the characters are fleshed out and grow (both as people as well as children grow up and start storylines of their own). The writing is wonderful, handling the looming Nazi physical and psychological invasion really well - relaying what people were going through and moral choices that they needed to make, especially after the occupation. It got me to look up maps and history of the time as I wasn't familiar with Denmark's history. With the character of Mitzi, who has swallowed the whole Nazi/Hitler mentality hook, line, and sinker, you can see how some of the Germans of that era were convinced that Hitler was their way out following the poverty after WWI. Granted, she wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer. The actors are incredible. I have finished Season 9 (sigh....) and pray that there is a Season 10 as I want to see more of Amanda and everyone else's stories. I hope that Fie, Morten, and their family return...not to mention some of the others that have left - another reason I liked the series as many characters would return. I loved Fie's serene and capable air, Mrs. Anderson's ready smile and helpfulness, and Amanda's gumption (as my parents would have said). I HIGHLY recommend it!