Random Thoughts About UK Television

So I watched the last part of Midwinter of the Spirit and, to be honest, it was a bit of a let down. It was all boxed off a little too easily and it just became a bit too cheesy, even for me. Still, considering it was only a 3 parter it was an enjoyable offering. Probably may have been better to pitch it a little later in the year. You know, winter rather than autumn when the cold nights start drawing in early and you need the cosy log burner on.

Whilst Midwinter of the Spirit was running on ITV the Beeb had Dr. Foster as its direct competition. At first I didn't think it would be my cup of tea but this tale of a woman scorned packed a punch. Dr. Foster has an idyllic life. Good job. Husband with a good job and a well respected man of the small local community. Nice kid etc. Until she starts to uncover little things pointing towards her husband cheating on her.

It could have done with being condensed into 4 episodes rather than the 5 it had (episode 4 especially felt like it was treading water and almost lost the momentum it had built up) but all in all it was good entertainment. Suranne Jones and Bertie Carvel work well together as the main couple and the supporting cast is uniformly good. The dinner scene in the last episode was an outstanding piece (albeit too small) of TV.

 

Caught up with the latest 4 part crime thriller from the Beeb, From Darkness.

Didn't do it for me. Too 'bitty' and too many inconsistencies. By the 4th episode both the inconsistencies and the main characters were starting to annoy me.

 

BBC's new 7 part nature documentary The Hunt has started.

Richard Attenborough on narration duties (as per) but the stars of the show are of course the hunters and the prey, and the stunning camerwork. Infact the visuals throughout are truly breathtaking. Also, the how this was done segment that is now the norm at the end of each episode in nature docs was also extremely interesting.

All in all, fabulous TV. (if you like that sort of thing)

 

Definitely agree it could, and should, have been condensed down from 5 episodes but I enjoyed it throughout and thought it held together quite well.

Can't see any mileage in a 2nd series though. Pointless attempt at cashing in on the success of the original.

 

Anyone else watching series 2 of The Returned? I loved the first series and I reckon this is about the best thing on British TV at the minute. I'm actually glad it's subtitled as it certainly helps focus the mind on the subject matter as there is hardly a wasted scene or sentence. I have actually re-watched episode 3 and 4 (we're currently up to episode 4 and the halfway point of the 2nd series) twice to make sure I haven't missed anything.

Mogwai have, again, provided the soundtrack. Great work by them also.

 

Yep. Quite enjoying this as well but still to catch up with the most recent episode so don't give anything away.

 

Season 1?

It certainly is a favourite of mine. It's nice to see a British TV series with such high production values. You can clearly see the money has been well spent. It also helps to have a stellar cast and a well written, entirely believable, storyline.

At the time I was getting into this I was also watching the last of Boardwalk Empire which seemed to tail off quite alarmingly at the end.

I hope Peaky Blinders doesn't suffer the same fate.

 

I never did get around to watching the last two episodes of this. @comme did I miss out...?

Currently working my way through The Last Kingdom. Will watch the finale later tonight.

 

I'm with @usscouse on The Last Kingdom. I enjoyed it. Before I started watching it from my planner I'd heard it had pacing issues but that never seemed to be the case for me.

I would say though that if there were to be a 2nd series the death of a major character (a favourite of mine throughout the show) could dampen the appeal a tad. I also get the feeling that the central character isn't the easiest to take a shine too. My personal preference was towards the afore mentioned person and David Dawson (King Alfred).

What can be said for Uhtred was that his character traits remained true throughout the 8 episodes and didn't alter to suit plot etc.

Only thing I felt a little let down by was the fact that the Danes were portrayed very one dimensionally when there was scope to alter that from as early as episode 2.

 

Hmm... but gutted I didn't stick it out. I blame the wife. It sat on the planner for so long until she decided she couldn't watch it as she would struggle to pick up from where it had left off in episode 2.