[SergeiRachmaninov]

You said it well...it is way better than most things on TV. And it is such an august subject. With the freedom that PBS gives and the generous time without commercials...with the reputation of Burns, one expects a lot.

Your specific comments about the audio production sound right to me.

I would add that this production demonstrates that everybody -- even Ken Burns -- needs an editor. I don't have any objection at all to framing the film in terms of the four communities. But at times -- especially as each of these first two episodes began -- Burns seemed almost to be stretching to fill the time. I think it happens sometimes that when a filmmaker has profound subject matter but not quite the film to do it full justice, he becomes ponderous as a way of trying to convey the significance of it all.

[Interious]

“...he becomes ponderous as a way of trying to convey the significance of it all.”

Yes, precisely. ...Well put.