The Daily Teaser — 12-1-2016

I have to confess, right at the moment?

I’m mildly distracted.

Mostly where I’ve got last night’s episode of Gotham: series 2 started on Channel 5.

I’ve got it on in the background, as I write.

Yes, I know it’s airing at a later date the in the US: but Channel Five have told us it will be aired in one complete go.

Something I’m happy to hear.

I’m also watching several of the inmates break out of Arkham.   Including Jim Gordon’s ex, Barbara.

It’s looking like one HELL of a hairy opening … !

~≈Ê≈~

Humans — Episode 8: 2-8-2015

Ooooh … 

So that’s what the Humans finale looked like … 

I don’t know if you’ve been following me for a while.

But if you have … ?

You’ll realise I write the Daily Teasers.

You know I like Dr Who.

And you’ll probably have realised I like the odd movie or two.

You’ll ALSO realise something else.

That, over the past few weeks?   I’ve been watching the Channel 4 science fiction series, Humans.

Hmmm … 

Humans … … … … 

~≈Ê≈~

Humans — Episode 7: 26-7-2015

26th July, 2015.

You know, right now … ?

Right now, it’s very late: after all, I’ve barely finished work.

But finished I have: and … ?

And I’ve managed to just catch tonight’s seventh episode of Channel 4 series, Humans.

Coming away, having been very impressed.

~≈†≈~

Humans — Episode 5: 12-7-2015

12th July, 2015.

Ye GODS … but I think I’ve a minor case of eyestrain, at the moment.

Part of that … ?

Is simply down to the fact I am dog tired.

After all, last night was — for various reasons — pretty rough.

And left me — back in at 12, today, after an early start — feeling woozy for most of the shift.

I’m not complaining TOO much.

Unlike — right now — my eyes.

Which are bitching.

~≈Á≈~

Humans — Episode 4: 5-7-2015

5th July, 2015.

Oh, now, wait, wait, wait … SLOW DOWN … !

No, hold, on … 

Paul … ?

Start making sense to an audience, will you … ?

Sorry, Sorry, I’m … 

Well, tired: and very aware I smell.

Of a mix of fried chicken, and the soap I used to have a shower when I got home, today.

Some sort of lime scented thing.

So I’m very aware I’m … going to appeal to people with very odd tastes.

Which is possibly the cue for some very smart remarks.

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I’ve just been watching the fourth episode of the Channel 4 series, Humans.   And have to confess to finding it — in line with the previous episodes — to be a riveting piece of drama.

~≈Ù≈~

Humans — Episode 3: 28-6-2015

28th June, 2015.

You know, it’s really a quiet Sunday night.

Really.

Quite a perfect one, actually: especially when you consider I’ve spent some of it with my family: including my four year-old nephew, Jude.

Who can ask a zinger or two of a funny question, some times.

Some other time, maybe … !

At ANY rate … it’s a quiet Sunday night: when I’m not working.   One where I’d devote a lot of time to some socialising — possibly — and catching either a movie.

Or, in tonight’s case, the third episode of a TV series.

In this particular case, the third episode of Channel 4’s new science fiction drama, Humans.

It’s seriously good stuff … 

~≈Ê≈~

Humans — Episode 2: 21-6-2015

21st June, 2015.

You know, I really do like to catch a film, every now and again.

Really, I do.

But, with-in the past few months?

Well, within the past few months, I’ve started work.   And, while I’ve had the money to start renting movies more frequently?   And possibly catch a train to Romford’s cinema district to catch some?

I’ve had slightly less time to do so.

Certainly, less than I’d like.

Saying that … ?   When I have rented something, I’ve always tried to made a point, even now, of trying to tell you about what I’ve seen.

You’ve possibly noticed, haven’t you … ?

At ANY rate, in between working, writing Teasers, and lord knows whatever else, I’ve not had as much time to devote to watching a film or two.

Let alone writing about them.

However?

That’s not to say I’m going to give up on telling you about the films I’ve seen.   It’s just going to be a little less frequent than it’s been.

I’m hoping to supplement that by, instead, putting in some time, elsewhere.   So to speak.

You see, I’m like many people, I know.

I’ve got a TV.   You’d guessed that.

It shows TV programmes.   You’re not stupid: you’d realised that, too.

I think I’d like To add to my blogging horizons: on top of movies, Teasers, pub quizzes, and lord knows what else … ?

I’d like to add writing about genre TV, to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

I’ve already made a start, with Dr Who, and Merlin.

I’d like to — however intermittently — add another to the mix.

I’d like to add something that actually started, last week: on the UK’s Channel 4.

It’s called Humans.

And … ?   I think I like it … 

~≈‡≈~

The Body Farm: Blood, guts, and episodic gruesomenessness

You know, I’ll be frank, but it’s been a while since I’ve posted about a TV show, here on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

As you’ve possibly guessed, by now, I’m something of a science fiction fan.

So the few show’s I’ve written about, just recently … ?

Have been Dr Who and Torchwood: Miracle Day.

And those … ?

Those I’ve happily opined about about, over on Nik Nak and Grub’s Who Peculiar, along with my co-author, Grub.

You’ve probably noticed the ensuing domestic incident, haven’t you … ?

At ANY rate, I’ve got to confess, I’ve just seen a show on BBC1 that I really felt couldn’t go on the Who Peculiar.

Because I’m talking, here about a police drama, rather than out and out SF.

The first episode of the Waking the Dead spin-off, that is The Body Farm.

The Body Farm opens with formerWaking the Dead forensic pathologist, Dr Eve Lockhart — reprised by series regular, Tara Fitzgerald — being offered an interesting little forensic job from DI Craig Hale: played with his usual mix of threatening aplomb and dark ambiguity by Keith Allen.

The job in question is a perfect one for Dr Lockhart’s team of forensic researchers: Mike, played by Mark Bazeby, Oggy, played by Finley Robertson*, and Rosa, played by Wunmi Mosaku, Lockhart’s team of assorted bodies and geeks at the Body Farmº in question.

I’ll let you read the footnoteº and Wikipedia entry, shall I … ?

At any rate … ?

Much like the original Star Wars^, this first episode of The Body Farm throws us into the deep end as Eve arrives at the crime scene: and, briefed by DI Hale, finds herself looking at the remains of two bodies, in a bathroom.

Well …

Smeared all over a bathroom, being accurate.

In a way that DI Hale needs confirming is an explosion …

››•‹‹

Now …

I’ll be frank, I’ve been listening to a lot of Radio 4, just recently.

I’ll be honest, there’s not much TV that’s caught my attention.

But The Body Farm … ?

But I’m happy to say The Body Farm did. I don’t know if it’s scientifically accurate — in fact, I’ve an old friend, Victoriaª, who felt it to be RATHER unrealistic … ! — but I know THIS much …

The Body Farm was gruesome: but bloody entertaining!

* Who I’d last seen in the Dr Who episode, Blink.

º I’m not too sure if there’s any of these in the UK: but there’s about half a dozen in the US. Debbi, bless ’er, will possibly be able to tell us a little more, if she’s come across them in her legal work: but if I’ve understood things correctly, a body farm is devoted to what happens to us once we die. Or, not to whether we ascend to a heaven, hell, purgatory or — as ZZTop claim — Huston. But what happens to our bodies. You know, how fast it takes for a corpse to decompose, what eats us when we ARE dead … and how long it takes for the vultures to start circling. Picky little theological details like that …

ª Who’s much more of a scientist that I could ever hope to be. My brief foray in collage, MANY moons ago, was in performing arts: what can I tell you … ?

^ From what I can remember from reading — believe it or not — the Star Wars Role-playing Game many years ago, the technique of starting a story in the middle of a significant scene is called In Media Res. Which translates as “in the middle of things” … …

A Paradoxical piece of TV

Hmmmm …

I think I’m mildly — mildly — impressed.

Mildly, certainly.

I managed to miss the premier episode of new science-fiction series, Paradox, last night.

So I’m bloody grateful that the BBC’s iPlayer works on OS X.

(Ridiculous, wasn’t it? When the iPlayer was first introduced, it didn’t have full functionality, under OS X. I’m sorry, but with a name like that …)

Where was I … ?

Oh, yeah, Paradox …

As I think I’ve already said, I’m mildly impressed with Paradox.

Last night’s opener — and scene setter — sees Tamzin Outhwaite as DI Rebecca Flint sent to interview Doctor Christian King, played by Emun Elliot. Who’s received some rather disturbing pictures of the apparent bombing of a train.

That seemingly takes place some nine hours in their future.

Yes.

Nine hours.

In the future.

Something that DI Flint is — understandably — a touch sceptical about.

But, as the episode progresses, she and her team — Mark Bonnar as DS Ben Holt, and Chike Okonkwo as DC Callum Gada— find frightening clues that what’s going to happen, will happen, unless they can work rapidly enough.

And a bombing isn’t quite what they’re dealing with.

It’s a petrol tanker, with a dodgy sat-nav, a sleepy driver and a low (rail) bridge going over the tanker’s route …

•••••

Now, I’m thinking Paradox isn’t necessarily original.

Let’s face it, this kind of special forces police-team has been done, before; certainly on the big screen, by Minority Report.

That, and Knowing, certainly cover the idea of predestined fate, in a sci-fi context.

And scientist issuing dire warnings or being part of an investigative team certainly has cropped up, before now; recently, in the ITV production, Eleventh Hour, and, of course, the venerable BBC series, Doomwatch.

•••••

So I’m not thinking this is anything new.

Not yet.

But I’m thinking that this could — could — be an interesting series to catch, if handled correctly.

Lets face it, Eleventh Hour, Primeval, Demons and Robin Hood all bombed.

Here’s hoping.

Micro Men

My word …

I was mildly impressed, last night … !

No, I was.

I’ve got to admit, in between watching the occasional bout of this year’s Grand Prix snooker tournament, I caught “Micro Men”.

And I ended up impressed with a docu-drama that seemed to capture the excitement of the times.

“Micro Men” charts the early years of the British computer boom, and follows the clash between Clive Sinclair — played by Alexander Armstrong — and his former employee, Chris Curry; played sympathetically by former “The Office” star, Martin Freeman.

It’s a very affectionate look at the period the funky looking ZX Spectrum was battling it out with the sturdier — and dull looking — BBC Micro.

Both of which I used.

The Beeb was a sturdy — and fairly high spec — piece of kit. But always had something of a reputation, back then, for being a bit … well … swotty.

It was used at school, remember? (OK, granted a lot of musicians used to record one or two hits on it, but … )

The Spectrum, on the other hand was the nicely designed fun one!

Literally, fun!

The number of games for it was phenomenal.

And rather eye-catching; that’s probably left its mark, on me, at least. The basic equation, for me, is Fun + Computer = Mac.

You couldn’t see that coming, could you?

But back to the story …

As I write, it’s currently still available on the BBC iPlayer, so I’d urge you to go watch it, yourself, while you still can.

But watching “Micro Men”, last night, did leave me very convinced of a thing or two.

Firstly that, whilst Clive Sinclair left us a big legacy — the idea that all of us could have a computer in our front rooms — he seems to have come off rather badly. After all, after the collapse of his company, with the farce of the C5, he ended up having to sell Sinclair Research — and the ZX Spectrum — to Sir Alan Sugar.

And whatever you may think of Sir Alan, time has shown us he’s one hell of a businessman.

And that — however much of a shark Sir Clive may have been — other bigger sharks have managed to build on the foundations he and Chris Curry* laid, and succeed a lot better than he could have dreamt.

That seems a shame; the early 1980s seemed to be one of the few times in my memory when Britain was innovating and seen to be doing so.

* Chris later went on to become a director of the company that developed the ARM chip, and the concepts behind RISC computing. You’ve probably got an ARM chip. It’ll be the one powering your mobile phone. Now that’s a coup!

The Return of Magic …

Ahh …

Well …

FINALLY … !

I’ve actually managed to get me rear in gear, to do a quick post about “Merlin” … !

Now I’ve written about the series, before now, and I’m still impressed it; what’s more, series 2 looks like it’s improving, as well as starting to introduce elements we know from the various legends.

Last week’s episode, “The Once and Future Queen”, saw the start of a relationship bloom, between Arthur — Bradley James — and Guineveve — Angel Coulby. Beautifully written and acted, I should add.

Although Heaven alone knows where that’s going to end …

He says …

Tonight’s episode is called “The Nightmare Begins”, and it’s one that’s centres on Morgana, played by the still cute Katie McGrath.

Not wanting to give too much away, it sees Merlin — Colin Morgan — deciding to help her, after she discovers she has more powers when she suspected.

It’s also an episode that sees Asa Butterfield return, as Mordred, and Colin Salmon — well known from his ‘James Bond’ appearances, as as Doctor Moon, in series four of “Doctor Who” — return as Aglain.

Sounds interesting.

But one thing I didn’t know is that Colin Morgan*, who play’s Merlin, is Irish.

Which pleasantly surprised me; his RP English accent, much like David Tennant’s, is flawless!

Kinda nice to hear him out of character, in that regard.

At any rate, I’m actually looking forward to getting home, tonight.

I’m just hoping the blessed thing tapes!

* Something I remember Terry Pratchett saying in an interview, was that sometimes the fantastic was simply see something familiar in a completely different way. OK, his was seeing Orion upside down in Northern Australia. Which isn’t quite the same as hearing Colin Morgan, David Tennent, or Gillian Andersonº talking with their out of character voices, but …

º Gillian Anderson was brought up in the UK, as her father was a senior executive.  She spent most of her teenage years in the UK. And, after filming “Bleak House”, for the BBC, did an interview for Radio Four, which I caught. I didn’t recognise her, at first. It wasn’t until Sue McGregor, who was conducting the interview, said “Thank you, Gillian Anderson”, I realised who was talking, why they sounded familiar, and why I couldn’t place them. The ever talented Ms Anderson, was using the English accent she’d grown up using …

To Play the King

Well, FINALLY, Google seems to have fixed whatever but stopped a lot of people getting onto Blogger, this morning … Terrible, when that happens, isn’t it?

I think if Google, and Blogger can post up a brief explanation of why so many of us were getting that “automated attack” message, they’d make a lot of people happy.

Or complain a bit less, certainly.

But, as you may be able to tell, from last week, I’m working, tonight.

So, myself and Adrian have managed to rearrange Movie night for tomorrow night.   Should be good.  Probably be Guy Ritchie’s “Snatch”, but I may well suggest “Constantine”.    I’ll let you know …

But I thought I’d mention I was definitely impressed with “House of Cards”.   You can read what I wrote, here.

The original series is something I’ve wanted to see to for year’s, I should add, and, having seen it, might well – when finances improve – think about investing in a copy.

Part of the appeal – and certainly the influencing factor in keeping me glued to the follow-up, “To Play The King” – is the writing.   “House of Cards” was nicely written, by Andrew Davies, and Michæl Dobbs.   And “To Play The King” seems – going by the first episode, which is what I’m watching, now – to be benefiting from the same team.   The opening episode of “To Play the King” isn’t the immediate grabber that it’s equivalent in “House of Cards” was; – instead, like a very friendly, but very determined cat.

It’s decided your lap is somewhere nice and warm to sit; – it’s sinking it claws in, to tell you it’s not going anywhere, until it wants to …

It’s sort of the same with the acting.

The various recurring roles are pretty much the same.   Old familiar friends, in fact …

Diane Fletcher returns as Elizabeth Urquhart, as Lady MacBeth-like as she was in the first series, with Colin Jeavons as Tim Stamper, newly promoted to the post of Chief Whip.

And, given what happens to Mattie, in the first series, that’s an extremely interesting post …

It also features Michæl Kitchen is the (unnamed) new King of Great Britain.   Who does come across as being familiar, somehow.   I can’t help but feel reminded of a certain Greek-born Royal Duke, if anyone, combined with some of his sons more left wing ideas …

But lets face it, we know who we’re really watching, don’t we?

The late Ian Richardson is as riveting as the first time!!   It just goes to show, there’s no good actor, like an OLD good actor!   He manages to carry this first episode, as he did the whole of the first series.   I’m glued, so far, to “To Play The King” as I was to “House Of Cards”.   I think we can see why people made such a fuss about his performance, can’t we?

And I couldn’t help but notice, he really couldn’t get away from it, ‘til the day he … well …

A House Of Cards

Now, I don’t know if you remember me mentioning that it’s not often good TV turns up, andthat it should be recommended, when it does?   Certainly blogged about.   I was talking about “Genesis of the Daleks”, at the time; – which is stand-out story of the classic version of “Doctor Who”.

And I have to admit, one thing I’m thankful for is the amount of stuff being re-shown on various Freeview channels.   I’m thinking in this case of Yesterday; – the newly re-named UKTV History.   Who have just made my day.

Usually, I don’t go near the dramas the station shows; –  endless Jane Austen, Catherine Cookson, and James Herriot may give me some fascinating historical viewpoints, but really don’t appeal.   It’s partly why I gone off Fred Dibnah, as well, UKTV History were showing a little bit too much, at one point …

But they have managed to bag something I missed when it was shown originally, and when it got repeated on BBC4.

Here, let me introduce you to someone …

Ian Richardson, as the career defining Sir Francis Urquhart, in “House of Cards”.   And I can’t help but think that Late Ian Richardson must have had a WHALE of a time, playing the part!

I knew, of course, that the series had a very good reputation, amongst both fans and viewers, but this is, don’t forget, the first time I’ve seen as much as the first episode.   That intro has  impressed me; – certainly the first thirty seconds – a brief line from Ian Richardson, as Sir Francis Urquart, spoken to camera – caught me, and had watching the rest of the episode.   Which sees Ian Richardson’s Chief Whip involved in mild to serious backstabbing, two parliamentary leaks, and some … ahh … dubious … transfers of money.   Fairly relevant, actually, given that Bernie Madoff seems to be having trouble, that way …

And beautifully played from all concerned, but it’s Ian Richardson that steals the show, from where I was sitting.   Many, it seems, say that Richardson derived performed was influenced heavily by “Richard the 3rd”, and “MacBeth”.   I wouldn’t swear to the former, but I did pick up on the Lady MacBeth overtones of Elizabeth Urquhart, ably played by Diane Fletcher.   And the possibly Banquoesque tones to rookie journalist, Mattie Storin – played by the gorgeous Susannah Harker.

This first episode has a lot going on; – a hell of a lot more than ITV’s “Demons”, which I wrote about, a little while ago.   Granted the latter is aimed at more of a family audience, but, given the multi layered nature of the current version of “Doctor Who”, let along something like “House …”, “Demons” did fall a bit short.

But, at any rate, I am impressed with “House of Cards”.   Certainly impressed enough to set the timer on the recorder.   And to recommend it to you.

But as for whether Sir Francis is the best, juiciest, nastiest, charming, affable, deadliest, scheming, two faced, and above all LIKEABLE villain I’ve ever seen on TV … ?