TV Series - Reviews and Recommendations......

Presume Tracy has a first appearance in ep 4, as don't think I have seen her yet.......

It is very violent, can't deny that, and some of it does seem a bit gratuitous, though I don't have any issue with how it is depicted in this program.

The bit I am enjoying the most, are the little bits of humour sprinkled about, which to my eye are very well written and delivered.

Good to see the Knightley in something a bit different from her normal fare.

Oh that character, wow, agreed, I had zero idea that was who it was!

My partners tolerance for such things is VERY low, she struggled with the flashback scene to matey Sam and his partner's flat when the attackers came in and he has to deal with them, the bit outside when Daisy/Helen rocked up with a handgun, also the bit in the first episode I think, when Sam blew the fake police woman away with a shotgun, and decorated Daisy with parts of her, oh and she hated the video on the phone of the bit with the knife.

Not watched either of the two you mentioned I have to admit.

Has anyone watched the diplomat - any good?

Always rated Rufus Sewell.

Poor Keira :-(

I've always liked her work, and in this I personally think she depicts the role very well.

This might help win you over :-)

She reminds me a lot, of a younger Keeley Hawes - both visually and audibly.

Whishaw is a ridiculously talented actor, I'd put him in the same kind of bracket as Tom Hollander.

Blinded by her looks Daniel. She’s convincing as a Tory MP’s wife but not as a cold blooded killer spy. Maybe if I make it to episode 2 Keira’s performance will improve. 🤷‍♂️

Maybe a tiny bit, I am admittedly a long term fan - she does have wonderful bone structure, although I will admit that she does seem a little on the slim side for this series, though perhaps that is just her natural body type, as far as I am aware she has always been of that build for acting roles.

From reading various reviews, it seems as if a LOT of people gave up after episode 1, so I'd definitely advise watching at least the next two episodes, as by then you would hopefully be hooked, I know I am.

Clearly a high percentage have seen it through though, which is why presume series 2 has been commissioned.

The Madness on Netflix is worth a watch.

The Lucan 3 episode thing on iplayer is thought provoking.

Fair play, I’m into it now after a few episodes, Keira doing a decent job, so I take it back. Difficult to strike a balance between believability and entertainment but black doves does it well.

Gotta say E1 & E2 of Black Doves were a league above The Madness.

I was wrong on this. IMDB says she was in 4 episodes but I can only recall seeing her character in the final episode. It wasn’t the gangster I thought.

Finished it tonight. Enjoyed it once I’d realised it wasn’t entirely serious and therefore to overlook gaping plot holes.

The final Jackal was today too so need to find time to watch that, maybe when I get home from my work’s do tomorrow.

Allowing themselves room for a second series

Pachinko 

Apple tv

This Korean/Japanese drama follows the struggles of a Korean family under Japanese rule, from early life through to present day. Set in multiple timelines. Superb production.

Black Bird.

Apple tv

A short series crime/prison drama. I thought the plot seamed a bit far fetched, but it’s based on a real life case about an inmate sent to a high security prison to extract a confession from a serial killer (Larry Hall), in return for a shorter sentence. Top acting, especially the portrayal of the serial killer.

Poor finale to a middling series. Redmayne nailed the foppish character with a funny voice but he’s playing himself again so not too much of a stretch.

I will say the ending was unexpected unless what I thought happened hadn’t actually happened, although it looks like it has.

I think there’s different ways they can go. If something is deliberately over the top that’s fine. It’s the series that are seemingly being serious where I find plot holes etc. annoying. For the first half of episode 1 of Black Doves I thought it was going to be one of those, it was only really when Wishaw and the Williams character came in that it was obvious it was going to the former.

Line Of Duty, as an example, started off as being a fairly straight police corruption drama before getting more and more ridiculous to drag it out for a few more series (and became less entertaining as a result IMHO).

Agree, the last episode was kind of disjointed and in some ways felt like an add-on after what happened in the previous episode. Series was still worth watching overall though.