What TV are you watching?

[Blazing Saddles]

Only watched the first episode of Small Prophets at the weekend as a family, and we liked it very much.
Nice to see Palin on screen in n acting capacity.

Two brilliant foreign series I must bring to your attention.

On C4 we have The Ring - incredibly good imho.
I was initially surprised it was 10 episodes, and couldn't figure out how they were going to make it last that long, but it was a very complex and well spun web of mysteries, intrigue and deceit.

HIGHLY recommended.

After about the 6th episode, I formulated a theory I was pretty confident about, as to who the culprit or culprits were, but I was completely wrong

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I genuinely did not see the ending coming, but I may be on my own in that respect.

Actors were top notch I thought, as were the characters, and the script.

Significantly different from your average police drama.

9/10 for me.
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Next up we have on ITVX a French drama this time, one I had seen mentioned a while back in other countries, but it would seem has only recently become available in the UK, and that is Piste Noire, or black run.

Only two of the 6 episodes in so far, but really enjoying it, beautiful scenery, and plenty of intrigue and shady goings on.

The Mayor is a well known French actor, and has been in MANY series on WP, and the pro skiers wife to be is also the Duchess from the Invisibles series which I may have mentioned further up this thread.

The main actor (Constance Labbé) is utterly brilliant in her role, self assured, feisty, and can totally look after herself.
She's also unfathomably beautiful, she just has something intangible about her, for me at any rate.
It could be a bit irritating the relationship she has with the embedded and father figure style older cop, but it's done very well I feel, and to me comes across as really natural.

8/10 for me so far.
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Gratuitous Constance pictures:
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Good to know.
I already have Piste Noir on my watch list and will add The Ring, as I know we have similar tastes in European drama.

 

[cyberknight]

And a whole lot of very short, very similar actresses.
Totally unrealistic but watchable with brain in neutral.

As a firefly fan I kinda forgive the obvious, I still waiting for season 2 😄

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Channel 4s - 3 part drama: Dirty Business.
An exposé of raw sewage dumping over the past 30 years, under the privatised companies. It centres on the policies and practices of the environmental agency. If you want a comparative scandal, think the Post Office.
At times during viewing, I was incensed.
It has an excellent cast too.
I thoroughly recommend it. (Currently 8.8 on IMDb)

 

[Dan Lotus]

Thoroughly enjoyed all of small prophets, lots of the type of smart not obvious humour in it, plenty of emotional stuff in there as well - a work of genius for me, glad to see there should be a second series.
Mackenzie Crook is a highly talented individual, not something I would have taken from his role in the Office that is fair to say.

More foreign drama (Spanish this time), you know I love it.
This is on Netflix, and is called Bank under siege:

It's only 5 episodes, and is based on a true story and set in Barcelona in 1981, with some flashbacks to the 70s.
Cars, clothes, hair and makeup to my eye look to be spot on.

One of the best things I have seen for some time - 10/10 for me.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Flicking through the channels last night, I discovered that Black Sails has just started on ITV4, no idea if it's like Star Trek Discovery and it will become ITVX streaming only after last night.

Starts a bit slow in early episodes, but gets better, we enjoyed watching this on Prime Video ~10 years ago.

 

[C R]

Thoroughly enjoyed all of small prophets, lots of the type of smart not obvious humour in it, plenty of emotional stuff in there as well - a work of genius for me, glad to see there should be a second series.
Mackenzie Crook is a highly talented individual, not something I would have taken from his role in the Office that is fair to say.

More foreign drama (Spanish this time), you know I love it.
This is on Netflix, and is called Bank under siege:
View attachment 801509
It's only 5 episodes, and is based on a true story and set in Barcelona in 1981, with some flashbacks to the 70s.
Cars, clothes, hair and makeup to my eye look to be spot on.

One of the best things I have seen for some time - 10/10 for me.

Oooh, I remember seeing the end of the siege live on TV at the time. Will have to have a look.

 

[yello]

Given up on Shrinking. It's become far too slapstick schmultz for me, too many goofy faces being pulled. I don't mind 2D cartoon characters but this has become layered on. I don't remember season 1 being quite so painful to watch. It's a shame because Harrison Ford remains excellent, it's the show that's gone to mush around him.

 

[Pblakeney]

Given up on Shrinking. It's become far too slapstick schmultz for me, too many goofy faces being pulled. I don't mind 2D cartoon characters but this has become layered on. I don't remember season 1 being quite so painful to watch. It's a shame because Harrison Ford remains excellent, it's the show that's gone to mush around him.

I concur. I have lost interest and am watching it purely for completion. Hope there is not another series and will give it a miss if there is one. Seems to be a trend of mine with ATV+ series as I am going through the same with Silo. Poor value, and I only use it when I get freebies.

 

[C R]

Oooh, I remember seeing the end of the siege live on TV at the time. Will have to have a look.

@Dan Lotus Not all that spectacular.

Spoiler

The robbery lasted for a long time, and a nothing like that had ever happened before, or since afaict, that's why the TV cameras were there. I can't remember the exact details, but at some point hostages just started running out of the front door, with robbers mixed in. This made it very difficult for the police to identify, arrest and prosecute those involved.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Yup, gave up on Shrinking series 2 too; it stopped being clever and started to become a soap.

Sadly there's a series 3 and Michael J Fox is in it. Such a badly wasted cast.

 

[biggs682]

Well I am confused after tonight's silent witness episode

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

X-Files pilot episode on Ch5, ~15mins in. Loved this series in the early seasons, decades ago and long before home internet.

 

[wakemalcolm]

Well I am confused after tonight's silent witness episode

I'm just surprised anyone's watching after last week's storyline truly jumping the shark.

 

[Pblakeney]

The Continental on Prime. I wouldn't describe it as a series though. Imo it is a trilogy of films at 80-90 minutes long. Perfect for the genre.
If you like John Wick then you will know what to expect. High style over substance and unrealistic action. Great fun and I really enjoyed the subtle nods to other series and films.

 

[Drago]

Marshals.

Watched episode 1 today. In some ways unsatisfying, but they only have 48 minutes to set the premise, and theyre doubtless assuming viewers will be familiar with the Yellowstone backstory, so I can forgive them for that a little.

Not bad. Will watch next week and report back.