Utopia (Channel 4) last night

[Bob The Skutter]

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.

When five strangers from an online comic book forum agree to meet after gaining possession of the original manuscript for the cult graphic novel 'The Utopia Experiments', they find themselves pursued by a shadowy organisation known as The Network who are in pursuit of the manuscript - and they are prepared to kill to track it down.
While three of the forum members - Ian, Becky and Wilson meet in the pub, another is confronted and killed by two Network henchmen. The only witness to the murder is 11-year-old Grant - the fifth forum member - and when he flees with the manuscript, the henchmen give chase.
Ian and Becky soon find they've been set-up for crimes they haven't committed, while Wilson's hacking skills attract the attention of Network henchmen Arby and Lee. As the trio's lives begin to fracture, the world of civil servant Michael Dugdale is also torn apart as he is blackmailed by The Network.
Just as things are looking increasingly desperate for Ian, Becky and Wilson, they come face to face with an enigmatic stranger who claims to offer them a way out...

Link

[ITL]

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

[Guy Gardener]

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.

[chardman]

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

[trekkiedane]

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???

[Starkers]

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

[Bob The Skutter]

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.

[Starkers]

Did anyone watch to the end?

[stoneroses]

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.

[trekkiedane]

Haven't read this thread since the third ep (that's how scared of spoilers I am ) 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..."

[Guy Gardener]

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

[Starkers]

Guy Gardener wrote:

---

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

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?

[Guy Gardener]

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.

[ITL]

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

[Guy Gardener]

The last 5 seconds of the first episode.

But yes I agree the first 50 minutes are awful.