‘The Larkins’ Recap: ‘In Which the Larkins Rescue the Railway Station’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘The Larkins’.

We live in a truly fascinating time when it comes to television. For not only are networks and studios pouring money into shows so they have a wonderful feel and a wonderful cast, something that never used to be the case, but they’re also injecting cinematic elements into the stories. Since we are now privy to powerful social commentary and serialized stories that keep us on the edge of our seats. But while these decisions have definitely brought forth a new golden age of television, one that has managed to engage us like never before… not every creative mind is eager to subscribe to elevated thinking when it comes to television.

For there are some creatives that just want the medium to entertain and put a smile on our faces and use the incredible resources available to them to really immerse people in a different world or time and one series that does just that is The Larkins on Acorn TV. For this series really is free from commentary and deeper concepts and simply immerses us in days gone by, courtesy of its 1950s setting and that carefree style of storytelling was never more prevalent than during this week’s episode. For ‘In Which the Larkins Rescue the Railway Station’ is a story that really did focus on just good vibes and moments we can relate to, and it accomplished those particular feats by way of two key storylines.

One of which involved the Railway Station in question. For once Pop Larkin found out there was a solid chance that the station was going to be closed due to lack of revenue, he did what he does best. He rallied the townsfolk and made everything about community and filled the station up with people to keep the trains rolling. Granted, there was a slight roadblock in making that happen, thanks to a station keeper with sticky fingers. But once he was out of the way, the community saved the station and the day, and it was just warm and fuzzy and wonderful to see a community rally around a common cause and make a difference and see Pop open everyone’s eyes to the cause in question. 

As for the relatable aspect of this story, well that was handled by Mariette and Charley, and Tom. Simply because Charley finally figured out that he was head over heels in love with Mariette and slowly worked to make it known to her, despite being chased by Pauline, and sadly… this quest for happiness served as a fine reminder that the song was right, and that love is indeed a battlefield. Since Charley had to compete with Tom, who used his excessive confidence and charm and funds to do his best to impress Mariette and prompt her to ‘choose’ him and while she didn’t… Tom definitely did a little bit of damage to Charley’s hopes, leaving the future of Charley and Mariette up in the air.

But what matters more, is that in the end, this episode really was flawless, feel-good entertainment through and through. Because you cannot go wrong with enjoying a story that features a relatable and realistic romance since Charley and Mariette did all the silly things the rest of us do when we’re in love, and it was just wonderful to see Pop Larkin really dig deep and rally the community to a just cause. Which makes this episode supremely refreshing and fun in nature and oddly impactful and well… this definitely leaves one eager to continue the journey. Since we simply don’t know what uplifting wonders await us in this era gone by and sadly, we will have to wait another week, to get our feel-good fix from a story that outright defies convention. Until next time.  

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