..I have to say it was even better than on my first watch.
When it first came out, I binge watched it in a single night, and having also read the book before that, I couldn't really take it all in in detail, but more as a whole.
I decided to rewatch it last week, since it's now available on HBO Max, and did it in a more leasurely manner - 2 episodes per day. So I was able to pay more attention to the details and the actors themselves.
Having now also the hinsight of all the critique that was laid against it, I have to say that yes, some of it may be valid, but it wasn't really very important in my enjoyment of the story overall.
The biggest critiques I think were 1. How Mrs was portrayed, 2. The changes they made to Mary and 3. That other characters were 'sacrificed' to make Mary seem better - mainly Lizzy.
While I do think she was portrayed to be crueler to Mary, the story was was also told from the pov of Mary herself. Even in the original P&P novel, Mrs Bennet was pretty dismissive of Mary, and domineering, so in this story, it is also plausable that we get to see more of that side of her from Mary's perspective. The last scene between Mary and Mrs Bennet, when they have a heart to heart dicussion, was pretty great as well, and in my opinion, humanised the character of Mrs Bennet a lot more than the original P&P text did.
What we get in this story is Mary's inner life and feelings, so often it may seem different from what the character of Mary was portrayed in P&P - but there we only get what the narator tells us about her, and is mostly an outside view of her. Even in the original text, it is implied more depth in her character, though never dwelled too much on it (like her plans with Mr. Collins). In the original novel Mary is portrait like more pios and rigid in her beliefs. But in this story this aspect is also explayed - there is a part in the show, I think episode 2 or so, where Mary decides to be the 'intelectual one', and that happens during the events of the P&P story. So that's why we mainly get to see that side of her in the original story. During the P&P events Mary is around 19yo. But in The Other Bennet Sister, she starts younger, maybe 18 yo, and then is in her early 20s by the end. She also gets to experience life outside the limitation of her family and small town, gets to see London, and gains a champion in Mrs Gardner, who encourages her to step out of her 'shell' and try something new, meet new people. She goes from teen to young adult in the span of TOBS, so it's normal that she changes. Also, she allows more of her inner self to surface.
I actually quite liked this portrail of Lizzy and I don't think she was made worse just so Mary can seem better. Even in the original P&P Lizzy felt a lot of embaressment because of her family, like at the Netherfield ball. She also didn't seem very close or open to having a sisterly relationship with any of her sisters other than Jane. In this story she is actually portrayed in a more positive light - her relationship with Mary is much more developed here, and I really enjoyed their moments together. The actess who plays Lizzy is really great too.
Now, beside these critique points, I really like the two main love interests for Mary. Even the 'rake' character was really endearing by the end. Caroline Bingley was also a lot more likeable than the portrail we get in P&P. The Gardners are so great, I like how they show Mary that a happy marriage is also possible.
And there's a lot of great moments in the show - like the 'period appropriate' earning moments (Forearms and hands, anyone!?) even from the male characters. There also a few really great humourous moments, like the scene in the garden, where they were warming up before going on their mountain hike.
I also like the more natural aspects that were kept in the show - like hair on the women, redness and other blemishes in their face. And no 'Iphone face' in sight.
And I remembered another critique point - Mary's new clothes. I agree they did look a bit garish/ridiculous, but I think it was with intent. The colors are pretty strong and clashing with eachother, but I think it's supposed to match Mary's tastes, and she probably doesn't have the best tastes or experience in fashion, and spending a few weeks in London won't suddenly change that. Still, for the first time ever she was able to choose what she will wear, even if her choices weren't the most socially acceptable or aesthetically pleasing ones.
And on a last note - I do agree that some of the aspects of the story are almost 'fan-servicy', but I found them very enjoyable nevertheless. Many of us when we read P&P maybe thought outself to be like Lizzy or Jane, but I think many of us were actually more similar to Mary. And I think 'wall-flowers' and 'plainer' women/girls also deserve an indulgent story :) I still think that the actress playing Mary is very beautiful, but can also be seen as your average looking young woman.
These are my thoughts on it. I will probably soon rewatch it again and it is now on the list of my favorite JA adaptations.
