1st, I wanted to thank you for your excellent commentary on Harlots, as well as the critical analysis of all those you've reblogged. It's enriched my experience of the show and given me better insight into women's experiences of the time. Not to mention all the super character analysis! I look forward to your continued critiques.
2nd, I have to agree with @priscillajeanohare, @mal-eficents and your criticism of the treatment of Haxby post episode 4. I wish the subsequent writers had continued the work Debbie O’Malley had put in to developing his character. His merry war with Charlotte was such wicked fun… and I don’t believe a more subtly shaded Haxby would have diminished Charlotte presence in the slightly. In fact, having Haxby and Marney represented as fairly 2D characters is doing nothing but dampen Charlotte’s story.
First of all — thank YOU for your kind message. I actually feel the exact same way regarding how much insight, into both history and the show, I’ve gained from all of the excellent commentary from other people in this fandom. As a writer / lover of stories, I like to give my two cents about narrative aspects where I can, but I’m not much of a historian, to be honest, so reading the thoughts of so many Harlots fans who are well-versed in the time period has been enlightening and invaluable.
Secondly — for me, Haxby’s characterization has been fascinating from the beginning, and every part of it actually works super well for me right up until his final scene in 1.06. That’s when I feel that the balanced portrayal — spiteful yet still worthy of sympathy — that the narrative had afforded him thus far begins to … slip. I, too, delighted in his rivalry with Charlotte, and I agree that although Charlotte should not ever be overshadowed by any of the men in her life — that it is imperative that she always be the primary figure in her arc, which is a major arc of the show overall — her story would only be further enriched by supporting characters who are as complicated and interesting as she is, never diminished by them.
