I've struggled so hard with this. Let me put my cards on the table - the BBC dramatisation of Poldark in the 70's was the best historical drama they have ever done imo (and they set the bar high). I have had the box set of DVD's for years and dig them out periodically to watch all over again. So, a new production was always going to be a hard act to follow for me.
What I think Debbie Horsfield has done is write a version of Poldark for the modern age. And judged on it's merits she has succeeded. And yet...
The acting is good, but this version just seems to lack a true sense of the period and for me it loses something. At a basic level it sometimes seems like a bunch of post modern pretty things in fancy dress. At it's worst we had Demelza reacting to Ross's indiscretion with Elizabeth with a defiant feminist diatribe that would have any self respecting woman nodding approval. But it is supposed to be the fucking 18th century Angharad Rees's Demelza in the 70's managed to convey her superficial defiance with the knowledge of her vulnerability and the hopelessness of her position without Ross. Similarly the 70's Elizabeth oozed a sense of class and entitlement that the current actress doesn't seem to "get". There are numerous other examples. But hey, my wife loves it.
I've struggled so hard with this. Let me put my cards on the table - the BBC dramatisation of Poldark in the 70's was the best historical drama they have ever done imo (and they set the bar high). I have had the box set of DVD's for years and dig them out periodically to watch all over again. So, a new production was always going to be a hard act to follow for me.
What I think Debbie Horsfield has done is write a version of Poldark for the modern age. And judged on it's merits she has succeeded. And yet...
The acting is good, but this version just seems to lack a true sense of the period and for me it loses something. At a basic level it sometimes seems like a bunch of post modern pretty things in fancy dress. At it's worst we had Demelza reacting to Ross's indiscretion with Elizabeth with a defiant feminist diatribe that would have any self respecting woman nodding approval. But it is supposed to be the fucking 18th century Angharad Rees's Demelza in the 70's managed to convey her superficial defiance with the knowledge of her vulnerability and the hopelessness of her position without Ross. Similarly the 70's Elizabeth oozed a sense of class and entitlement that the current actress doesn't seem to "get". There are numerous other examples. But hey, my wife loves it.
No one could play Elizabeth in a more wooden manner than Heida Reed. Not sure I have seen a worse performance in a BBC drama
This was briefly mentioned on a podcast I listen too, anyone watched it?
Yes. Enjoyed it. If you like Scandi-noire you'll enjoy this. Not as good at the Killing or the Bridge but most things aren't. One of the better things I watched last year.
I'm really hooked on the Scandi Nordic noir dramas. The killing, The Bridge, Trapped and Borgen, that when i watch The level , Paranoid or the Missing ?
I have the sub titles on and the sound turned down.
This was briefly mentioned on a podcast I listen too, anyone watched it?
Yes. Enjoyed it. If you like Scandi-noire you'll enjoy this. Not as good at the Killing or the Bridge but most things aren't. One of the better things I watched last year.
Seconded. Actually the weather is a major star, and I don't say that to demean the actors, the lead guy is very good. Good to watch in winter, with the lights low, and candles glowing, Scandi style.
By contrast I watched Deep Water, currently running in BBC4's Saturday night crime slot where you usually find these Scandis. It's set in Sydney, more specifically Bondi, lead role a female detective with some "past". In other words, Aussie noir, except you can't really do "noir" against a backdrop of sunshine and gorgeous beaches. It's OK while we wait for the serious players to return after Christmas, both the Bridge and Spiral are due.
We've just started watching Timeless on our new Kodi. It's a bit short on intellectual content but the stories are well conceived and it hits the spot for a twelve year old and his Dad that has the same mental age.
Just finished catching up on Luke Cage. Thoroughly enjoyed its '70s blaxplotion vibe although the plot had more holes than a Trump golf course in a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
I've now started on Westworld. Episode One has set the scene very well. SPOILER ALERT: that bit at the end where she swats the fly tells you call you need to know about where this is going, even if you haven't read the book or seen the film.
Just finished catching up on Luke Cage. Thoroughly enjoyed its '70s blaxplotion vibe although the plot had more holes than a Trump golf course in a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
I've now started on Westworld. Episode One has set the scene very well. SPOILER ALERT: that bit at the end where she swats the fly tells you call you need to know about where this is going, even if you haven't read the book or seen the film.
I watched Luke Cage with my son (who is 12) back to back but with a couple of episodes left we decided to google the ending as it was becoming too monotonous and boring. We didn't bother watching the end as we both predicted what was going to happen. I felt it was very much like the Daredevil season one that I watched. A succession of increasingly tough to kill opponents to deal with culminating in an excessively long fight with the big boss - just like a video game from the 80s or 90s.
Comments
Just stunning from start to finish.
Demelza - I'm disappointed in you.
Started watching The Crown, not normally something I would watch but after seeing only positive things given it a go. Pleasantly surprised.
Will make sure to watch the real thing tonight.
But as an aside, while music is always a personal thing I do find I am enjoying a lot of the current series of Later.
Let me put my cards on the table - the BBC dramatisation of Poldark in the 70's was the best historical drama they have ever done imo (and they set the bar high).
I have had the box set of DVD's for years and dig them out periodically to watch all over again.
So, a new production was always going to be a hard act to follow for me.
What I think Debbie Horsfield has done is write a version of Poldark for the modern age.
And judged on it's merits she has succeeded.
And yet...
The acting is good, but this version just seems to lack a true sense of the period and for me it loses something.
At a basic level it sometimes seems like a bunch of post modern pretty things in fancy dress.
At it's worst we had Demelza reacting to Ross's indiscretion with Elizabeth with a defiant feminist diatribe that would have any self respecting woman nodding approval.
But it is supposed to be the fucking 18th century
Angharad Rees's Demelza in the 70's managed to convey her superficial defiance with the knowledge of her vulnerability and the hopelessness of her position without Ross.
Similarly the 70's Elizabeth oozed a sense of class and entitlement that the current actress doesn't seem to "get".
There are numerous other examples.
But hey, my wife loves it.
The killing, The Bridge, Trapped and Borgen,
that when i watch The level , Paranoid or the Missing ?
I have the sub titles on and the sound turned down.
By contrast I watched Deep Water, currently running in BBC4's Saturday night crime slot where you usually find these Scandis. It's set in Sydney, more specifically Bondi, lead role a female detective with some "past". In other words, Aussie noir, except you can't really do "noir" against a backdrop of sunshine and gorgeous beaches. It's OK while we wait for the serious players to return after Christmas, both the Bridge and Spiral are due.
Should be really Good
Best thing on TV
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38150313
First series of The Missing was so tedious I couldn't be arsed with the new one, I;ve heard it is much better, albeit very drawn out.
I've now started on Westworld. Episode One has set the scene very well. SPOILER ALERT: that bit at the end where she swats the fly tells you call you need to know about where this is going, even if you haven't read the book or seen the film.