TV Shows I've Been Watching
Partner and I have been using fun TV to distract ourselves from the generally un-fun news. Of course, critic that I am, I have quibbles about all these shows, but the good ones are very, very good indeed.
Shows We've Finished Watching
Gentleman Jack
I LOVE this! The series is based on the true story of Anne Lister, a well-to-do member of the Yorkshire gentry in the 1820s-30s. She was also a very active and almost-sorta-kinda out lesbian, something astounding for the time. Over the course of her life, Lister kept detailed diaries with explicitly-described sexual passages written in code.
When I first read some of the diaries around 2005 or so, I was certain that they had to be a hoax -- a modern invention, because they were so totally unlike anything you'd expect to read from the 1830s. But no. . .they've been authenticated. They're an incredible read: Lister was a fascinating and complex person who felt things deeply and passionately and yet who was not always kind or likeable or admirable (though her class-based snobbery would have been more acceptable then).
Among the many things I love about the show is that it doesn't sugar-coat Lister's flaws; the character is portrayed with all her strengths and weaknesses intact. Suranne Jones, who plays Lister, is simply excellent, striding around the screen and bringing Anne to vibrant, charismatic life. The rest of the cast is equally strong, especially those playing Anne's family (look for our old HP friend Gemma Jones [Poppy Pomfrey] as Lister's sympathetic aunt). So many of the characters just look so right -- except for the fact that the modern actors have better skin and teeth than we'd have seen in the 1830s, people like Anne's father and her lawyer look as if they just stepped out of 1834.
The show was filmed at Lister's still-extant real-life estate, Shibden Hall near Halifax, which adds a wonderful layer to the whole enterprise. The production values -- costumes, settings, buildings, carriages, etc -- are exceptional.
What are my quibbles? Well, the show ends with far too many plot lines unresolved. Part of this is no doubt because the producers expected to be renewed for a third season. But part of it is clearly just sloppy storytelling: major subplots were set up and developed and then just totally dropped. Obviously real life is often unresolved, but though based on fact, this show isn't "real life" -- it's a narrative construction, and you really shouldn't hang a lot of pistols on the wall, have all the characters mention them. . .and then just leave them unshot.
It's uncertain right now whether there will be a third season, but if there isn't, I'm fine with that. Even with all the dangling plotlines, the main story feels finished to me. It's really an excellent show; I recommend it.
Annika
Nicola Walker is one of those riveting actors who I'll watch in literally anything. In this series, she plays the head of the Glasgow "Marine Homicide Unit."** So it's a police story, but with more comedy than drama. I don't mean "comedy" in the sit-com sense, but in the sense of deeply human humor. The actual murder plots are pretty thin, but the show isn't about the plot. It's about the characters and their wonderfully-written hilarious dialogue and expert delivery. It's Cop Show-Lite, but you'll still find it a very satisfying meal.
(**There aren't actually any "Marine Homicide Units" in the UK, but no matter. We get lots of fun scenes on boats.)
Shows We're in the Process of Watching
Dark Winds
"Dark Winds" is based on Tony Hillerman's detective novels from the 1970s that feature Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo (Diné) Tribal Police. In keeping with Hillerman's timeline, the series is set in 1971.
It's not a perfect show (the plot is convoluted and not always plausible, and I'm not sold on the magical stuff), but overall, I'm enjoying it, largely because of the performers. The always-watchable Zahn McClarnon makes an excellent Leaphorn, and Kiowa Gordon is also strong as the conflicted deputy Jim Chee. Deanna Allison as Joe's wife Emma is also good.
There have been complaints about the lack of authenticity in various areas, particularly in the presentation of the Diné language and in the fact that none of the major performers is actually Diné (though at least all the indigenous characters are played by Native Americans). And of course, there's the whole issue of using a Tony Hillerman story in the first place; it would be nice if we could have a story about Native Americans that was actually written by one.
Despite these issues, I'm still glad to see at least an attempt at telling stories about Native Americans using Native people. I'll hope this series is just the first of many and that the producers can get more things right next time.
Partner and I have so far seen five of the six episodes of the first season, and I just read that the series has been renewed for Season 2.
Bosch: Legacy
The Bosch stories are sort of a throwback to an older form of cop show where the cops are the good guys even when they rough people up or violate civil rights or step outside the law in their search for justice, because hey, it's a jungle out there, and citizens have to be protected from criminal desperados. But the plots and acting are strong, and the LA setting is turned into a compelling character on its own.
"Legacy" is technically a spin-off. At the end of "Bosch" season 7, Harry Bosch quits the LAPD and becomes a private investigator. "Legacy" picks up with his new life as a PI.
Hmmm. Partner and I have watched two episodes so far, and I'm not sold on this new version yet. Part of the pleasure of the original seven seasons came from the stellar cast of supporting characters, and unfortunately, "Legacy" has dumped virtually all of them (though a few apparently make cameo appearances in later episodes). Besides Bosch himself (effectively played by Titus Welliver), the new series keeps only two previous cast members -- the two I find most irritating. Madison Lintz (as Bosch's daughter Maddie) is just a dreadful actor, and the new storyline of her as a rookie LA cop. . .well, it's painful to watch, imo. There's also Mimi Rogers as a high-powered lawyer. Unlike Lintz, Rogers can act, but I find her character annoying as hell.
Still, I'll watch till the end of the season, because despite its flaws, "Bosch" is generally quality television.
Shows We've Finished Watching
Gentleman Jack
I LOVE this! The series is based on the true story of Anne Lister, a well-to-do member of the Yorkshire gentry in the 1820s-30s. She was also a very active and almost-sorta-kinda out lesbian, something astounding for the time. Over the course of her life, Lister kept detailed diaries with explicitly-described sexual passages written in code.
When I first read some of the diaries around 2005 or so, I was certain that they had to be a hoax -- a modern invention, because they were so totally unlike anything you'd expect to read from the 1830s. But no. . .they've been authenticated. They're an incredible read: Lister was a fascinating and complex person who felt things deeply and passionately and yet who was not always kind or likeable or admirable (though her class-based snobbery would have been more acceptable then).
Among the many things I love about the show is that it doesn't sugar-coat Lister's flaws; the character is portrayed with all her strengths and weaknesses intact. Suranne Jones, who plays Lister, is simply excellent, striding around the screen and bringing Anne to vibrant, charismatic life. The rest of the cast is equally strong, especially those playing Anne's family (look for our old HP friend Gemma Jones [Poppy Pomfrey] as Lister's sympathetic aunt). So many of the characters just look so right -- except for the fact that the modern actors have better skin and teeth than we'd have seen in the 1830s, people like Anne's father and her lawyer look as if they just stepped out of 1834.
The show was filmed at Lister's still-extant real-life estate, Shibden Hall near Halifax, which adds a wonderful layer to the whole enterprise. The production values -- costumes, settings, buildings, carriages, etc -- are exceptional.
What are my quibbles? Well, the show ends with far too many plot lines unresolved. Part of this is no doubt because the producers expected to be renewed for a third season. But part of it is clearly just sloppy storytelling: major subplots were set up and developed and then just totally dropped. Obviously real life is often unresolved, but though based on fact, this show isn't "real life" -- it's a narrative construction, and you really shouldn't hang a lot of pistols on the wall, have all the characters mention them. . .and then just leave them unshot.
It's uncertain right now whether there will be a third season, but if there isn't, I'm fine with that. Even with all the dangling plotlines, the main story feels finished to me. It's really an excellent show; I recommend it.
Annika
Nicola Walker is one of those riveting actors who I'll watch in literally anything. In this series, she plays the head of the Glasgow "Marine Homicide Unit."** So it's a police story, but with more comedy than drama. I don't mean "comedy" in the sit-com sense, but in the sense of deeply human humor. The actual murder plots are pretty thin, but the show isn't about the plot. It's about the characters and their wonderfully-written hilarious dialogue and expert delivery. It's Cop Show-Lite, but you'll still find it a very satisfying meal.
(**There aren't actually any "Marine Homicide Units" in the UK, but no matter. We get lots of fun scenes on boats.)
Shows We're in the Process of Watching
Dark Winds
"Dark Winds" is based on Tony Hillerman's detective novels from the 1970s that feature Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo (Diné) Tribal Police. In keeping with Hillerman's timeline, the series is set in 1971.
It's not a perfect show (the plot is convoluted and not always plausible, and I'm not sold on the magical stuff), but overall, I'm enjoying it, largely because of the performers. The always-watchable Zahn McClarnon makes an excellent Leaphorn, and Kiowa Gordon is also strong as the conflicted deputy Jim Chee. Deanna Allison as Joe's wife Emma is also good.
There have been complaints about the lack of authenticity in various areas, particularly in the presentation of the Diné language and in the fact that none of the major performers is actually Diné (though at least all the indigenous characters are played by Native Americans). And of course, there's the whole issue of using a Tony Hillerman story in the first place; it would be nice if we could have a story about Native Americans that was actually written by one.
Despite these issues, I'm still glad to see at least an attempt at telling stories about Native Americans using Native people. I'll hope this series is just the first of many and that the producers can get more things right next time.
Partner and I have so far seen five of the six episodes of the first season, and I just read that the series has been renewed for Season 2.
Bosch: Legacy
The Bosch stories are sort of a throwback to an older form of cop show where the cops are the good guys even when they rough people up or violate civil rights or step outside the law in their search for justice, because hey, it's a jungle out there, and citizens have to be protected from criminal desperados. But the plots and acting are strong, and the LA setting is turned into a compelling character on its own.
"Legacy" is technically a spin-off. At the end of "Bosch" season 7, Harry Bosch quits the LAPD and becomes a private investigator. "Legacy" picks up with his new life as a PI.
Hmmm. Partner and I have watched two episodes so far, and I'm not sold on this new version yet. Part of the pleasure of the original seven seasons came from the stellar cast of supporting characters, and unfortunately, "Legacy" has dumped virtually all of them (though a few apparently make cameo appearances in later episodes). Besides Bosch himself (effectively played by Titus Welliver), the new series keeps only two previous cast members -- the two I find most irritating. Madison Lintz (as Bosch's daughter Maddie) is just a dreadful actor, and the new storyline of her as a rookie LA cop. . .well, it's painful to watch, imo. There's also Mimi Rogers as a high-powered lawyer. Unlike Lintz, Rogers can act, but I find her character annoying as hell.
Still, I'll watch till the end of the season, because despite its flaws, "Bosch" is generally quality television.