#watched list

I finally watched the British period drama series The Other Bennet Sister and it’s like rediscovering why I love period dramas in the first place.

Before anything else, some key points on this review:

I have never properly read or watched Pride and Prejudice yet. I did once listen to the audiobook, but mostly to help me fall asleep. So yeah, I only got past the first paragraph at most. 

I also haven’t read The Other Bennet Sister book yet.

And yes, I checked this out predominantly because of Dónal Finn.

Set in Regency-era England, the series follows the Bennet sisters through Mary Bennet’s point of view as they navigate marriage, society, and family expectations. Mary is considered the sister with no “marriageable” qualities, and honestly, the way her mother and even some of her sisters treat her does not help at all. So instead, she buries herself in books and knowledge because it’s one of the few places where she feels seen and understood.

After a change in circumstances, Mary gets the opportunity to stay in London, where she slowly begins discovering happiness, confidence, and maybe even love.

Mean Characters

I’m not sure if it’s just me, but one of the first things that really stood out while watching the first episode was just how mean everyone is toward Mary. And I know, I’ve watched darker and heavier things before but something about the way they dismiss her or throw snide remarks at her genuinely made my blood boil.

From a storytelling perspective, I understand why it’s there. It immediately makes the audience root for Mary and feel protective of her. But still, I found the alienation hard to watch at times. It almost felt excessive. I’m curious how this compares to the source material because if the book hurts even more than this, then… good luck to me, honestly.

On Simplicity and Happiness

The series presents Mary as plain, awkward, and lacking the qualities society expects from women during that time to the point where even her own mother constantly reminds her of it. So Mary retreats into reading and learning because it gives her space to breathe and simply exist as herself.

What I really loved is how the show captures the beauty of being a late bloomer.

Mary’s journey isn’t some grand transformation where everything suddenly changes overnight. It’s gradual. It’s messy. It’s painful at times. She’s someone who slowly learns that life can become fuller once you allow yourself to actually live it the way you want to.

A lot of people still struggle with happiness today. Sometimes the answer sounds simple on paper, but life rarely works through instant gratification. There are hurdles. There are setbacks. And for Mary, there’s the endless cruelty coming from people who are unfortunately her own family.

But what made the story emotional for me was seeing that there are still people willing to help you back up again. People who show you that there’s more to the world than the version of yourself others forced you to believe in. Mary gets to experience that through the Gardiners, and watching her slowly realize her worth and eventually stand up for herself genuinely made me cry. I’m not even gonna lie.

On Love

Please note: I am fully aware of my bias toward Dónal Finn. But rest assured, for this section, I’ll be looking at Tom Hayward purely as a character.

As someone whose media diet for years mostly revolved around Korean dramas (especially circa 2016–2021) and Japanese dramas with Bridgerton being my main source of period drama, if we’re being honest, I forgot how much I missed this kind of feeling - where I hope and cheer for the lead character, yearn along with her, and hope for the best in who she picks. 

There were scenes and mannerisms in this show that genuinely made me stop because I physically felt something in my chest. Not just with Tom Hayward, but even with Mr. Ryder too. And listen, Mr. Ryder may be a bit of a carefree lad, but charm? He absolutely has it.

What makes Mary’s story so endearing is that it becomes proof that someone will see you for who you truly are. That if you remain yourself, the right people will eventually recognize your beauty and Mary somehow manages to attract not one, but two gentlemen. Which, honestly, I found both charming and amusing.

Especially because the rivalry between them can get so cheeky and childish at times.

And I’m not gonna lie, as someone who has such a deep affinity for unrequited love, longing, and emotional suffering in fiction, the moment Mary found out Tom Hayward already had an agreement with another woman before the end credits rolled? Oh dear, I physically felt pain in my chest.

I literally had to continue the show three days later. And I loved that feeling, it felt exquisite.

Final Thoughts

All things considered, I really loved how The Other Bennet Sister made me feel things I’ve been longing to feel again for quite some time.

Yes, some characters are almost comically mean-spirited at times, but the series still carries this warmth and charm that made me want to stay in its world.

The writing is good. I do think I probably would’ve appreciated certain references more if I had deeper knowledge of Pride and Prejudice, and I swear!!! I’ll finally work on that soon. But even without it, the show still feels like it naturally belongs within that universe.

And visually, the show looks beautiful. I especially love that they use real locations because it makes everything feel more tangible and lived-in, like you’re stepping inside an actual novel brought to life.

So if you’re in the mood for a good period drama about finding happiness despite other people’s cruelty, especially from family. Then with romance, longing, emotional growth, then The Other Bennet Sister might be for you.

Since I still have one strike pending on YouTube, you can check out the short-form version of this review on my TikTok and Instagram instead.

Be Melodramatic

Crash Course in Romance

Destined with you (I LOVE HIM but It was..ok, I guess)

Love to Hate You

Mr. Sunshine 🔥

The Worst of Evil

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo

Kalank (Jan)

Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows: Part 2 (Jan)

Delhi Belly (Jan)

Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (Jan-Feb)

Kal Ho Naa Ho (Feb)

Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (Feb 8)

The Zoya Factor (Feb 10)

Daawat-e-Ishq (Feb 11)

Fitoor (Feb 12)

Aashiqui 2 (Feb 13)

Cirkus (DNF)

OK Jaanu (Feb 17)

Malang (Feb 19)

Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (Feb 20-21)

Luv Ka The End (Feb 23)

The Night Manager (Feb 23 going into Feb 24)

A Gentleman (Feb 24-25)

Indoo Ki Jawaani (Feb 26)

Tamasha (Started the first 41 minutes 2022 fall/winter, but finished Feb 27)

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (DNF Mar 1)

Band Bajaa Baarat (Mar 1)

Rajneeti (Mar 3 - just started because what a long movie - finished Mar 6)

Sui Dhaaga (Mar 4)

Mimi (Mar 4)

Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (Mar 13)

Pathaan (Mar 15)

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (Mar 20)

Rockstar (Mar 20 - DNF)

Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (April 30)

Farzi (May)

Gumraah (June 13)

Luka Chuppi (June 21)

Shehzada (June 23)

Love Aaj Kal 2 (June 24)

Ek Villain Returns (June 25)

Bhediya (finished June 28)

The Night Manager Season 2 (June 29)

Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (July 3)

Pati, Patni aur Woh (July 4-5)

Jab Harry Met Sejal (July 7-11)

Main Tera Hero (July 14)

ABCD 2 (July 15-16)

Dilwale (July 17-18)

Dishoom (July 18)

Judwaa 2 (July 19-21)

Stree (July 21)

Oppenheimer (July 22)

Ek Villain (July 23-24)

Coolie No. 1 (July 25-29)

Jugjugg Jeeyo (July 30)

Ittefaq (Aug 1-2)

Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (Aug 3-5)

Thank God (Aug 5-6)

Barbie (Aug 7)

Mission Majnu (Aug 8)

Made in Heaven Season 2 (Aug 9-12)

Ishaqzaade (Aug 13)

Kidnap (Aug 14-16)

Baaghi (Aug 17-19)

Gully Boy (Aug 19)

Dhoom 3 (Aug 20)

Karthik Calling Karthik (Aug 21)

Shaitan (Aug 26-27)

War (Aug 27)

Heart of Stone (Aug 30)

Sadak 2 (Sep 1)

The Big Short (Sep 3)

Neerja (Sep 4)

Udaan (Sep 7)

Bawaal (Sep 8)

Neeyat (Sep 8)

Satyaprem Ki Katha (Sep 10)

Jaane Jaan (Sep 28)

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (Sep 29-30)

Rock On!! (Sep 30-Oct 1)

Uri: The Surgical Strike (Sep 30-Oct 1)

London, Paris, New York (Oct 4)

Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (Oct 5)

OMG 2 (Oct 7-8)

Jayeshbhai Jordaar (Oct 7)

PK (Oct 8)

Happy New Year (Oct 17)

83 (Oct 18)

Good Newwz (Oct 19)

Bewakoofiyan (Oct 7-20)

Guns & Gulaabs (Nov 3-6)

Kai Po Che! (Nov 8)

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (Nov 14)

Tiger 3 (Nov 18)

The Archies (Dec 7)

Sam Bahadur (Dec 8)

Half Girlfriend (Dec 9-10)

Saawariya (Dec 11)

Dream Girl 2 (Dec 12)

Kuttey (Dec 13-15)

Hindi Medium (Dec 16)

Friday Night Plan (Dec 17)

Chennai Express (Dec 19-23)

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (Dec 26)

A Perfect Pairing (Dec 28)

If anyone knows of a great film with Donald that I have not seen, feel free to recommend it!

────────── Watched List ──────────

✦ Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors (1965) ✦ Start the Revolution Without Me (1970) ✦ Don’t Look Now (1973) ✦ Animal House (1978) ✦ The Great Train Robbery (1978) ✦ Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) ✦ A Man, a Woman, and a Bank (1979) ✦ Ordinary People (1980) ✦ Nothing Personal (1980) ✦ Eye of the Needle (1981) ✦ Max Dugan Returns (1983) ✦ Crackers (1984) ✦ The Trouble With Spies (1987) ✦ Apprentice to Murder (1988) ✦ Benefit of the Doubt (1993) ✦ Younger and Younger (1993) ✦ The Puppet Masters (1994) ✦ Citizen X (1995) ✦ Six Degrees of Separation (1995) ✦ Virus (1999) ✦ Space Cowboys (2000) ✦ Pride and Prejudice (2005) ✦ An American Haunting (2005) ✦ The Man on the Train (2011) ✦ The Best Offer (2013) ✦ Forsaken (2015) ✦ The Leisure Seeker (2017) ✦ Milton’s Secret (2018)

────────── To-Watch List ──────────

✦ The Split (1968) ✦ Act of the Heart (1970) ✦ Klute (1971) ✦ Casanova (1976) ✦ 1900 (1976) ✦ The Disappearance (1977) ✦ Blood Relatives (1978) ✦ The Winter of Our Discontent (1983) ✦ A Dry White Season (1989) ✦ Buster's Bedroom (1991) ✦ Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)