Shetland Series 3 on BBC

I am just one of many fans of the Shetland series of books written by the author Ann Cleeves. Of the six books that so far comprise this series, four have been adapted for television by BBC scriptwriters. These episodes that made up series 1 and 2 loosely followed the plots in Ann's books, although on one occasion they decided to change the identity of the murderer. Only scriptwriters in their infinite wisdom get away with this. For all that the first two series were enjoyable; the main characters known to all readers were there: DI Jimmy Perez, DS Alison McIntosh, DC Sandy Wilson, Sgt Billy McBride and Fiscal Rhona Kelly. Two books have not been adapted for TV and Ann is in the throes of writing book #7 entitled 'Earth to Earth'. She herself has said: "The TV adaptations are very often very different from the books - the scriptwriters cut some characters and add others, cut big chunks of plot and sometimes they even change the murderer!" 

So, I have watched Shetland series 3 to its conclusion with both dismay and anger. This series is only based on characters created by Ann Cleeves. It is not remotely based on any book. It created plot lines that are irreversible and clearly pay no heed to the fact that Ann is writing a 7th book. The programme includes the gratuitous and totally unnecessary rape of DS Tosh McIntosh, who come the end hands in a transfer request, to leave Lerwick (Shetland). This single act will have a cataclysmic affect on the 7th book that Cleeves is writing. You cannot undo something that has appeared on TV and will remain in the minds of all her fans who have read her books and await the next with great anticipation. Did the scriptwriters consult with Cleeves over the outcome of TV series 3? Would she have agreed to this horrible development? I think not. How can any reader now look forward to book #7 with great anticipation having watched this travesty of television? Can Cleeves' 7th book in the series adopt the happenings of this latest TV series or will she just ignore them?

I can only wait now until October when book #7 is expected to be published. But this latest TV airing has left a bad taste....

  

Snookered

I am rather short on blog-posts this week. I am totally absorbed in watching the World Snooker Championship on BBC TV. Today saw the start of the semi-finals, 33 frames in each of two matches. Each semi is split into up to four sessions, all played on just one table at the Crucible Centre in Sheffield. (I would love to be there, maybe next year).

The first session of the first semi-final saw Sean Murphy head Barry Hawkins by 6 frames to 2. In the second my favourite, Stuart Bingham, heads odds-on favourite Judd Trump, by 5 frames to 3. It's all compelling viewing and coverage will begin again tomorrow at 1:00pm.

Time to get some more beers in....

The Missing

I don't get much time for TV at the moment but there are certain programmes that I list in my 'must watch live' calendar. "The Missing' just aired its final (8th) episode tonight on BBC television. For seven episodes I have been totally enthralled. My wife and I have discussed every episode and had our own theories, one of which came close to the truth But no-one could have predicted the outcome of the final episode.

The lead cast in this compelling series are utterly convincing: Julien (TCHEKY KARYO), Emily (FRANCES O’CONNOR) and Tony (JAMES NESBITT). It is difficult to discuss the series without giving away the plot and, ultimately, the outcome.

SPOILER ALERT

During a holiday to the continent, the Hughes’ family car breaks down, forcing them to take an unscheduled stay in a small French town. After taking an evening swim with his father, five-year-old Olly suddenly vanishes, quickly triggering a major search. Written by Jack and Harry Williams, this 2014 thriller takes viewers inside the mind of a man desperate and determined to find his lost son. When the police and even his wife Emily appear resigned to never seeing the child again, Tony refuses to give up, enlisting the help of retired detective Julien Baptiste. Is it now too late, or does hope still remain for an eventual reunion with Oliver?

I hope that this series is broadcast on US TV because it is a spellbinding and compelling programme. Probably one of the best dramas aired by BBC TV in 2014.

Riley - Trials and Tribulations

It's day 4. We are constantly on the alert. Introducing a 2 year old cat into an environment dominated by two 'senior citizens' is not easy. The tension sometimes is palpable. We have installed Feliway plug-in diffusers in those rooms most frequented by our cats. The atmosphere should be saturated with pheromones by now. Indeed, Riley, the new introduction, is now so laid back he managed to perform a major 'stretch' on his favourite bed atop the pouffe, and performed a backward somersault and fell off. He quickly regained his perch with a rather indignant look.

So, there we were this evening, watching football on the TV, with three cats, all in the same room, watching each other, with Ros and me on constant alert to intervene at the first sign of "I'm 'avin' you!" But it didn't happen. Perhaps the pheromones have kicked in. I certainly hope so. But I am on a constant state of alert. Shenanigans will not be tolerated. Try telling 'Bertie' that!

But for all this, Riley is now home in our cosy, dry, warm environment, clears every bowl of food presented to him and sleeps like - well - a baby. I have never known a cat to sleep so soundly.

And on that note, it's time for me to get some sleep too. A cat-nap would be appropriate...

The Honourable Woman

I have watched more TV over the past two weeks than I probably have since the beginning of the year. Heady days of World Cup football, Wimbledon tennis and F1 Grand Prix racing have kept me entertained amidst a calendar containing no 'soap' episodes, much to my wife's chagrin.

Beside my love for sport I do enjoy a good drama series. The Scandinavians are particularly good at producing these; The Killing and The Bridge are two typical examples. Occasionally we British come up with the goods and my interest was aroused in a new BBC2 drama entitled 'The Honourable Woman' - the first of eight episodes aired on Thursday. Written by Hugo Blick (that alone is usually a good recommendation) and starring Maggie Gyllenhaal as businesswoman Nessa Stein, this first episode had me gripped from the start.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

This could turn out to be the 'spook' drama to eclipse all predecessors. Scene stealing Stephen Rae (did you see him in 'The Crying Game' - brilliant) portrays sceptical MI6 agent Hugh Hayden-Doyle, a terrific performance that put me in mind of George Smiley. I will watch this first episode again today (series set to record on the Virgin box) with my wife who has yet to see it.

The momentum, richness and complexity of this drama are maintained throughout. If the remaining seven episodes are equal to this, The Honourable Woman will win every award going (yes, it's that good) and when it ends in the final days of summer its fans will be legion and messianic in its cause. Nothing on telly is going to be this good for some time to come.