The Bletchley Circle: Season 2

The cast is outstanding and the stories seem to fit the cast hand in glove. I love period pieces and this one excels. I wasn't sure if the continuation could be as good as the first season, but they are. My only real disappointment is that Anna Maxwell Martin (who some might remember as an outstanding Esther Summerson in the recent BBC Bleak House) is only in the first of the two episodes in this set. Her querkiness and her laser like powers of deduction bring Sherlock to mind. The cast feed off each other so well; nothing seems forced. The production values continue to be of highest quality. So much attention to detail in presenting the 1950's look and feel that it is easy to get lost in that time. All in all, if you love good storytelling, quality acting and beautiful sets and scenery, then this is a must buy. I do hope they find a way to keep this series alive and look forward to future installments.

The January airing of this thrilling crime/spy investigative series' 2nd season brought back the cast's key 3 nucleus. Some of the most intelligent British women during WWII were brought to Bletchley as code breakers. They helped win the war. At that time it was a secret, hidden operation, and remained a national secret for decades afterward. This dramatic series reveaed some of the history and aftermath. In the early 1950s Bletchley gals have moved on to marriage and kids. However, the stellar code breaking abilities are yet keen in the minds of these women. That can't be forgotten so easily. And now, they operate independently, without protection of the British forces. The second season expanded to four episodes, one more than season 1. The story continued from one episode to a second. That pattern was repeated for a second lengthy two-part drama. The suspense never slowed, so expect no difference in series two. The women that found themselves caught between wartime and post-war normalcy were tough, smart, strong, and determined. Yes, it is a female focused series, but content is for all who enjoy strong thriller/suspense and a challenge to never being sure of the conclusion. Code breaking revolved around patterns, and a pattern could change in a heartbeat. So could lives. A realistic look at what it was probably like for the gals who worked at wartime Bletchley, followed by their struggle to blend into the subdued British lifestyle after the war. It's intense period suspense with costumes, sets, and props doing the appropriate 1950s era. I know, I lived during those years. Blood on their Hands: pt 1 & 2 Uncustomed Goods: pt 1 & 2 Link: The Bletchley Circle: Cracking a Killer's Code

I saw the first series on PBS and then found it on sale at Amazon. Did not know if they would ever make more of the stories, but what a find to see it on PBS and then on Amazon just released. These are so well written and acted during the few years after WWII and what the women were supposed to do after the war. The US had it's same let down of women in work after the war. But Britain was closer to the action earlier and it is good to have that part also at the beginning of the series. The bonus of the actors and writers is very helpful to see how much the work was to put into the time period. Great series.

The first season is the best with all four original stars. In the second season, one of the ladies Susan leaves and the absence is missed. The stories are good and enjoyable but lacks the original chemistry. Highly recommend though.

Riveting mystery series to enjoy more than once.

I am fascinated with this time in history. The stories are solved in such a unique way. These women obviously played very important roles in the ww2 using their gifts of seeing patterns and ability to decode situations. When it said seson two, I assumed it would be more than four episodes . I want more !!!!! It is so well done I do not want to wait long for season three.

The two separate stories in this Season 2 are excellent and superbly acted I love how the actual mystery does not overshadow the character development and detailed social history in this drama. I hope they will be making more stories for the women of Bletchley. What a refreshing series!

This is the first time I have used Amazon and was pleased with the delivery of the two DVD's. I have seen the Bletchley Circle on PBS and visited Bletchley Park a few years ago - very impressive and well worth a visit. My purchases are a stocking stuffer for someone who I am sure will enjoy watching them. Look fforsard to using Amazon in the future'

I loved the first series of Bletchley Circle. Bletchley was a top secret code breaking establishment that cracked the famous German Enigma Code that helped win World War II. The five young women in this wonderful suspenseful series have recently retired from working in Bletchley. They are very smart but cannot reveal to anybody what they did during the War. So, in late forties and early fifties London, they are treated with all the usual condescension reserved for women in a male dominated society. Quietly and under cover, they find and solve two major crimes that the UK police have either been totally baffled by, or have quite misunderstood. The period settings are wonderfully well recreated - I know, I can still remember the time well! The acting is outstanding - low key, down to earth, very naturally human. The suspense comes from the manner in which they think through and crack the mysteries using skills they learned as code breakers. That coupled with a great understanding of human nature. After all good code breakers have to suss out the people code setting on the other side! Very satisfying to watch! I heartily recommend it! This second series is, if anything, even better than the first!

This is an outstanding series. We enjoyed the first season and were thrilled that a second season emerged. The stories are gripping and the acting is terrific. If you like crime/detective/spy type films of high quality, then you can't go wrong. My only disappointment is that there aren't ten discs or more! Highly recommend!!!

My wife and I have been downloading The Bletchley Circle season 1 and 2. We download them the day after they are shown in the UK (we live in Florida) and watch them without commercials. They are FANTASTIC! What a clever concept! The writers make the transference from code breaking to crime solving effortlessly. We have seen three of the four episodes in season 2 and looking forward to the fourth one next Monday. In season 2 two episodes make up one story; the first one was every bit as good as season one. We buy these because we enjoy watching them multiple times. My worry is availability of subtitles. Today's performers mumble a lot and subtitles help! The first series advertised English and Norwegian subtitles. We just received it today so we will enjoy Season one all over again! Hooray for ITV!

I first viewed the season 1 because of the series association with WW 2 code-breakers; my mum worked in New York during the War with the Brits in a similar environment. I found the season 1 to be thrilling, dark themed, the women's characters to be well developed, the sets incredible for post war UK, and was won over! The mores of the times, the way women were treated and expected to be a lesser being was jarring but true. The season 2 continues with the same aspects and again I am transported to 1952 as they track down nasty people using their unusual yet effective skills. Plus these women have guts! Highly recommend Season 2!

Strange to say that I first watched this on television, and can remember being disappointed with the weaker plot and the loss of Anna Maxwell Martin. I would, therefore, have given a three star rating to it. But I have now watched the DVD, and it seems better the second time around. To be fair, Anna does not leave immediately. I felt that the second part had a weaker storyline, and not quite as much link with Bletchley, which made the first series more exciting. I enjoyed the series, and award it a generous four stars, but some of the other scathing comments are very chauvinistic, and ill deserving of a mere one star. In fact, I bet that some of the reviewers would have given it nought! Believe me, it is not nearly as bad as that.