Favourite TV Series

What's new about it? We had the usual 9pm dilemma of what to pick last night but skipped past that one on the basis yet another true crime drama/doc about Sutcliffe surely couldn't tell us anything new. Thick cops, scared locals, underlying message saying women still aren't safe in 2023. Job done.

Just feels like whoever commissions this stuff for TV has long since run out of ideas.

 

They proved he couldn’t have done it and the real killer is still out there. Otherwise, nothing new.

 

You forgot the bit about the aliens.

 

I know where you're coming from and if you know the story there's nothing particularly new. Compared to a lot of the utter drivel that is being produced for the 9 o clock audience this one stands out due to the cast, the locations and the period filming. I stopped looking for clues that this was filmed in 2023 after about 20 minutes and am transported back to being 14 again with ease.

Yes, the failings of the police are off the chart, but it feels like a million years ago when attitudes were that poor compared to today. Watching it with my 25 year old is very eye opening for her. She keeps asking me if they're making stuff up about the way the police interact with the public for example, I keep having to tell her no.

 

I would agree, if you’re familiar with it then it presents nothing new, but it was before my time so I found it very interesting. I obviously knew who he was and what he’d done, but had no idea of the scale, especially the likelihood that he killed far more people (including men) than he was ever found guilty of. It’s also filmed in a way that focuses on the victims and their individual stories and gives virtually no airtime to Sutcliffe, which is a nice way to do it.

 

I would say the one that really didn’t need making and adds nothing new is The Reckoning. The only reason to watch it is an absolute masterclass from Steve Coogan.

 

Thoroughly enjoying Boiling Point with Stephen Graham who imo is the best English actor in the world currently

 

I get so stressed out watching that.

 

Yes throughly agree, wasn’t sure if the series would live up to the film, but if anything it’s better. That said, they must be one of the unluckiest group of people you could assemble together in a kitchen though!

 

I noticed there was a film as well. Is it the same characters?

 

Yes, the series follows on from the film and is based on it, with the series set roughly about 6 months after the end of the film. A lot of the characters have carried over, including Stephen Graham. The film is definitely worth watching, and the entire thing is filmed in one take, which adds to the tension. I think the first scene of the series was filmed in one take and is roughly 20 minutes long, to carry on from the film, but then reverts to scenes. The film will tell you why Stephen Graham’s character ended up in the situation he’s in. If you like the series you’ll definitely like the film.

 

Thanks. I've only watched one episode so might watch the film and go back to the series afterwards

 

He might be, if he didn't have that irritating scouse accent !

 

Agree with that on both counts. We ended up watching them all but yeah, realised it was mainly the same old story early on but persevered because Coogan was so invested in playing the part and frankly went out on a bit of a limb taking it in the first place.

Though I did see one of Savile's victims being quoted in one of the newspapers about how disgusting it was for the BBC to be dramatising it etc, shouldn't have aired it because he wrote asking them not to and how he wouldn't ever watch it. But in reality despite the outcry I thought it was quite sensitively produced and gave plenty of spotlight to the victims and some individual stories of abuse.

 

That is right up my wife's alley. Hopefully it makes it over the pond somehow...

 

The Detectives: Taking down an OCG (not a COG!)

Very interesting, it could be a drama series but it’s real.

 

Tasmanian set black comedy, drama Deadloch (Prime) is a real treat. While it’s a familiar enough set up of a detective odd couple, in this instance prim local lesbian matched with vulgar out of state detective, it’s refreshing and quirky in the right sort of way. The Tourist meets Twin Peaks with a bit of satire about progressive manners.

But most of all it’s well-paced, very rude and laugh out loud funny.

 

Top boy summerhouse. I've only just found this (years after everyone else saw it) but if you haven't seen it, it's excellent.

 

I got a headache watching the film! It's relentless

 

I'm really enjoying it but it's quite miserable at times

 

Yes, agreed - it really was that good.

Succession and Better Call Saul have both left me bereft after they finished and all TV seemed pointless.

Struggling to remember any others that have left me like that in the last decade.

 

I haven't seen it yet but want to. I looked for a box set but there doesn't seem to be a complete one. Where is it shown?

 

Yes the best drama on TV for decades. Such a shame it had to end (but what an excellent ending it was).
A few people have mentioned “Better call Saul”. What is it ? Thriller ? Is it the sort of series husbands and wives can both enjoy watching ?
Edit - just read the wiki summary. Crime thriller but can you watch it without having seen breaking bad ?

 

Yes, but it helps to watch BB first. It's also superb

 

Yes, watched the whole thing with the wife who also enjoyed it immensely.

I think some context is lost without watching Breaking Bad really. BB is also excellent and I can't see you regretting watching that too

 

Yes watched 3 episodes of BB and gave it up. Just didn’t get all the fuss so maybe I should miss out on BCS?

 

BCS is more of a slow burner than BB. Watched the first few then gave up. Went back to it and loved it.

Not sure it's for you if BB left you cold.

 

I was exactly the same with BB, watched 3/4 episodes and wasn’t that fussed by it. Finally went back to it a couple of years back and absolutely loved it. BCS is incredible, but a very, very slow burn at the start, I’d not recommended watching it without having watched BB because that’s what keeps you watching BCS. It pays off in the end because it really gets going and probably surpasses BB.

 

I am in the "BCS is better than BB" camp. A truly great show.

 

So good. Connor’s Wedding might be the single greatest episode of television ever.

 

I think Connor became one of my favourites towards the end, they gave him some great lines. Him saying Mogadishu was a bit ‘car bomby’ cracked me up.

It’s amazing how one of my favourite comedies ever (Peep Show) was written by the same person who wrote one of the best Dramas ever. Very different shows, but also a lot of similarities in some of the dialogue.

 

Yep. All the characters, their lines, and their glaring flaws were just superb. Conor was hilarious, as were Roman, Greg and Tom.