The Canadian Experience

This episode in the series is a documentary about three literary sisters of the 1830s, one who stayed in England and hobnobbed with the upper crust, one who rejoiced in the hardship of life in the Bush in Canada, and one who documented the bleakness of pioneer life.

The documentary uses short historical recreations, but does not let them flow into a continuous narrative. It is almost like lingering over a photo album, allowing each picture to tell a short story before moving on to the next.

This approach keeps emotional distance from the characters, but it does give you a broad picture of the three lives. You come away with immense admiration for our pioneering ancestors and a renewed love for the beauty of Canada.

Severn Thompson plays Susanna Moody with a captivating cultivated English accent that is like a cool glass of water on a scorching day.