BBC Original British Drama

[Angel4576]

See I didn't think they did signpost it enough

Spoiler: Last Episode

There were a few things - the "No one's what they seem" line, the following him around, the glances, the questions

We thought that it was so obvious that it might have been a double bluff.

Like I said, minor gripe though.

 

[Angel4576]

See I didn't think they did signpost it enough,

Spoiler: spoiler

although I guess she was a bit too good to be true.I like that he had a bent copper as a partner who turned out to be a good guy in the end, then a good guy partner who turned bad in the end

Oh absolutely. The line was very shadowy indeed especially with Joseph out of place on one side and a whole division out of place on the other. Rafe Spall was utterly brilliant. Hugo Blick gave him some of the best lines I've heard in a long time in that last episode.

Review

The moral we’re left with at the end of the programme - such as it is - is that we don’t live in a world of black and white where things are either good or evil. We all teeter along the line between the two as best we can and only hope we can maintain our balance. Acts of virtue can be punished as easily as bad deeds can be rewarded; love is only as important as loyalty; and neither - indeed nothing - matters as much as being in control.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

^That comment about about Gatehouse is even more amusing given Gatehouse's comment that "People don't become villains to stroke a white cat."

Spoiler: spoiler for the last episode

Pensions? It was all about pensions? How utterly brilliant, and utterly British and, for me at least, it completely worked. I was majorly depressed at the end though. I guess I knew both Joseph and Gabriel were tragic characters doomed to die, but I had hoped Bede at least would escape his fate. Interesting 'counterpoint' between the two men. One wouldn't walk away and one of them wasn't allowed to walk away--who knew Jay was a criminal mastermind! Have to say I see Gatehouse struggling to keep him in check.

Rhea was simply brilliant throughout, but for me the acting props go to Eccleston who's entire portrayal was quiet, subtle and mesmerising. Interesting that probably the most noble character in the show was a villain.

I knew Honey was going to shoot Gabriel from the moment we saw her target shooting. At least she didn't look happy about it all. And a nice little scene with Patterson and Laura at the end (could have done without the silly salute and all) and the point that she isn't happy but she won't turn down Gabriel's pension/insurance money was very telling.

The show has flaws, blick left too many answers to the last episode, and so we got maybe a bit too much exposition (especially from Commander Penny on the boat, no kettle takes that long to boil).

It'd be nice to see more of Gatehouse, but its hard to see where you could ever go with a sequel (unless it focused on customs bloke) I will definitely keep my eye out for what Hugo Blick does next (and look for what he's done previously!)

I agree with all of this, though I didn't see that final twist coming at all. Then again, I relied on the Guardian's excellent liveblog to keep up with a lot of it some weeks!

I demand a Gatehouse spin-off. Rea was simply fantastic, though I agree Eccleston made a late grab for best actor in this. I was sad to see him give up like that. Didn't really care what happened to Gabriel

Perhaps a sequel set twenty years later where Gabriel's son goes all Gatehouse on Gatehouse and co. I'd watch!

 

[Captain Shaw]

Are the TV crews running out of disuse factory's I have just seen the same factory in shadow line and in Luther.

 

[lurok]

Just caught finale. At times felt series very arch and almost gave up but glad persisted. Somewhere I imagine there's a media studies student feverishly writing essay on white/black, light/dark, surface/depth and religious metaphors. As for final shooting, ballistics anyone? But I'll give that a pass.

Now on to fun that is Luther and looking forward to more of Alice...(I can happily skip over serial killer/kook-of-the-week)

 

[Bob The Skutter]

New Original British Drama trailer for the Summer/Autumn season

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlg9shqbOvI&feature=player_embedded[/yt]

 

[Deckerd]

Not quite the level of the beginning of the summer trail but not bad either. Spooks should be taken out back and put out of its misery but the rest is almost exciting!

 

[HappyDayRiot]

I'll be watching Page Eight.

 

[Starkers]

Yeah Page 8 looks interesting, and I'll probably watch the Waking the Dead spin-off.

I still adore Spooks so can't wait for that (am I right in thinking this will be the last series?) and of course it goes without saying that I'll be watching Merlin and Who!

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I think this is the last series of Spooks, yeah, but I think that has been said before, too. I'll probably check most out, probably not Spooks though, as I check that out every year and give up a few episodes in anyway.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Anyone watching The Hour? I've just watched the first episode and I have to say I've found it very interesting. I guess the obvious comparison is Mad Men but more a conspiracy thriller than anything Mad Men.

 

[Captain Shaw]

Anyone watching The Hour? I've just watched the first episode and I have to say I've found it very interesting. I guess the obvious comparison is Mad Men but more a conspiracy thriller than anything Mad Men.

I'm also enjoying it, will be interesting to see whose on what side at the end.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Just watched the second one this morning. I'm really enjoying it. The Beeb have done some seriously good drama this year.

 

[Captain Shaw]

Just watched the second one this morning. I'm really enjoying it. The Beeb have done some seriously good drama this year.

I'm hoping they will be able to show room at the top soon.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

I like The Hour, but to be honest it's solely down to Burn Gorman playing some kind of proto-Gatehouse. Some of it is just... I don't know. It could be better. It doesn't help I've fallen asleep during both episodes and missed ten minutes in the middle, though!

 

[Starkers]

Sounds like the Hour is better than it looked, might have to catch up!

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Well The Hour is finished. I thought it was a fantastic show. Well worth checking out while it's still on iPlayer for anyone who missed it.

 

[Starkers]

How many episodes was it?

Anyone know when the spy drama with Bill Nighy is starting, and the Waking the Dead spinoff?

I'll be keeping my eyes out for Spooks at least!

 

[Bob The Skutter]

^It was 6 episodes. Apparently the writer is working on series 2 now but no official word on whether it's been picked up for a second series.

Body Farm should be soon, they've put out the press pack for it already. So I wouldn't be surprised to see it first week of September or so. Not seen anything on Page Eight yet.

 

[Starkers]

It's mentioned on the front cover of Radio Times so it can't be too far away.