As the second series opens, we see that little has changed for the Durrells. Louisa (Keeley Hawes) receives a rude awakening from one of Gerald’s goats. Gerald (Milo Parker) and Roger wake up outside, as the goat is hustled down the stairs. At breakfast, Margo (Daisy Waterstone) complains about her mosquito bites. Louisa sorrowfully confesses that the family cannot afford mosquito nets. Once Larry (Josh O’Connor) and Leslie (Callum Woodhouse) make it to the kitchen, an all out scuffle ensues for the last pieces of bread. Louisa is forced to remind the kids that their family is poor. Seconds later, Gerald hits the road and finds a nest of birds nearby. Louisa hits the market and peddles her wares. She gives a visit from a rich fellow, Hugo Jarvis (Daniel Lapaine).

Hugo doesn’t hold back, as he brutally ridicules Louisa’s olives. However, he quickly changes his tune and agrees to turn her olives into oil. Louisa does her best to convince Hugo to leave, while Vasilia (Errika Bigiou) watches from a distance. It is clear Vasilia doesn’t appreciate the couple’s chatter. Seconds later, Leslie finds his brother suffering from writer’s block. Leslie dives into the nearby water to escape the day’s brutal heat. Gerald and Roger track otter prints. Margo tracks down her monk friend, Pavlos (Nick Oestis Chaniotakis). She makes a very untimely comment about her mosquito bites and God. When Louisa arrives home, she finds Vasilia in the kitchen. Vasilia reveals she is taking over the landlord duties for the property. Since Louisa and her family have failed to pay, Vasilia confiscates their furniture. Later, the family groups together and tries to come up with a plan to make money.

Louisa takes Hugo’s words as advice and insists they should start doing things properly. She encourages the family to make English food to sell at the market. The family is surprised and excited when Spiros (Alexis Georgoulis) strolls through the door. Spiros quickly tells Larry and Leslie to shave their moustaches, before blessing Louisa with compliments. In the morning, the family works diligently to prepare the farm and harvest the goat’s milk. Louisa begins to cook English food, while being ridiculed by Lugaretzia (Anna Savva). It becomes clear very quickly that the kids aren’t cut out for farming. Theo (Yorgos Karamihos) and the family enjoy tea, while Leslie fights off bees. Nevertheless, his body gets riddled with stings. At a group gathering, Larry confirms he needs to begin writing on his next novel. Louisa unveils her scotch eggs, which she believes will make the family a hit at the local market.

Louisa pays a visit to her old pal, Sven (Ulric von der Esch) and gives her some of her food. They speak about Louisa’s family briefly. Gerald manages to spot an otter, but Roger scares it away. Meanwhile, Larry manages to tick off the locals with his annoying typing. Margo delivers the family’s olives to Hugo. At the market, Vasilia watches Leslie and Louisa fail miserably. Larry finally hits a breaking point. He smashes his typewriter into the ground. Margo visits Pavlos and invites him over to dinner. Finally, Spiros arrives at the market and agrees to show Louisa how to make a profit. It takes a little practice and a scenery change, but Louisa begins to make progress. Gerald returns to the lake with Theo. They find that the otter has been killed. Back at home, Leslie and Margo get into a spat. During the heat of the moment, Leslie stupidly shoots Roger. The wound is minor, but he rushes the dog to the clinic to prevent Gerald from finding out.

Vasilia confronts Louisa and tries to take her money. Louisa puts up resistance and insists she’ll pay when she is ready. Vasilia gives her a week to pay or lose the house. Leslie speaks with Florence (Lucy Black) and Dr. Petrides (Alexis Conran). He manages to coax them into watching Roger for the time being. Back at home, Gerald tells his mother about the cruel traps left behind by the fishermen. Margo arrives and informs her mother that the olive oil is finally ready. Margo also reveals she has invited the monk over for dinner. Larry and Louisa have a laugh at Margo’s expense, after telling her that monks are celibate. That night, Pavlos joins the family. They waste no time asking him about his feelings regarding marriage and women. During the meal, Gerald learns that the Petrides couple has borrowed Roger. The next day, Hugo meets Louisa at the market with a bottle of olive oil in tow. He confesses he was wrong. The olives turned out better than expected.

Hugo convinces Louisa to come by and get the remaining bottles later. Back at home, Margo confesses to Lugaretzia that she is a drain on the family. Lugaretzia quickly agrees. Margo hears singing nearby and pledges to become a nun. Gerald tells Leslie what he’ll need to begin breeding otters. Larry pays a visit to Vasilia and tells her to back off. Of course, she uses her womanhood to intimidate him. Gerald visits the clinic and learns about Roger being shot. While he is there, a woman rushes in complaining about a stomach ache. Gerald transports Roger back home, before ridiculing Leslie. The entire family once again turns their anger towards Leslie and his firearms. Margo visits Theo and inquires about the lives of Greek nuns. They speak about Pavlos, before Margo is shown several books. In several photographs, the nuns are playing football and having a good time. That night, Louisa visits Hugo. She is invited inside for a drink. Louisa is serenaded, before she learns that Hugo is Vasilia’s ex-boyfriend. She makes a hasty exit.

The situation turns into a disaster when Louisa returns home. As it turns out, her food has poisoned the entire community. She tries to make things right the very next day. She also becomes suspicious that Vasilia might’ve sabotaged the food. Meanwhile, Gerald and Theo set a trap for an otter. Louisa speaks with Florence and learns about Vasilia’s nasty reputation. Margo visits the church and learns about God from Pavlos. She becomes bored almost immediately. Gerald’s trap snags an otter. Larry receives a replacement typewriter, before Louisa returns home and prepares to defend herself from Vasilia. At this time, Gerald returns with the otter. Margo returns dressed partially like a nun. Then, Louisa trots outside with a rifle in both arms. The chaos of his family finally gives Larry his inspiration. He realizes the story has been sitting in front of him all this time.

Leslie emerges and reveals the invention he has created to help Roger walk again. Unexpectedly, Vasilia arrives at the door. Louisa pays the money that is owed and demands the furniture returned. After Vasilia leaves, it is revealed that Spiros helped pay the debt. Louisa gives him a box full of poison-free food as a thank you. Hugo arrives with flowers. It is clear Spiros doesn’t like the guy one bit. However, Larry continues to bask in the chaos.

 

The Durrells In Corfu Review

The Durrells gets a lot of flack for being unrealistic. The characters are certainly a little obnoxious, but I still find it difficult not to enjoy the show. It might not be totally realistic or true to the story, but it doesn’t matter in the least. The series is lighthearted and pleasant from beginning to end. Gerald is undoubtedly the most sympathetic character of all, but the others add humor and a little bit of stupidity to help keep things interesting. As the second series begins, Louisa finds a new bachelor and a new nemesis.

I can’t wait to see how it all plays out. The opener deserves a 7.5 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of The Durrells in Corfu now!