Thats what I do. It is nice to watch on Sunday.

Only seen episode 1 so far but really enjoyed it - the camel's expressions are priceless

Very enjoyable.

http://www.chesterzoo.org/global/abo...-zoo-bbc-drama

http://www.chesterzoo.org/global/abo...ma/our-history

You know it is a really good program when you feel sad that there are only three episodes left! I got a strange look tonight when I actually clapped the penguins coming out of the van

Just watched the latest episode, and I really enjoyed it again.

I saw most of the first episode by pure chance and thought it was good.

So I have watched the next two episodes and am loving it.

The vicar is indeed hard to figure out and an intriguing character. He seems at one moment to give the family the benefit of the doubt and then behind their backs is against them.

Penguins seemed to clinch the deal.

That scene was amazing and heart warming! Even my other half who hadn't really been paying attention took notice and he was hooked. The penguins were so cute.
And can I say that the cast are great especially June and Ralf Little has surprised me. Good casting.

They should repeat it on a Sunday teatime. There isn't anything in it that belongs after the watershed.

I would have preferred The Village to have the Wednesday timeslot and vice versa to be honest.

http://www.chesterzoo.org/memories/z...rything&page=1
June Williams is the daughter of George Mottershead, founder of Chester Zoo. Here she shares her memories of her father.

That was a nice scene. I suppose the villagers found the penguins both exotic and cute and most importantly not dangerous so they turned the tide of opinion.

I've really fallen for this programme and it's become a must see. The penguins were lovely. Hope they help end the animosity from the villagers, that's if the Mottisheads can get to the runaway bear before anyone one from the village does! Keep hoping the female bear is about to give birth and she's not ill at all but having said that lying so still with her back to the camera 'her acting' is fabulous.

There is something quite unique about penguins, not sure what it is about them but when we visited Marwell last year we spent hours with them.
My husband also thinks the bear is ready to give birth which in itself is shocking because he never picks up these things.
All in all, this by far the best thing on TV this year, loving it

I was thinking she might be pregnant too. Although it's also possible she is slipping into Hibernation?

This is such a great programme. We know George succeeded but I find myself really rooting for him. Parts of it are so heartwarming I almost cry! The scene with the birds and then the penguins! Who doesn't love penguins? Love Sydney the camel and Mortimer, and I hope the male bear doesn't cause any trouble next week. and I hope the female bear is pregnant as another poster said!
A Sunday teatime repeat would be a good idea (as someone said up thread).

To me, the vicar is an open book, in that he will do anything to get back at George for humiliating him at the regimental reunion, and buying the house he wanted to get his hands on. All the being "nicey nicey" (such as his offer of using the organ to Lizzie )is a smokescreen to hide his nasty streak and to get information to use against the family even if it means getting information out of a little kid.

After all, how many of the villagers would carry on supporting him if they found out how shallow he truly is?.

As to ep 3, nice touch with the penguins I thought, and a good episode all round especially Mu growing up a bit and taking some of the load off the others.

Can see old Lucy realising first about the vicar, and giving him a right old upbraiding about it....

For those who have read the original book on which the series is based, is there enough in it to make more than one series?.......(no spoilers of course)

I am loving this series. ..my son is a zoo keeper and over the years has come home with all kinds of birds and animals from cockatoos to macaws had an emu for years and even a tamarin monkey. .I have no doubt if he had been around in this era before health and safety laws were so strict this would be him..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04gvbkz
Drama series based on the true story of the Mottershead family who, in the face of staunch opposition and huge personal sacrifice, founded Chester Zoo in the 1930s.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...t-9709985.html
Our Zoo (BBC1) differs in many respects from Benjamin Mee's 2008 book, We Bought a Zoo (later the Matt Damon movie), in that its protaganist begins a zoo from scratch (literally, his first purchase is a monkey) and it's in the 1930s.

But there are similarities. George Mottershead, a wounded First World War veteran, is portrayed here as dealing with post-traumatic stress. Aided by his parents, who sold their shop to raise money, he bought Oakfield Manor, which would become Chester Zoo. Mee was a freelance journalist who bought the ailing Dartmoor Zoo with help of his mother, lost his wife soon after and finally found happiness among the Siberian tigers and white-naped cranes.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-...un-for-decades

There is another thread running about what three minutes of television people remember. I think the scene with the penguins is going to become one that most people will remember. It was carefully handled so we had no idea what was in the back of the van before the door was opened, brilliant bit of writing.

It is such a lovely heart warming program and it is definately one of my favourite programs of the year. It should be repeated every Sunday also. I reckon it would get a lot of viewers on that day.

Oh dear, only 3.98 million for last night.

Really hoped this would improve, but the beeb cant be overjoyed with these ratings so any hope for further series must be looking remote atm....

A repeat at a more family friendly time would encourage a better audience for a second series.

I know the basic story of the Mottershead family buying the property and setting up the zoo is true, but how many of the incidentals were fact? Did he really walk penguins through the village? Was there really a scheming vicar and a hostile shopkeeper with a son who fell for the older daughter. Was the younger one bullied at school? She's still alive and gave this interview recently:

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/...-whose-6896683

This is such a sweet touching series and so well acted by everyone !...loved the "penguin walk " the series reminds me of the sentiments of "The railway children" and "all creatures great and small "...hopefully this series will be up for a few awards next year !..it certainly deserves it !

Thanks Willpurry and gurney for the links....

Does anyone know how to find the AI (appreciation index is what its called right?)ratings for this?.

I Think the BBC totally misjudged how well received and popular this series would be !...typical BBC !

Somebody on the ratings thread might be able to help.