Product: Emma: A Victorian Romance - Season 2 (2008)
Rating: 5.0
The end of a traditional tale
This second set of Emma begins with a textbook example of how to do a recap episode, as Vivian's reading of Romeo and Juliet prompts Hakim to coyly recount to the audience what's happened so far in the grand fashion of a Shakespearean prologue. As it ends with him proclaiming that the "Second Act" is about to begin, we're off with the continuing story of Emma and William.As it begins, Mrs. Stowner's sad but natural passing has left Hakim - who isn't going to be in England forever - as the only remaining champion of Emma and William's relationship. Emma is, fortunately, not out on the streets, as she's quickly employed by mischievous, unconventional German expatriate Dorothea Molders - the woman she met at the train station at the end of the last set - who turns out to be a wonderful employer. Meanwhile, to Hakim's disappointment and dismay, William proposes to Eleanor in an attempt to please his father and forget Emma.Of course, this is a romance, so an outrageous coincidence throws Emma and William together again and William realizes his terrible mistake. But by that time Emma has started spending time with Mrs. Molders' gruff but kind handyman Hans, with whom she has alot in common - and if William humiliates Eleanor and the Campbell family by breaking the engagement at a late stage, it might ruin his father's business, his brothers' employment prospects, and his sisters' marriage prospects all in one shot, in addition to profoundly hurting Eleanor, who he doesn't love but considers a friend...Can William convince Emma that they can defy convention, as well as convince his family that she is worth the financial downsizing they might all face if he leaves Eleanor for Emma?The answer is no surprise, pretty much given away in the new opening sequence and by the fact that Hakim's one-episode prologue is delivered in a fairly light tone in spite of the Romeo and Juliet springboard. It's the execution of the story that's so wonderful. The new cast members are engaging, and the scenery of the Molders' country estate expands the Victorian world largely limited to the stunning depiction of London in the first set.Ultimately, Emma ranks at the highest level of slice of life anime, and is a must for the collection of any fans of that subgenre - as well as period piece fans or even anyone who simply wants a change from the action/adventure genre of most anime.