Instruct: Classify a review into positive or negative sentiment.
Query: Nice costumes, sluggish adaptation

I've only watched the first two episodes of this series, but I have to say I am disappointed. The pace drags, and Geraldine McEwen and Nigel Hawthorne are so mannered as to be almost unwatchable. However, perhaps it will pick up as it goes along and the actors get into their roles, as another reviewer wrote. Geraldine McEwen certainly looks the part, very Erte, with a new outfit for almost every scene, and Rye is a lovely back-drop, but being shot on video gives it that very 'made for television' quality.If you are tossing up whether to watch the series or read the books, then please read the books!