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Felt that the second episode of Dark Materials wasn't so good. Had the feeling of it all being about shuffling the plot into place for later events?

and with some odd changes compared to the books

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World on Fire

The seven-part first series of the BBC’s World on Fire came to an end last night (a second series has been confirmed).

I have to say it was a bit of a mixed bag, but overall it pleasing to have something WWII related to watch.

At its best it was brilliant, but there were a few not so good moments….large parts of episode 5 were a bit of a shocker….

Best of all was that the writers remembered the importance of writing characters that the audience cares about. In this they succeeded with a number of characters and the storylines they were given (even if historical accuracy was perhaps stretched…..).

Best of all were Shhhhaauauunnn Bbeaannn (Douglas) and Lesley Manville (Robina). This actor/actress combo were simply the class of the field, giving the show a degree of gravitas and a lesson in how to act and assisted by a nice story line. Robina was in danger of being a little too much of a caricature, but this formidable actress pulled it off. Bean, who allegedly checked with the director that Douglas wasn’t to be killed off, played his part to perfection and one couldn’t help but have massive sympathy for this wreck of a man (courtesy of the trenches of WWI). I loved (and hated!) the end where they parted – both seemingly wanting to say something to the other, but missing the opportunity…… watch this space (I hope). These two were given some excellent scenes and Robina and Jan (Harry’s little brother in law) at the school was a feel good moment.

Their offspring – Lois (Douglas) and Harry (Robina) – gave equally good account of themselves, as did Kasia (Harry’s Polish wife), Jan and Vernon (Lois’ intended and RAF pilot). I like how she changed her mind on him and the subject of marriage and why - very nicely done.

There were some annoying aspects, but these didn’t spoil the show too much. As mentioned previously, there seemed to be too much willingness to make this WWII for the social media generation – information seemed to be available on tap, including which ships were hunting Graf Spee, and what happened to the Exeter before the crew of the Exeter probably had time to realise…..

Everything seemed to have to happen at double speed – and they would have been better having more characters to share the work. Instead Douglas’ son Tom joins up after the start of war, has a quick basic training, is teleported to the South Atlantic, comes back after the River Plate in time to head for Dunkirk where he’s wounded, patched up and then assisted by the resistance who have already got an escape route to Spain planned…. Meanwhile SOE is up and running and Harry is parachuted into Poland in July 1940 for an implausible mission (and I’m not sure what aircraft could have done that or where it was supposed to have landed…..) even more so was the fact that he met up with…… his wife! Natch.

It perhaps goes with the times that the German family in the film are all anti-Nazi – although probably acceptable as a counter to the majority of Germans we come across who are good old fashioned bad guys.

The only character that really grates (but is no doubt necessary to sell to this production to the US) is Helen Hunt’s Nancy. For one thing she’s had too much facial work - she really doesn’t look good. There to tell the story of what is going on, she sticks her nose into the Nazi T4 Euthanasia program – of course!

So in summary, a reasonable first series and it’s welcome news that it will return. Let’s hope they get to dial back the storylines to keep within more historically accurate boundaries.

ORIGINAL: loki100

Felt that the second episode of Dark Materials wasn't so good. Had the feeling of it all being about shuffling the plot into place for later events?

and with some odd changes compared to the books

Not read the books but I liked the second episode better than the first. Was a bit worried about the series but the second episode hit the spot for me.

Watched the first episode of Guilt and liked that very much.

Best wishes,
Steve

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: loki100

if you've ever had the misfortune to have to deal with the Edinburgh legal establishment then you'll find one of the central characters all too familiar.

warspite1

Just watched episode 3 and things continue to ramp up... hopefully not an accurate depiction of the Edinburgh legal establishment [;)]

You said only 4 episodes so with just the 1 left its not at all clear how this is going to end for each of the parties but there are too many twists and turns here for everything to be wrapped up in 1 hour. So I am guessing a second series?

What is clear is that Jake, Angie and (and maybe Claire and Kenny) are the characters to be rooting for here.

Just watched episode 3 and I am loving this story.

Best wishes,
Steve

Discovering Battlestar Galactica. Starting season 2 right now. I know, I am late. [:D]

No spoilers please [:-]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: loki100

if you've ever had the misfortune to have to deal with the Edinburgh legal establishment then you'll find one of the central characters all too familiar.

warspite1

Just watched episode 3 and things continue to ramp up... hopefully not an accurate depiction of the Edinburgh legal establishment [;)]

You said only 4 episodes so with just the 1 left its not at all clear how this is going to end for each of the parties but there are too many twists and turns here for everything to be wrapped up in 1 hour. So I am guessing a second series?

What is clear is that Jake, Angie and (and maybe Claire and Kenny) are the characters to be rooting for here.

Just watched episode 3 and I am loving this story.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

Just seen the concluding episode. Excellent!!!! [:)]

ORIGINAL: warspite1


...

Just seen the concluding episode. Excellent!!!! [:)]

yep, Max's bid for the big time was short lived but fun to watch him trying

+++++ Care Spoilers+++++

What happened to Tina though - did she send the text or was it sent for her as she was otherwise indisposed.....??

I watched the first episode of "The Mandalorian". My vote is a solid Meh. A (banal) western with Star Wars painted on it. I hoped for more.

Still, the twist at the ending was strong enough to see what it will happen next, but I'll give to this show only another episode to convince me to follow it.

ORIGINAL: warspite1

+++++ Care Spoilers+++++

What happened to Tina though - did she send the text or was it sent for her as she was otherwise indisposed.....??

I assume she didn't send it voluntarily?

Discovering Battlestar Galactica. Starting season 2 right now. I know, I am late.

No spoilers please

If you like Sci-Fi - definitely better late than never !

ORIGINAL: loki100

ORIGINAL: warspite1

+++++ Care Spoilers+++++

What happened to Tina though - did she send the text or was it sent for her as she was otherwise indisposed.....??

I assume she didn't send it voluntarily?

Tina's phone but Tina disposed of is my guess.

An truly excellent series and many, many thanks to loki100 for recommending it.

Best wishes,
Steve

F.I.S.T with Sly Stallone.

ORIGINAL: shunwick

ORIGINAL: loki100

ORIGINAL: warspite1

+++++ Care Spoilers+++++

What happened to Tina though - did she send the text or was it sent for her as she was otherwise indisposed.....??

I assume she didn't send it voluntarily?

Tina's phone but Tina disposed of is my guess.

An truly excellent series and many, many thanks to loki100 for recommending it.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

That is my guess too. End of the day she is stealing from a bunch of gangsters. I can't see them taking that well. That said of course, I can't see them leaving either brother alive....

But its a good job they did - or at least in the case of Jake who was a thoroughly watchable, likeable, vulnerable character. So pleased he got to ride off into the sunset with the very-attractive-in-an-understated-way-Angie [:)]

Yes, many thanks again loki - not a series I would have picked out to watch without the recommendation.

we heard about it by word of mouth, it was woefully under-advertised by BBC Scotland given it was their first relatively major in-house production since the new format/Channel was set up a couple of years back.

and agree, in the end everyone (apart from poor Tina) sort of ended up where they deserved/expected. I assume the Russians will be looking for a discount on their future SLP deals?

War of the Worlds anybody? Found it perfectly ok ... in fact it was ok

ORIGINAL: loki100

War of the Worlds anybody? Found it perfectly ok ... in fact it was ok

warspite1

I will catch up on it this week. I forgot it was on to be honest. We were watching a recording of the Prince Andrew debacle.....

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: loki100

War of the Worlds anybody? Found it perfectly ok ... in fact it was ok

warspite1

I will catch up on it this week. I forgot it was on to be honest. We were watching a recording of the Prince Andrew debacle.....

warspite1

Mmmmm the jury is defo out on this one. All a bit er... I don't know really.... but there is something lacking. The martians aren't particularly impressive and the whole thing seems a little underwhelming... And it looks like there might be some sort of dual storyline thing going on too - which may or may not work.

I'll toon in next time but I do hope it bucks up a bit!!

At least Eleanor Tomlinson looks good. She's no drop dead beauty but is a fine looking woman [:)]

agree, I'm sticking to 'ok' as my judgement so far - it may improve

Was just about to start watching the first episode and then those naughty people at SI moved the official release of Football Manger 2020 to today instead of tomorrow... What can you do?

Best wishes,
Steve