For a couple of years now, I've gotten e-mails from Kristie J talking about BBC's four-episode series North & South, urging me to watch it. As busy as I am, I thanked her for the recommendation — but I didn't follow up on it.

Then I found North & South on Netflix and decided to put it in my queue ahead of Tristan & Isolde. It arrived last week, but I didn't have time to watch it.

Last week was a very busy week for me, with lots going on at the Capitol and way too much to do at work. I worked ev...