Listen/Watch/Read Pip-Life

Ten Reasons I Love Foyle’s War

June 14, 2017
Foyle's War

Honestly, in a world gone mad, Foyle’s War is a make-believe-yet-historically-accurate welcome refuge. Do you know why? Here is why. Just watch it already.

(Yes it is about wartime England, but it’s very bolstering nonetheless. Trust me.)

Firstly, Foyle is the kind of think-first-chat-later gent of few words that you want in your corner. He says little, but he says it well and he will not waste a single character/word, as if he is a human version of Twitter.

Secondly, Sam. Gosh. What clever and sassy young woman she is. She is always watching and will just dip into an investigation with the right thing at the right time. Plus – excellent hair and uniform wearing.

Thirdly, Foyle Jnr. He’s a cray cray pilot who flies planes UNDER bridges, but is also just a generally dapper and principled gent.

Fourthly, tea. There is so much tea. In fact, in one scene a woman whose husband has just died in a bomb raid is sat on a chair amidst the rubble of her home and someone calls for a mid-rubble cuppa to be delivered.

Fifthly, sandwiches. All the little sandwiches in dining rooms edged with lush curtains all of the gosh darned cucumber time.

Sixthly, gardens. Oh the gardens. They are manicured. Or they are rambling. They are heavy on meadows, ponds, pillars and pebbles. And various bird life. It’s very relaxing to see.

Seventhly, drinks. I am not even a drinker but the little glasses of sherry and punch and the like have me wishing for a turn around the dance floor. And I am not even a dancer.

Eighthly, villages. Foyle’s War has villages with proper shops and cobblestone roads and lovely painted signs and things. People mill about with their baskets full of provisions for a picnic or Ploughman’s Lunch later down the track and I want in.

Ninethly, pace. Each episode is movie length as the red herrings are dotted about and the preliminary and tiny, edge of mouth smiles are sprinkled. We learn that every line must be listened to carefully because they don’t like to waste things in wartime England.

Tenthly, cars. I know. This seems unlike me, but the cars are so shiny with skinny tyres and the people inside put their hands outside the window to grab the handle and open the door. It’s the kind of keep calm and carry on that I like to witness.

Are you a Foyle’s fan too? Say yes.

x Pip

PS: Ohmigod Poldark is coming back.

19 Comments

  • Reply Victoria October 8, 2017 at 7:10 PM

    OMG I’m so glad I can finally come out of the closer re my love of Foyles War thanks Pip!

  • Reply Nicole August 14, 2017 at 6:57 AM

    Hi Pip,
    I have just discovered Foyles War, since moving to Hastings. Am loving watching the show and then discovering all of the picture perfect places.
    N
    xx

  • Reply Evie June 27, 2017 at 4:52 PM

    I absolutely adore Foyles War!! 😀
    and YAY Poldark!
    ~Evie

  • Reply fabfiona June 23, 2017 at 5:37 PM

    I love, love, love it too Pip! When it first came out my mum was still alive and we used to talk about it a lot. She had been child during WW2 (and knitted socks for the soldiers when she was only about 10!) and remembered the immediate post war years really well. Foyle’s War prompted lots of talk about things we wouldn’t have talked about otherwise like clothing and food shortages and women using parachute silk for making weddings dresses. I still love watching the repeats- the handmade jumpers, the making do with any food or materials available, the frocks, the attention to historical detail. And Sam. What a gem!

  • Reply Patrick C June 17, 2017 at 4:56 PM

    Pip,

    There is only one word to describe Foyles War. Grand.

    I’ve been a fan from the first episode all those years ago, simply because when Aunty ABC was promoting it they ran the scene of that most glorious of mechanical marvels The Supermarine Spitfire roared across my television screen. There is nothing like seeing one in flight and the orchestra of sound that is a Rolls Royce Merlin engine.

    From the first episode the plots and character development were great and progressed in the correct sequences of a historical pedant like myself.

    You are right you would want Foyle by your side. In the post war episodes his stoic honesty will inspire because without giving away the plot post war, cold war Britain was a time of may secrets and of much dishonesty in the intelligence departments of the Civil Service.

    Enjoy Pip

  • Reply Laura June 17, 2017 at 8:31 AM

    I am such a “Foyle’s War” fan, we spent three days in Hastings during our most recent trip to the UK. Took in the Royal Vic, Rock-a-Nore beach, and, yes, Foyle’s house on Steep Lane!

    • Reply Pip June 17, 2017 at 12:30 PM

      Oh my GOSH, Laura! That is amazing!!! I am so jealous!

  • Reply Isabel June 15, 2017 at 12:15 PM

    I’ve never seen an episode, like Kaisievic, but after your ten well-reasoned reasons to watch it, I think I might love it! Thanks for the heads up, Pip!

  • Reply Nicole June 14, 2017 at 7:21 PM

    I used to watch it years ago when it came on a Sunday evening on ABC. I get a bit excited when I stumble upon it.
    Also, Sam’s real life name is Honeysuckle! I love that!

  • Reply Claire June 14, 2017 at 4:35 PM

    It’s one of my all-time favourites. I even had a Foyle-themed party for my 30th…. I love the joy of small things when rationing was so strict – Sam gets so excited just smelling an onion, and the Sam and Foyle relationshipij particular is beautiful.

    • Reply Dita Katz June 14, 2017 at 5:31 PM

      LOVE it. Wish it would be return.
      By popular demand, Sir Anthony.
      Please.?

  • Reply Lisa June 14, 2017 at 3:48 PM

    And I didn’t mention the knitwear before. The cardigans and jumpers and men wearing hats and braces to hold their trousers up.

  • Reply Kate June 14, 2017 at 10:53 AM

    I have only watched a couple of episodes, I’m often out voted!
    I do love it though.

    • Reply Pip June 14, 2017 at 11:09 AM

      I watch it on my computer, like most things, now! x

      • Reply Kate June 15, 2017 at 9:41 AM

        I’ve resisted this thinking that if we are all in the same room watching something on tv we are connecting. Pfft so not true, funny I remember when I thought all of us watching tv together wasn’t connecting, now with young adult children and smart phones tv feels like a family activity 🙁

  • Reply Kaisievic June 14, 2017 at 9:15 AM

    I have never watched Foyle’s War but I am sure that it is something that I would enjoy one day.

    • Reply Pip June 14, 2017 at 11:08 AM

      Let us know, if you do!!! x

  • Reply Di June 14, 2017 at 9:06 AM

    Absolutely Pip its just so beautifully constrained in a time of political and public upheaval

    • Reply Pip June 14, 2017 at 11:08 AM

      And such lovely hairdos and frocks! xx

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