We're watching 1899 on Netflix. Weird, gothic and compelling.
What Was the Last Television Episode You Watched?
- Thread starter J-Sun
- Start date
I'm never quite sure where to post about television series that I am watching via streaming. Is this the place? or is the streaming thread (DVD, CABLE TV, STREAMING 2023). So today I'll post in both.
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I have just finished watching one of the best detective series I've ever watched, Cardinal. It is only 24 episodes long and it was shown (I believe) on Canadian CBC television.
I loved it, but before I l give it rave reviews, I have to say that this is not for the faint of heart. In most of the episodes there is at least one scene with utterly gruesome violence. More than once I had to look away because I just didn't want to see what I knew was coming next. And if that is a no go for you, I certainly understand, and wouldn't recommend it.
Now, there were things about this series that is absolutely top drawer.
First, the acting was nothing short of superb. I thought the lead characters, l thought that Billy Campbell as Det. John Cardinal was really fine. His portrayal of a complex man with complex motivations shown through a dedication to his job and his family was spot on. But he was totally aced by his co-star Karine Vanasse, as his partner Lise Delorme. I don't believe I've ever seen someone convey so much character with such spare dialogue. She can pack more into a "Hm." than anyone I've ever known.
Second, the crimes were sensational, but they were also utterly believable. The perpetrators of the crime were given believable and not far fetched motivations. I never found myself rooting for them, but neither did I find them at all unbelievable. In each case that was presented, the criminals were neither stupid, nor were they some sort of utter genius. It was easy to believe that they were very hard to catch and to believe that they were caught when they were.
Third, The family lives of Cardinal and Delorme were believable. They each struggle with their spouse/lover in a way that seems totally in character with who they are and the demands of their job. Each of them struggles to be present, faithful, and honest in their relationships, and usually succeed. I always had the feeling that they each harbored some feelings for the other, but that would not be unexpected in people who were doing such physically and emotionally draining work. And to my great pleasure it was never more than a minor subplot of the stories.
Fourth, Something has to be said about the setting. This series is set in northern Ontario in a fictional city. The wilderness and the weather (all the seasons) are just breathtaking. I am forced to call them characters in the drama because they are so present and so much part of the ethos of every story. When this is combined with the utterly haunting and beautiful background music they provide a not insignificant entry into the story and the emotions behind it.
I could go on. But this is already long enough.
Avoid --- Not Recommended --- Flawed --- Okay --- Good --- Recommended --- Shouldn’t be Missed
--------------------
I have just finished watching one of the best detective series I've ever watched, Cardinal. It is only 24 episodes long and it was shown (I believe) on Canadian CBC television.
I loved it, but before I l give it rave reviews, I have to say that this is not for the faint of heart. In most of the episodes there is at least one scene with utterly gruesome violence. More than once I had to look away because I just didn't want to see what I knew was coming next. And if that is a no go for you, I certainly understand, and wouldn't recommend it.
Now, there were things about this series that is absolutely top drawer.
First, the acting was nothing short of superb. I thought the lead characters, l thought that Billy Campbell as Det. John Cardinal was really fine. His portrayal of a complex man with complex motivations shown through a dedication to his job and his family was spot on. But he was totally aced by his co-star Karine Vanasse, as his partner Lise Delorme. I don't believe I've ever seen someone convey so much character with such spare dialogue. She can pack more into a "Hm." than anyone I've ever known.
Second, the crimes were sensational, but they were also utterly believable. The perpetrators of the crime were given believable and not far fetched motivations. I never found myself rooting for them, but neither did I find them at all unbelievable. In each case that was presented, the criminals were neither stupid, nor were they some sort of utter genius. It was easy to believe that they were very hard to catch and to believe that they were caught when they were.
Third, The family lives of Cardinal and Delorme were believable. They each struggle with their spouse/lover in a way that seems totally in character with who they are and the demands of their job. Each of them struggles to be present, faithful, and honest in their relationships, and usually succeed. I always had the feeling that they each harbored some feelings for the other, but that would not be unexpected in people who were doing such physically and emotionally draining work. And to my great pleasure it was never more than a minor subplot of the stories.
Fourth, Something has to be said about the setting. This series is set in northern Ontario in a fictional city. The wilderness and the weather (all the seasons) are just breathtaking. I am forced to call them characters in the drama because they are so present and so much part of the ethos of every story. When this is combined with the utterly haunting and beautiful background music they provide a not insignificant entry into the story and the emotions behind it.
I could go on. But this is already long enough.
Avoid --- Not Recommended --- Flawed --- Okay --- Good --- Recommended --- Shouldn’t be Missed
alexvss
Me doesn't knows no grammar.
World War II: From the Frontlines (2023). An original Netflix documentary series, showing both real, colorized historical footage and dramatized scenes.
It is narrated by John Boyega. He’s not the first guy I’d think of to narrate my documentary (nor is he the second or third), but I’m liking his narration a lot.
The documentary is too summarized, even more than History Channel’s World Wars, which leaves only three episodes for WW2. But the focus isn’t that. The focus is the voices of the people that were in that war. We get to hear interviews with many people that really were there, and that brings a more personal approach to it.
It is narrated by John Boyega. He’s not the first guy I’d think of to narrate my documentary (nor is he the second or third), but I’m liking his narration a lot.
The documentary is too summarized, even more than History Channel’s World Wars, which leaves only three episodes for WW2. But the focus isn’t that. The focus is the voices of the people that were in that war. We get to hear interviews with many people that really were there, and that brings a more personal approach to it.
I've started re-watching Torchwood. It stands up surprisingly well and is unbelievably now 17-years-old.
Mind, I was very critical of it back then, and rightly so, there are some unlikely things and difficult to believe plots, but it really captures the 'noughties'.
Mind, I was very critical of it back then, and rightly so, there are some unlikely things and difficult to believe plots, but it really captures the 'noughties'.
Up to episode 3 of The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix). For some reason this didn't interest me when it came out. Maybe I thought "Eh, modernised retelling of classic tale, bound to be crap". After catching a positive review recently, I decided to give it a go. Wow, it is really good. Only very loosely based on the original, but cleverly drawing in many of Poe's other tales into the mix, as well as modern concerns about opioids and corporate wrongdoing. Compelling.
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In preparation for this season's offering, I rewatched Count Magnus. A somewhat loose translation, but a good adaptation of one of M R James' weaker offerings.
Quite why we haven't had an adaptation of ' An Episode of Cathedral History' I do not know, but this will suffice for now.
Quite why we haven't had an adaptation of ' An Episode of Cathedral History' I do not know, but this will suffice for now.
MANNIX - Sunburst
Joe stops at a diner where he is held hostage along with the owner and wife by a couple of hoods led by Barry Atwater. After he escapes following the murder of another hostage, and is found by sheriff Kenneth Tobey, the diner couple claim there was no hostage taking or murder.
One bit of goofy plot action here--Joe is visited by a cop who he realizes is a fake. The guy asks him how he knows he is a fraud--and is told that his voice gave him away--suggesting that the guy was someone working with Atwater. But we never saw him before. How did Mannix know he was an accomplice? It was as if they inserted him because they needed an extra goon.
CANNON - The Seventh Corpse
Frank is called by an eccentric newspaper owner (Barry Nelson) who is convinced a series of murders of runaway girls is being perpetrated by local bigwig Jim Davis. One of the victims is Shelley Duvall--and we see her hitch a ride with Nelson for those who would be reminded of the Overlook Hotel. The PI doesn't trust the town's lab guy, so he flies in his own lab specialist - Eldon Quick (who we had seen in the role in a previous episode). If Thom Bray was the science nerd of the 80s then Quick might be a contender for that distinction in the 70s. After Frank is almost suffocated in a sealed room provided by Davis, he needs a new accommodation from his host and suspect, and adds with typical Conrad vocal nuance:
"My friend would like a room too. Preferably one with air in it."
Joe stops at a diner where he is held hostage along with the owner and wife by a couple of hoods led by Barry Atwater. After he escapes following the murder of another hostage, and is found by sheriff Kenneth Tobey, the diner couple claim there was no hostage taking or murder.
One bit of goofy plot action here--Joe is visited by a cop who he realizes is a fake. The guy asks him how he knows he is a fraud--and is told that his voice gave him away--suggesting that the guy was someone working with Atwater. But we never saw him before. How did Mannix know he was an accomplice? It was as if they inserted him because they needed an extra goon.
CANNON - The Seventh Corpse
Frank is called by an eccentric newspaper owner (Barry Nelson) who is convinced a series of murders of runaway girls is being perpetrated by local bigwig Jim Davis. One of the victims is Shelley Duvall--and we see her hitch a ride with Nelson for those who would be reminded of the Overlook Hotel. The PI doesn't trust the town's lab guy, so he flies in his own lab specialist - Eldon Quick (who we had seen in the role in a previous episode). If Thom Bray was the science nerd of the 80s then Quick might be a contender for that distinction in the 70s. After Frank is almost suffocated in a sealed room provided by Davis, he needs a new accommodation from his host and suspect, and adds with typical Conrad vocal nuance:
"My friend would like a room too. Preferably one with air in it."
COLUMBO - Double Exposure -- Robert Culp is a "motivation research specialist" using subliminal cues to commit a murder. He is too cool for Columbo to easily nab him. Arlene Martel is listed in the credits but isn't in the episode. Aired 50 years ago today.
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The first episode of Brooklyn Nine Nine, which didn't do much for me. The characters felt very stale (wiseguy hero, dopey sidekick, tough female cop etc). It all felt like a US sitcom from a long time ago.
hitmouse
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Its worth persevering.
We're watching Detectorists. A delight. Quintessentially English.
hitmouse
Well-Known Member
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Yes possibly it is. Properly bonkers.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE - The Phoenix - A stolen experimental metal is smuggled into the Iron Curtain by hiding it in a modern art installation. While Rollin and Cinnamon pretend to be would-be assassins and Jim pretends to be a Soviet cop (seems he always has that part), Barney and Willy prepare a trap for their mark. When he is looking at the agent dossier, he gives a funny look to one guy who he rejects as if he is thinking "yuck-not this guy." The casual way he leaves the MIF dossier in his living room makes me assume he has really good security--never has to worry about someone coming in.
KOJAK - Cop in a Cage - Theo's niece is getting married but a vengeful ex-con--is there any other kind in cop shows--- (John P Ryan) plans to blow up the wedding party.
BARETTA - The Cappelli Oath - Tony kills a young criminal and his brother is sworn to kill him. Fred ends up in a shoebox as a warning. Funny thing with this is that a mobster arrives for the showdown in a station wagon. I was surprised by that--not a sedan, not a limo, a standard 70s station wagon with the fake wood side paneling.
KOJAK - Cop in a Cage - Theo's niece is getting married but a vengeful ex-con--is there any other kind in cop shows--- (John P Ryan) plans to blow up the wedding party.
BARETTA - The Cappelli Oath - Tony kills a young criminal and his brother is sworn to kill him. Fred ends up in a shoebox as a warning. Funny thing with this is that a mobster arrives for the showdown in a station wagon. I was surprised by that--not a sedan, not a limo, a standard 70s station wagon with the fake wood side paneling.
THE PERSUADERS - Powerswitch - Series like this (and those @KGeo777 has been watching) were once a staple of Friday and Saturday night TV. I used to watch this as a kid. It's hard to believe it is over 50-years-old, and then not so hard when you see the attitudes to women depicted. Co-produced by Terry Nation. Written by John Kruse (The Avengers, The Saint).
Brett and Danny discover that the millionaire fanancier Lanny Koestler is a fake. He is an actor, Morgan Alcott, employed by Koestler's wife, to impersonate him until she can transfer his assets into her own accounts. Danny has met him before yet doesn't spot this immediately. A Go-Go dancer, Julie Blake, with whom Koestler once had an affair, does spot it, and is murdered for her trouble. Our amateur sleuths find it hard to believe that she drowned despite being a 500m Swimming Champion.
Tony Curtis and Roger Moore do their thing as the mismatched playboys, new money, Danny Wilde, and old money, Lord Brett Sinclair. They have some really badly staged fights with villains, almost drive their car with tampered brakes over a cliff, and even try dad-dancing in a nightclub at the end. The story is mostly plausible though, I suppose, when compared to some of the plots in TV detective series today.
Glamour is added, as they are aided by Annette Andre, as the Go-Go dancer Pekoe Rayne, who is better known as Hopkirk's wife in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) but who also appeared in The Saint with Roger Moore. The mansion's butler/wife's new boyfriend/criminal mastermind is played by Terence Alexander, who I can't get past seeing as anything other than the father-in-law in Bergerac. But the stand out from this for me, was seeing Lionel Blair as Quinn Travis, a Go-Go dance choreographer, along with the uncredited Lionel Blair Dancers. It was almost as good as seeing Jeff Goldblum appear as a film director in Starsky and Hutch.
Brett and Danny discover that the millionaire fanancier Lanny Koestler is a fake. He is an actor, Morgan Alcott, employed by Koestler's wife, to impersonate him until she can transfer his assets into her own accounts. Danny has met him before yet doesn't spot this immediately. A Go-Go dancer, Julie Blake, with whom Koestler once had an affair, does spot it, and is murdered for her trouble. Our amateur sleuths find it hard to believe that she drowned despite being a 500m Swimming Champion.
Tony Curtis and Roger Moore do their thing as the mismatched playboys, new money, Danny Wilde, and old money, Lord Brett Sinclair. They have some really badly staged fights with villains, almost drive their car with tampered brakes over a cliff, and even try dad-dancing in a nightclub at the end. The story is mostly plausible though, I suppose, when compared to some of the plots in TV detective series today.
Glamour is added, as they are aided by Annette Andre, as the Go-Go dancer Pekoe Rayne, who is better known as Hopkirk's wife in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) but who also appeared in The Saint with Roger Moore. The mansion's butler/wife's new boyfriend/criminal mastermind is played by Terence Alexander, who I can't get past seeing as anything other than the father-in-law in Bergerac. But the stand out from this for me, was seeing Lionel Blair as Quinn Travis, a Go-Go dance choreographer, along with the uncredited Lionel Blair Dancers. It was almost as good as seeing Jeff Goldblum appear as a film director in Starsky and Hutch.
MANNIX- To Cage a Seagull --- Joe's golf game is ruined when his "pigeon" dies in a helicopter crash. Turns out, the pilot saw a Hitler wannabe entering the country illegally by plane and had to die. Later Mannix is captured and learns that the rightwing group plans to activate sleeper cells to kill some cops to blame on the leftwing, thus ushering in a Fourth Reich led by a blonde guy who has a very bored way of speaking. What is it with these secret militia groups leaving their arsenal exposed with c-4 and detonators conveniently left on a table so Mannix can set a charge in a few seconds and blow up the compound?
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Stigma
An interesting BBC 'ghost story for Christmas' from 1978, but looks and feel like something older than this. It looks like it was filmed in and around Avebury (which is reason enough to watch it) and is (a nit) like a more adult version of 'Children of the Stones'. Like all good spooky stories, it ends leaving the viewer with more questions than answers, and is a diverting 30 minutes if anyone's time.
An interesting BBC 'ghost story for Christmas' from 1978, but looks and feel like something older than this. It looks like it was filmed in and around Avebury (which is reason enough to watch it) and is (a nit) like a more adult version of 'Children of the Stones'. Like all good spooky stories, it ends leaving the viewer with more questions than answers, and is a diverting 30 minutes if anyone's time.
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