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Reviews
Britain's Deadliest Rail Disaster: Quintinshill (2015)
Absolutely horrific! But Neil Oliver brings it to life.
I very much enjoy anything Neil Oliver narrates. He's interesting, intelligent and tells a wonderful story. This though. Wow. It's impossible to imagine. Calling this "The Titanic of railway accidents" is spot on. Mass graves. Children unclaimed. And it's almost forgotten! This brings the whole thing to life. This story needed to be told. I'm wondering if this could happen today? Hmmmm. Any major "accident" usually comes down, in one way or another, to human error. Whether mistakes are made in its theory, inception, in the manufacture or in the use of the product from the smallest thing ie: a toy with a choking hazard to a train accident, human error can usually be blamed. This is exactly the situation where an accident was inevitable. Poorly maintained, dangerous equipment, rules ignored, lack of attention to detail, a possible physical illness, company apathy and passing the buck are clear. More to the point, the treatment of uninjured soldiers was abysmal! Because we then find out those uninjured soldiers were headed to Gallipoli, which makes it all the more tragic. An erudite, well presented documentary, but the tragedy stays with one long after it's over.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries (2021)
That song! That's what caught my attention. The show kept it.
The song "Passing Through" by Hague and White was the original reason I watched the first episode. Recommended by a friend, she said you'll love the music, then you'll love the show. She was right on both counts. I adore this show. It's funny, light, interesting, the scenery is just gorgeous and the actors all loveable, even with the intrigue of that background menace. It's a bit predictable but who cares? It's just downright fun to watch. The fact the actors are all "of a certain age" is impressive, plus not one is a "perfect" looking star. One gets tired of seeing size 000, starving, blonde "perfect" little things and chiseled, sculptured looks impossible for normal folks to care about. They don't look real! These actors do. And I love it.
The fact they keep it bilingual is a plus as well. This show captures me. I'm there. The real world disappears. I'm lost in the show. As any good show will do. I'm rationing the second season because I just don't want it to end! I'm hoping for four seasons minimum.
The Guilty (2013)
Why are they so upset about having a "different" child! I hate this.
The show is fine. Far from great. Predictable. BUT I do absolutely HATE the way the parents (police officer and husband) behave regarding their son being "different". It's like the absolute WORST thing that could happen! They have an autistic child. Very high functioning. And they react as if they've been told he's terribly, terribly disabled. Can't be dealt with! Her reaction was over the top. Think of parents who are questioning their child's behaviour and seeing the obvious shame and reluctance to admit even the possibility there's something wrong. Thinking her child is "gone". Aaarrggghhhhh! I hate, hate, hate it. It's ridiculous. And for some reason the mother is completely and utterly morose about everything.
Marple: Sleeping Murder (2006)
Way too confusing and poorly written.
How can I say this kindly. This~was an utter mess! I have watched every Miss Marple no matter who played her. I'm not at all fussy. I just really love Marple. I also absolutely adore period pieces, especially from Britain (look at those locations!) and they do try to make it appear authentic (except for one blooper), so the ambiance was certainly there. I'm not a fan of Ms. Christie's writing. Apparently I don't have to be, because this confusing, unclear and really terrible script, which according to some of the esteemed reviewers here who have read it, has nothing in common with her novel, except the name. I was, for the first 45 minutes, confused as to who the fiancé was, what the troupe had to do with it (that was the worst part~it seemed almost like an afterthought) and who, exactly her fiancé is/was? And did they have to make Gwenda so unpleasant by times? It tarnishes the "good girl" scenerio and honestly doesn't make sense. I was disappointed in all of it honestly. I've started the series again after seeing it on PBS years ago. Other than this, really, really terrible script, I've enjoyed them~so far.
Ladies of Letters (2009)
I absolutely and completely LOVED this series. It's a must see for women "of a certain age".
I laughed til I cried. I cried til I laughed. This is decidedly my favourite British female led comedy. These women are brilliant. Their long careers were a testament to their abilities. I've binge-watched it three times and will again. I just adore the entire concept. You aren't ever quite sure if their "friendship" is really THAT contentious. I'm Vera. A past real and for true hippie. Love a vodka tonic (mostly vodka, of course). Irene reminds me of a lot of women friends and it's glorious! I'm old(ish) and I see them portraying life as old(ish) women who long for a past that didn't really exist~except in their memories.