Utopia (Channel 4) last night

Discussion in 'TV & Media' started by Bob The Skutter, Jan 16, 2013.

  1. Bob The Skutter

    Bob The Skutter Complete Arse Cleft In Memoriam

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    Not quite sure where to put this, Is it Sci-fi/Fantasy or what? I'll go with here.

    Did anybody watch it? I watched the first episode earlier and I will probably watch next week's episode, I'm trying to get my head around it. I can't say I thought it was great but it seems to have a lot to reveal along the way that may improve my opinion of it later.

    For anyone who didn't see it here's the synopsis of it.

    Link
     
  2. ITL

    ITL Vice Admiral Admiral

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    First I've heard of it - I might give it a look.
     
  3. Guy Gardener

    Guy Gardener Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I'm still making up my mind.

    I think it might be awful, but I'm not completely sure.

    The last 5 seconds caught my attention but the first 50 minutes was a mess.

    It's possible that one in front of or behind the camera really knew what their motivations were.
     
  4. chardman

    chardman Vice Admiral In Memoriam

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    Intriguing. Did a great job building a real strong sense of mystery. Just hope the story actually goes someplace. Will keep watching for now.
     
  5. trekkiedane

    trekkiedane Admiral Admiral

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    Unnerving, intriguing, hilarious and with enough suspense to keep me watching (now after three episodes).

    Having seen only one episode I even made an avatar for the current contest right here in TV&M!
    (Love the visuals; the way the yellow (and green and blue(skies) is used, it transfers the story to some 'magic' parallel universe).

    It might not be for the big 'general audience', but didn't they say the same of Twin Peaks and The X-Files???
     
  6. Starkers

    Starkers Admiral Admiral

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    I tivo'd this so a bit late to the party, seen the first four episodes now. I have to say I find it interesting, but can't imagine it's something I'd want to go back to. I watch a lot of stuff that has violence in it, but Utopia has a nasty streak in it that puts me off (luckily this is counter-weighted by enough good stuff to keep me watching) In particular there is an awful lot of violence towards children, now I don't have a major issue with that because horrible things happen to adults and children all the time, but in the case of Utopia the violence almost seems to be one of its USPs and it almost seems to be going out of its way to be shocking which is often counter productive. I mean in the last one when
    Eve shot the man I'm sure it was supposed to be shocking, but in the context of the show I just found it a bit meh.

    I'm probably implying I hate it, which isn't the case at all :)
     
  7. Bob The Skutter

    Bob The Skutter Complete Arse Cleft In Memoriam

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    I've not watched this or last weeks yet but I'm in agreement with you on the whole thing. It's got enough about it to keep me watching but there are aspects that put me off. Need to catch up. Will probably watch tomorrow.
     
  8. Starkers

    Starkers Admiral Admiral

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    Did anyone watch to the end?
     
  9. stoneroses

    stoneroses Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Loved it can't wait for series 2! Not for the faint hearted and I did see the ending coming a mile off but I found it gripping. Well worth sticking with.
     
  10. trekkiedane

    trekkiedane Admiral Admiral

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    Haven't read this thread since the third ep (that's how scared of spoilers I am :rommie: ) Also: I watched the first three parts in one go... and doing so with the last half of the series right now... will be back later :)

    "No... well, I do like cocaine and prostitiutes - but they didn't have to tell anyone..."
    :guffaw::guffaw:
     
  11. Guy Gardener

    Guy Gardener Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I liked it, but it's difficult to like.
     
  12. Starkers

    Starkers Admiral Admiral

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    I think that's a spot on assessment. I'm quite surprised how much it grew on me given the first few episodes were a hard watch...

    Is there really anywhere to take a second series though I wonder?
     
  13. Guy Gardener

    Guy Gardener Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I'd have them skip ahead a couple years, and be all about the early Children of Men days.

    Sure, they stopped Janus this time, but it's an onoing concern surely.
     
  14. ITL

    ITL Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Finally started watching it. Fifteen minutes into ep.1 and I'm bored shitless. Worth persevering?
     
  15. Guy Gardener

    Guy Gardener Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    The last 5 seconds of the first episode.

    But yes I agree the first 50 minutes are awful.
     
  16. ITL

    ITL Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Just finished watching them all. It did get a bit better, but ultimately it was just a bog standard conspiracy thriller that tried too hard to be arty.
     
  17. Starkers

    Starkers Admiral Admiral

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    Probably, although I found it grew on me a lot. I agree the first episode (maybe the first couple) were not great. You have to admit the end of episode one is quite a surprise. I didn't mind that it was arty, if I had to cite one problem with it I'd say it tried too hard to be shocking, though not in a torchwood/juvenile kind of way, almost the opposite and a few times in the opening episodes I felt quite uncomfortable.

    But either it relaxed a bit or else I acclimatised because this bothered me less as it went on. I liked the fact that the central conspiracy was something that at least made you pause and think, "are they right?" and I liked Wilson's response.
     
  18. HappyDayRiot

    HappyDayRiot Commodore Commodore

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    A fine show and I would suggest it has been left perfectly well. There's no need for another series, as I don't believe there are enough threads left to pick up on.
     
  19. Bob The Skutter

    Bob The Skutter Complete Arse Cleft In Memoriam

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  20. Starkers

    Starkers Admiral Admiral

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    Interesting, I wonder where they'll go with that?