I was just raced to my computer to raise the same objection. Foyle's War presents a vision of Britain during and after the Second World War that is about as sunny and nostalgic as Orwell's 1984. But I do agree with the rest of the argument. Mind you, there is something else at play: My own heritage is not British, but I (and a number of my former students from Ryerson) are fascinated by the attention to detail and the technical expertise the contestants need. I think it makes us long for a life we never experienced and that may never have existed, when people had enough free time to master the intricacies of assembling a Religieuse or crafting the perfect Simnel Cake. I've always wanted to make a Simnel Cake ...