SeniorLearn.org Discussions

Scheduled & Proposed Book Discussions => PBS Programs => Topic started by: marcie on December 31, 2015, 12:09:31 PM

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on December 31, 2015, 12:09:31 PM
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiececlassic.jpg) 
See the 2015-2016 MASTERPIECE schedule (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html)

Let's talk about PBS programs that we enjoy.

CURRENT

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/durrells1.jpg)
The Durrells in Corfu (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/durrells-corfu-s1/), Season 1
October 16 - November 20, 2016

Keeley Hawes (Upstairs Downstairs) stars as an intrepid widow who decamps from dreary England to a sun-dappled Greek island with her four recalcitrant children, ages 11 to 21, on this six-part adaptation of Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals and its two sequels.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/poldark2.jpg)
Poldark (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/poldark-s2/), Season 2
October 2 - November 27, 2016

In 18th century Cornwall, times are as tough as the rocky shoreline: unemployment, hunger, and sickness are widespread among the working class, while the wealthy landowners prosper. Only one man dares to defy the status quo.

ALREADY DISCUSSED
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/lewis8.jpg)
Lewis Season 8 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/lewis/)
August 7-21, 2016

Kevin Whately stars as Inspector Lewis, the former working-class foil to the erudite Detective Inspector Morse. Together with his cool, cerebral partner Detective Sergeant Hathaway (Laurence Fox), Lewis tackles murder and mayhem in the seemingly-perfect academic haven of Oxford.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/endeavour3.jpg)
Endeavour Season 3 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/endeavour/)
June 19 - July 10, 2016

Shaun Evans (The Take, The Last Weekend, Silk), charms audiences with his portrayal of the early career of cerebral and solitary Detective Constable Morse in Endeavour, written by Inspector Lewis creator and Inspector Morse writer Russell Lewis.
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/wallander/Wallander4.jpg)
Wallander Season 4 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/wallander/)
May 8-22, 2016

Kenneth Branagh returns as Inspector Kurt Wallander in the Swedish sleuth’s farewell episodes, bringing the beloved, Emmy®-nominated series to a poignant end. Neither carnage, corruption, or terrifying lapses of memory can keep this brooding detective from cracking cases. In the final mysteries, Branagh gives a heartbreaking performance of a gritty cop starting to lose his grip. The series is based on the novels by Henning Mankell.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiece_2015/Grantchester.jpg)
Grantchester Season 2 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/grantchester/)
March 27 - May 1, 2016

“As a priest, isn’t everything our business?” asks Reverend Sidney Chambers as he
 gets to the bottom of another baffling murder around the placid village of Grantchester. James Norton stars as the handsome, jazz-loving vicar, with Robson Green as his law-enforcement ally, Inspector Geordie Keating. The series is based on the acclaimed novels by James Runcie.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/downton6.jpg)
Downton Abbey Season 6 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey)
January 3- March 6, 2016

Rejoin this Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning drama for a sixth and final season.


(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/sherlock.jpg)
Sherlock - The Abominable Bride (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/episode/sherlock-the-abominable-bride/)
January 1; repeated on January 10, 2016

Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the acclaimed modern retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories. But now, our heroes find themselves in 1890s London.


Discussion Leaders:  JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net) and marcie (marciei@aol.com)

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on December 31, 2015, 12:13:27 PM
The last season of Downton Abbey starts this Sunday! There is an 11 minute audio "podcast" about the new season at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/features/podcast/get-ready-downton-abbey-final-season/

And, before that, as Ginny has reminded us, "Sherlock: The Abominable Bride," a 90-minute special, will premiere tomorrow, Friday, January 1, 2016, on MASTERPIECE Mystery! on PBS at 9:00pm ET, and simultaneously online at pbs.org/masterpiece. The special will have an encore broadcast on Sunday, January 10, at 10:00pm ET. This is the first time that Sherlock has premiered in the US and the UK on the same day. There is a new trailer for the program at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/previews/sherlock-abominable-bride-trailer-2/

Watching this Sherlock special on the first of January seems a good way to start the new year. Happy new year everyone!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on December 31, 2015, 01:14:53 PM
mark
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on December 31, 2015, 01:50:01 PM
X
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on December 31, 2015, 02:28:03 PM
Looking forward to the New Year, although I am having a bit of trouble with realizing how far we have travelled into the 21st century.

Happy New Year Everyone!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on December 31, 2015, 02:46:17 PM
Jean, so true! It's already almost 16 years since the "millenium."!!!!

I'm glad that everyone is checking into this new discussion for 2016.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on December 31, 2015, 08:08:50 PM
Marking my place, looking forward to the 2016 PBS programs and

Wishing each of you a Very Happy New Year


as I'm watching a New Year's Eve "Live At Lincoln Center" with the New York Philharmonic Symphony on PBS.

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: nlhome on December 31, 2015, 09:57:59 PM
Just checking in. I haven't watched Downton Abbey recently, though. Lost interest.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on January 01, 2016, 01:51:32 PM
Happy New Year to everyone from a very cold Edinburgh. Today OH and I walked along the Water of Leith from the Dean Gallery to Leith itself, had tea and cake in a very nice cafe (one of the few open) then walked back via Princes Street, where almost all the shops were closed but the 'entertainments' - the ferris wheel, scarey chair thing, helter skelter, etc - were still going strong. Elder daughter worked on a pop up bar in Princes Street for the duration of the Hogmanay celebrations (now unfortunately totally commercialised and run by Underbelly, a company also much in evidence during the Fringe Festival in the summer) - got home at 3am but had made £120 in one night, so it was worth it for her. She had to sell little bottles of beer at £5 EACH, and says people were buying ten at a time - £50 a throw on beer!

I have seen the Grantchester TV programmes and I've also seen James Runcie in the flesh, speaking about his books, his father (the late Archbishop of Canterbury) and his writing life. He's a hugely entertaining speaker, and seems a very decent sort of man too. He says that he does not intend his Grantchester books to be 'cosy', and wants to use them as a vehicle for looking at issues like death, the experience of homosexual men before legalisation (he himself is not gay), the treatment of refugees, etc. He is well worth going to see if you get the chance.

I've been very lazy these last few days and really must start to get organised again tomorrow.

Best wishes to all,

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: nlhome on January 01, 2016, 05:10:17 PM
Thanks for the information about James Runcie, Rosemary. I read a couple of his Sidney Chambers books and saw a few episodes on TV, and I enjoyed them. I agree, not cozy, as there is darkness running through.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on January 02, 2016, 06:27:27 AM
What a strange Sherlock that was. I thought about turning it off, but just couldn't. Glad I didn't. So is Moriarty a product of Sherlock's drug addled brain as a stimulus to solve difficult crimes by attributing them to a criminal mastermind his equal? Or was he real at some point and Sherlock had drug induced nightmares that he still exists. Whether he was real or not, Sherlock seems to thrive (need?) Moriarty as a catalyst to stimulate his creative thinking processes. It kind of reminds me of one or two artist/musicians who, it's been said, couldn't unlock their creativity without the use of drugs. I wonder if Conan Doyle ever commented on the character of Moriarty as real or figment of Sherlock's fertile imagination.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 02, 2016, 10:07:21 AM
Scared me to death. hahahaa I had to tape it to watch in the daytime. 
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on January 02, 2016, 12:22:09 PM
I'm probably the only person on this forum that does not like Cumberbatch as Holmes.  I turned on the CC as he talks so fast I have trouble understanding him, but, after a half hour, I gave up and went on to something else.  I think I would have enjoyed this new series of Sherlock Holmes if Martin Freeman had played the part of Sherlock and Cumberbatch had gone on to one of the other roles he does so well.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on January 02, 2016, 04:44:25 PM
It sounds like you enjoyed a lovely January 1, Rosemary. I appreciate the info about Runcie and the Grantchester books/series.

I couldn't believe it when I tried to watch the Sherlock special last evening. None of my 3 local/near local PBS stations were showing it!!! I tried to watch the streaming broadcast on my computer but it kept getting "stuck." I'm going to have to wait until January 10 to see the episode. It sounds very weird, Frybabe.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on January 03, 2016, 01:36:25 AM
BBC Entertainment & Arts
(http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/A2DD/production/_87139614_sherlockspecial_photoembargoedforuseuntil15.00bst-3pmbritishsummertimeon24.10.15-24thoctober2015_sherlockxs_51mb.jpg)
BBC One show Sherlock attracted more than eight million viewers for its New Year's Day special - the highest TV drama audience of the festive season.

The Abominable Bride - which starred Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson - attracted 34.7% of the TV audience.

The final episode of ITV drama Downton Abbey won the Christmas Day ratings battle with an average of 6.6m viewers.

BBC One's New Year's Eve fireworks was watched by more than 12m, the BBC said.

Sherlock attracted 8.4m viewers, the highest overnight audience across all channels for a drama of the festive season, the BBC said.

The two-hour Downton Abbey finale attracted a peak audience of 7.1m, beating the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special as the most watched Christmas Day show.

The Strictly special was the BBC's most-watched show of Christmas Day, with a peak of seven million viewers and an average of 6.5m.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 03, 2016, 08:50:37 AM
Jean, he does talk fast, doesn't he? I think that's part of the computer like mind thing they have him doing.

Knocked Downton off in the ratings! That's something else! (Did you all see the Rose Parade Downton Abbey float? Gorgeous!)

Mycroft!!! I can't believe Mycroft!!! I won't give anything away till the 10th, but it fits the Arthur Conan Doyle character, what a HOOT!  I'm going on a diet. Still watching in spurts when the sun is up. hahaha

PS: Just finished it. THAT is something else!

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 03, 2016, 01:56:01 PM
Now that I have calmed down from the experience I can appreciate it even more.  Scary as all get out, tho.

The new Sherlock series will return in 2017!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 04, 2016, 09:14:49 AM
Downton Abbey, Oh I did love the first one, since I have no idea who watched and who didnt, I will just say that they are doing a spectacular job with the aging lovers and Mrs. Patmore had a great part last night.. And Edith seems to be getting a backbone.. Hooray.
Have not seen the Sherlock, was not carried by my local PBS
yet, and darn it all, they are showing reruns of Call the Midwife. at 5 in the afternoon..
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on January 04, 2016, 10:26:04 AM
Loved the first episode of Downton Abbey.  It didn't disappoint, that's for sure.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on January 04, 2016, 11:08:12 AM
I watched the last episode of last season and then a special preview countdown to the new episode and then the first episode of Season 6. It was fun to see everyone again. I appreciate the acting even more this season. The series has such a great cast.

In the hour preview (with pledge breaks) it was interesting to see the cast members without their Downton Abbey makeup, wigs and dress. Anna, in particular, is stunning and look at these photos of the actress who plays Edith:
https://www.google.com/search?q=laura+carmichael&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi7i8LlxZDKAhVE82MKHYpwA_EQ_AUIBygB&biw=1177&bih=889
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on January 04, 2016, 05:40:17 PM
So nice to see the actors as "real people".   The actresses who play Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Patmore and Daisy look the most different in real life.

As is usual, the first episode seems to set up the plot lines for the rest of the series.  Things could go in all sorts of directions.   I enjoyed the pre-show with Kelli O'Hara but could have done without the one afterwards.

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on January 04, 2016, 05:42:37 PM
Callie like you it felt like over kill with the before and after on the show - lot happened in that one show and was not aware until I saw the repeat late Sunday night.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 05, 2016, 08:44:51 AM
I did the before show, but skipped the after.. Dont want clues as to what is going to happen. Yes, both Anna and Edith are truly lovely in real life.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 11, 2016, 08:07:56 AM
Wolf Hall won the Golden Globe!

I was disappointed that Mark Rylance didn't get one at all , despite being up for two films nor Damien Lewis but at least Wolf Hall did.

Does anybody know who the grey haired woman was standing on stage with everybody for the award?
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 11, 2016, 09:26:47 AM
mark.. dont do award shows.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Winchesterlady on January 11, 2016, 12:12:44 PM
Does anybody know who the grey haired woman was standing on stage with everybody for the award?
Ginny -- That was Rebecca Eaton. She is the Executive Producer of Masterpiece. The only reason I know this is that several years ago I bought a book by her titled, "Making Masterpiece," which ls very good.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: JeanneP on January 11, 2016, 01:57:58 PM
Last night it seemed like Downton Abbey was mostly repeating what Had been seen before.  Just a little of the last half hour was new. 
Was the same with Sherlock Holmes.  They showed last weeks.  Wonder if it was because of the Award shows being on.

Not able to get into Seniorsandfriends.org. this morning. Wonder why.

Need to give the computer a rest today and get other things done.  Sun is out even thought frost on everything. May even try taking a walk later
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on January 11, 2016, 03:51:33 PM
JeanneP,  the first hour of Downton Abbey last night (6:58 - 8:00 p.m. CST) was a rerun of last week's episode. The 2nd hour was the new episode and I only noticed references to the previous one.  The "cliff-hanger" was connected with Marigold. 

I was able to get into S&F earlier this morning but haven't been able to do so for the past hour or more.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 11, 2016, 05:47:33 PM
Thank you, Winchester Lady!! Believe it or not I HAVE that book! But for some reason I didn't recognize her. I didn't realize the BBC was in danger, I'm a big fan. I get it on their IPad APP and I really like their sections, Health for one, they are always up on the very latest news.

Damien Lewis (Henry VIII) is going to be in a SHO channel series called Billions and it's supposedly very good.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: JeanneP on January 11, 2016, 08:17:25 PM
Callie.  Couple of things I can't understand on the new D Abbey.  Now is it saying that Mary still does not know that that baby girl belongs to her Sister.?
Looks like the man running the farm is going to be moving. I would say that he will go to work for the people just bought the other big house. Then Daisy's. FIL who is loosing that farm job there will be coming over to help Mary run the one at Dowton Abbey.

 Also I heard them say. Rose is coming home from NY to visit and someone made the remark as . She could be pregnant.  Now when and who did she marry?

Yes, S and F is still having problems.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on January 11, 2016, 10:27:45 PM
JeanneP,  I don't think Mary knows that Marigold is Edith's baby. 
Lord Grantham "had a talk" with the tenant farmer about moving and, after the farmer's wife kidnapped Marigold from the Fair, the farmer agreed.
Good thought that the move may be to the new people in the big house - and that Daisy's FIL will become a tenant farmer at Downton.

Yes, Rose is supposedly coming home from NY "with child".    I don't remember hearing anything about a marriage, though.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 12, 2016, 09:09:30 AM
Oh yes, she married last year in a semi scandal since she married a jewish man and his family was not happy, but Rose and her young man were and went off to start a new life in NY..
Yes, Edith refuses to tell Mary, seems to feel that Mary would hold it against her and Mary seems incredible uncurious about Marigold. which is not normal for nosy Mary.,
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on January 12, 2016, 05:06:09 PM
Steph,  I had forgotten about Rose marrying the Jewish man.  Thank you for the reminder.  I wonder if he will be coming back with her?
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 13, 2016, 09:05:54 AM
I liked Rose, she was sort of a ditz, but when she fell in love stayed steadfast..
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on January 13, 2016, 11:10:33 AM
Yes, Steph, Rose was kind of a ditz --young and impetuous--but she is steadfast and quick-witted. She got her father-in-law out of a very embarrassing situation at home when his mistress and their son arrived unexpectedly. Now he sees her in a new light.

I finally saw the Sherlock episode of The Abominable Bride. That drug-augmented memory palace with Moriarity as Sherlock's foil (and manifestation of his weaknesses?) was quite weird, Ginny. It kept going and going. Again and again, it would seem Sherlock was regaining consciousness of "the present" but it was all part of the trance-state. His way of deducing the facts of the case of the abominable bride.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on January 13, 2016, 02:42:36 PM
In the future maybe Netflix will get Downton Abbey.  I would like to see the whole series again.  There are so many interesting tidbits I have forgotten.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 13, 2016, 05:14:08 PM
FlaJean, Netflix has  6 seasons of Downton Abbey if I am reading their site correctly and I may not be. Joy!

Marcie, when Frybabe asked if Moriarty was only in Sherlock's  mind all along or in his dreams, I didn't think so. I think his peculiarness  this last episode was the result of his drug use (which is in keeping with the original  Holmes) and part hallucination and part not. I think Moriarty was real. I love the way the writers keep us in confusion and suspense and wondering. But it's still scary as all heck. I love the way they did that.  I've had to let some time go by  before I could really appreciate what they did. I've been wondering what you thought of it.

The mind palace thing was something the Greeks and Romans used. Cicero particularly used  it. Here's an article on  Sherlock and the Mind Palace in the Smithsonian, very interesting: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/secrets-sherlocks-mind-palace-180949567/
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on January 13, 2016, 05:42:29 PM
Could Moriarty be Sherlock's talking cow or vat of milk by which the entire story comes to mind - the brother being a fat man could be but then his brother was seldom involved in solving any of his crimes - I do think the palace of his mind was the place in his memory and thought process that is further activated with his use of drugs which was in keeping with the original. I do think Moriarty was also from him mind - not sure how a live person could function with half the back of his head gone.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 14, 2016, 08:49:07 AM
hmm, glad I am not watching Sherlock. I tend to like the original stories , but not all of the current stuff.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on January 14, 2016, 10:17:18 AM
I don't like the current stuff either on Sherlock.

Ginny, I only stream on Netflix and Downton Abbey is not currently available for streaming.  Perhaps it will be when this season is over.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on January 14, 2016, 10:38:57 AM
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiececlassic.jpg) 
See the 2015-2016 MASTERPIECE schedule (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html)

Let's talk about PBS programs that we enjoy.

DISCUSSING NOW
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/wallander/Wallander4.jpg)
Wallander Season 4 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/wallander/)
May 8-22, 2016

Kenneth Branagh returns as Inspector Kurt Wallander in the Swedish sleuth’s farewell episodes, bringing the beloved, Emmy®-nominated series to a poignant end. Neither carnage, corruption, or terrifying lapses of memory can keep this brooding detective from cracking cases. In the final mysteries, Branagh gives a heartbreaking performance of a gritty cop starting to lose his grip. The series is based on the novels by Henning Mankell.

ALREADY DISCUSSED
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiece_2015/Grantchester.jpg)
Grantchester Season 2 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/grantchester/)
March 27 - May 1, 2016

“As a priest, isn’t everything our business?” asks Reverend Sidney Chambers as he
 gets to the bottom of another baffling murder around the placid village of Grantchester. James Norton stars as the handsome, jazz-loving vicar, with Robson Green as his law-enforcement ally, Inspector Geordie Keating. The series is based on the acclaimed novels by James Runcie.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/downton6.jpg)
Downton Abbey Season 6 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey)
January 3- March 6, 2016

Rejoin this Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning drama for a sixth and final season.


(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/sherlock.jpg)
Sherlock - The Abominable Bride (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/episode/sherlock-the-abominable-bride/)
January 1; repeated on January 10, 2016

Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the acclaimed modern retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories. But now, our heroes find themselves in 1890s London.


Discussion Leaders:  JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net) and marcie (marciei@aol.com)


Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on January 14, 2016, 10:39:11 AM
Ginny, you're right. It was Frybabe who posed the question about Moriarity being in Sherlock's mind all along-- a figment of his drug-augmented imagination. Like you, I think that it was only in this episode that Moriarity had a role in Sherlock's memory palace when he was trying to figure out the case of the abominable bride. In the previous episodes, I think that Moriarity was an actual rival.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on January 14, 2016, 12:33:30 PM
Did you see where Alan Rickman died today - only age 69 - he was such a wonderful actor and I hoped to see more of him although I understand in recent years he was doing more directing - loved him in Sense and Sensibility.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Dana on January 14, 2016, 01:50:55 PM
Downton Abbey is on amazon prime for free.  I have given up on netflx. It seems everything I want to watch is only available on DVD and I can't be bothered with that now...amazing ......I'm doing an acorn subscription with amazon at the moment, there are a few things they have I want to see......
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 14, 2016, 02:01:03 PM
I would love to "stream." I have no earthly idea how to do it. Once you do it, can you keep the movie and watch it again or is it gone?

Will it only appear on the device you "streamed" it on or all of them? I don't have a Smart TV.

How does it work? I have Prime. I have no idea what to do.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Dana on January 14, 2016, 03:59:28 PM
Well, I never do it on tv.  If you look up ,say, Downton Abbey on amazon video you just click on watch now. You can watch it on any device I think.  I have a laptop and a notebook. You might have to download silver something or other the first time, but they tell you what to do......you can watch as many times as you like as long as they still have it.  They tell you when its going to be withdrawn.  I prefer watching stuff on my laptop but I may be weird, I think its more intimate and I like the subtitles in that format.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 14, 2016, 07:29:59 PM
Thank you. One day when I have some leisure I think I'll try it. I've not had WiFi for but a short time and so have not been able to do it.

I also like a laptop type screen, for movie watching. I like to  use a DVD player, I have one which has quite a large screen, it's either 13 or 15 inches and I also like the size of the films and on some films the closed captioning. The size is huge to me when it sits so close. So I think I'll give the streaming a go, if it will play on any of the devices I have available. I wish I had gotten a Smart TV, I bet it would have played on that.

:)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on January 14, 2016, 11:09:07 PM
Barbara, I'm so sorry to learn that Alan Rickman died of cancer at only age 69. He was a wonderful actor. I too loved his portrayal of Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility. He also played with Emma Thompson in the PBS broadcast of the Song of Lunch.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 15, 2016, 08:33:53 AM
Amazon Prime has instructions on streaming on the site.. I have not done it, but I am the opposite, I love the bigger tv in my comfortable living room as opposed to my smaller computer in my office.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Dana on January 15, 2016, 12:04:40 PM
I have just started watching The Wire. (on my laptop!)  I almost quit but now I'm hooked....5 series, super!!!

Re Alan Rickman....first I remember him was as Obadiah Slope, really slimy, marvellous. (Barchester Chronicles)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on January 15, 2016, 12:22:28 PM
Yes I read where he was known among actors and directors for a quick dry wit - and as I reviewed his movies I could see it - I bet he had a blast playing Obadiah if he saw the humor - he does play him a bit broad and maybe that is the source of his approach - I do have those tapes -

Not sure if I want to see Die Hard and yet, most of the obits speak to him playing in that movie - the one I would love to see but on Amazon the cheapest is $98 with the regular version from Amazon $554 is Truly, Madly, Deeply - I've been so enchanted with the books that I saw only 5 of the Harry Potter movies and did not look for the subtleties that folks are quoting on facebook. 
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Dana on January 15, 2016, 02:21:49 PM
yes, I think I must look at Die Hard.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 16, 2016, 08:29:10 AM
I just cannot deal with that level of violence, so not me.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on January 18, 2016, 03:59:20 PM
here you go - for everyone who likes the British Baking show and wants to improve their baking...

http://www.lifehack.org/356834/27-infographics-that-all-bakers-need?mid=20160118&ref=mail&uid=13700&feq=daily
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 18, 2016, 07:04:19 PM
Neato!! I am printing that out.  Thank you!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on January 19, 2016, 09:30:42 AM
Dont watch the show, but I have always been a baker.. bread,cake, pies, etc. Love to bake.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on January 21, 2016, 11:20:05 PM
 
AND the  Great British Bake Off just won best competitive show or something like that on British TV.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on February 01, 2016, 11:06:41 AM
Are any of you watching Mercy Street? It's set beyond the front lines of the Civil War in the chaotic world of the Mansion House Hospital in Union-occupied Alexandria, Virginia. See more at http://www.pbs.org/mercy-street/home/

I haven't watched it yet but have recorded the episodes.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on February 07, 2016, 09:45:21 AM
Do you get Vera in the US? The series are based on Ann Cleeves' books, about a police detective in Northumberland. Brenda Blethyn places her. A new series has just started here and the first one was fab - another one tonight, plus we have Call the Midwife back - thank goodness for hard drive recorders, as all the best stuff is usually on a Friday or a Sunday night at the moment. Ann Cleeves is also the author of the Shetland police books being dramatised on Friday nights - the wonderful Douglas Henshall plays Jimmy Perez, the main detective, and this new series is much better than the last one, I think. Madeleine and I are hooked.

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on February 07, 2016, 01:54:05 PM
so glad to hear the Mid-wife series is back with another set - here in my area Friday is mostly in-depth news - Sunday night is the big non-stop night - Saturday has a couple of new sets to a series but mostly repeats now - and so if you missed for instance Downton on Sunday the following Saturday it repeats - there is another run of the Father Brown series and the new show each week is Doc Martin and a new Doctor Who with Peter Capaldi. I do like the Doctor Blake mysteries and they started up with a new set late on Sunday night.

Have you noticed Downton seems almost like same old same old - I guess no fireworks since it is winding down - even this roo ha ha over the hospital is tame and I am tired of seeing Mary find love - this guy who drives autos is good looking but looks more like he walks in a cloud - no substance - I sure like the guy who she had the muck fight with when the pigs first arrived and who helped her get out of the relationship with Tony.

Edith is looking prettier with each show. Looks like she has really come into her own doing it her way.

Carson being married seems to have taken the air out of his tires -

Oh and it is so obvious with Mrs. Patmore she wants to be married - I'm betting on the inspector rather than Mr. Mason - Daisy is annoyed over her attention to Mr. Mason but I think she will have a suitor in Andrew.

Does Mr. Barrow finally get a break at kindness teaching Andrew how to read do you think - what a tortured soul who cannot feel OK within his own skin.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on February 07, 2016, 02:42:04 PM
My lips are sealed Barb  :D
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on February 08, 2016, 08:52:25 AM
I hope that someone at some point before the end will shut Daisy up.. She is acting like a Queen of some sort.. and how Maggie Smith puts up with that snot of a ladies maid is beyond me.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on February 08, 2016, 12:25:36 PM
Mr. Barrow has feelings!!!!! Amazing!

Last night, Mrs. Patmore talked about her house being ready and that a niece (I think) would be living with her.
I think Daisy is more than a wee bit jealous - and is blaming the wrong person. 

Wonder how long the new Mrs. Carson will let him get away with his "man of the house" routine? 
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on February 08, 2016, 01:53:51 PM
I think it is more than jealous - if Mrs. Patmore moves in than all Daisy's dreams go out the window - she has been educating herself to take over the farm as Mr. Mason ages - not sure how it works legally but when he was on the old farm I think the plan was she would inherit the farm not realizing the farm is actually a long held tenant arrangement and so I do not know where that puts Daisy's future Mrs. Patmore or not...
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on February 08, 2016, 02:04:12 PM
Good point, Barb. 
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on February 09, 2016, 09:23:12 AM
Yes, I id remember Daisy  being told by him, that she would inherit.. just the writer must have decided to complicate the story a bit.. I think Edith is looking lovely finally.. Now of course Mary is getting nosy about Marigold. Mary is written as the most self centered person in creation.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on February 22, 2016, 12:01:08 PM
Well they are sure stretching Downton - here next Sunday will be a repeat of the entire 8th season with the final episode the first Sunday in March - I believe it is March 6 - so we finally have Mary married and she sure was filled with venom towards Edith and that was quite a speech Edith had when she returned unexpectedly for Mary's wedding.

The scene of Thomas in the Tub was right out of the death of Tchaikovsky - and wow Carson is turning into a real grump.

Lovely the tea at Mrs. Patmore's B&B - and hilarious the gossip columnist being Spratt -

I was glad to see Maggie Smith back - I was concerned that her leaving for France was her exit - I bet it was before they decided to end the entire show.

With Mary married that leaves Anna unemployed just in time for her journey into motherhood -

Mrs. Patmore bringing up Rose's name I wonder if she and her husband with make a visit during the last segment -

We shall see what we shall see with Edith and my guess is that Carson retires and Thomas takes on the role with a very very slim staff.

Now that we know there is no farm to inherit there is still the question of what happens to Daisy.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on February 23, 2016, 09:06:38 AM
Since I am always a week behind, I can see where next week will be fun. Mary changed her mind??  and I do so want Edith to be happy.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Flavia on February 25, 2016, 11:30:52 AM
Mary without a maid just because she is married,  I don't think so.  Best News!! Granchester is coming back on Easter Sunday.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on February 25, 2016, 12:19:27 PM
Hi Xine48 - welcome - have not seen your posts here in the PBS discussion - you could be right since Mary does not move - I forgot that - I am so used to thinking marriage moves moving to another house - well the wrap up should be interesting - we never do get into the 30s with yet another war but the end of the 'country houses' as they seem to be referred to in England is well under way and I wonder how much the story will show the continuation of fewer folks in service. Julius Fellows sure did a great job of keeping us guessing about something through out the entire production hasn't he.

Good news about Grantchester starting up again. 
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Flavia on February 25, 2016, 07:30:05 PM
I  have not been here before. I am one of the Latin students and I was just wandering about this morning.  I love Masterpiece (except for a few such as, Mr. Selfridge) and I adore Downton Abbey.  I will miss it terribly.  I have loved Julian fellows since he was the next door neighbor, Lord Killwillie, on Monarch of the Glen.  I hope he will do another series for Masterpiece.  One of my favorite scenes last week is when they found out that Bertie was a Marquis, Robert said, "Golly Gumdrops!"
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on February 25, 2016, 09:58:32 PM
hahaha yes, that was fun to hear - golly gumdrops - it was a new one on me - do not think I ever heard that one.

Glad you're exploring - once you start posting regularly it is amazing how quickly the other posters feel they know you as one of the gang. The Library has someone posting every day and the Mystery is also quite active.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on February 26, 2016, 10:48:08 AM
Welcome, Xine48! We're glad to have you join our PBS group. While I'm looking forward to seeing the last Downton Abbey episode, it will be difficult to let the series go  :(

Thanks for alerting us to the new Grantchester.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on March 01, 2016, 10:32:43 AM
YAY for Mark Rylance (Cromwell in  Wolf Hall) for getting an Oscar he deserved for Wolf Hall, but for Bridge of Spies. What a gracious kind humble man. Every one of the Youtubes on him and his speeches show who and what he is.

HOORAY!

Nice guys don't always finish last!

In news of Wolf Hall, in quite a long interview I saw recently in the Tower of London he said they all would like to do Hilary Mantel's new book when she finishes but that she had become taken with the characters as the Wolf Hall productions had fleshed them out and it was taking her longer to get back into her own vibe of creativity as she envisioned in her book which I thought was interesting.

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on March 03, 2016, 08:28:44 AM
Just one more episode to go at Downton. I will miss them a lot. Love the period settings and the beautiful countryside as well as the actors.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on March 03, 2016, 10:42:28 AM
Yes, it's been an interesting series, Steph. I'll miss a lot of the characters/actors.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on March 04, 2016, 08:20:20 AM
I put the Grantchester?? series on my netflix requests, but will also check out my Amazon Prime.. People on here seem to like it and I am going to need a new thing to watch.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on March 05, 2016, 09:00:03 AM
We are just starting a new series of Grantchester here Steph - it's something my daughter and I look forward to every Wednesday night.

We've just finished the latest series of Shetland, which was excellent, though we need the subtitles on and we live in Scotland - the Shetland accent is something else.

At the moment, our other favourite thing is The Night Manager (based on John Le Carre's book), which is so far absolutely outstanding. Tom Hiddleston in the title role, Hugh Laurie brilliant as a public school educated, hard as nails arms dealer, Olivia Coleman as the Intelligence Officer persuading Hiddleston's character to infiltrate Laurie's empire. Fabulous scenery too - already been in Zermatt, Greece (I think!), London and Cairo.

In between and for light relief, we have numerous recorded episodes of Father Brown :-)

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on March 05, 2016, 12:09:48 PM
Thanks for alerting us to The Night Manager, Rosemary. It will be interesting to see Hugh Laurie in that role. I see that it premieres in the U.S. on Tuesday, April 19 at 10/9c on AMC.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on March 06, 2016, 10:45:07 AM
Zermatt,,, oh me, one of my very favorite places on earth. We visited it many many years ago and were enchanted by the cog railroad and walking everywhere. The beautiful church in the center of town and the climbers buried there. Went up a smaller version of the Matterhorn to see it better and I just checked and there I am.. standing tall with the Matterhorn far far in back of me.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester, Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on March 07, 2016, 11:57:25 AM
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiececlassic.jpg) 
See the 2015-2016 MASTERPIECE schedule (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html)

Let's talk about PBS programs that we enjoy.

DISCUSSING NOW
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/wallander/Wallander4.jpg)
Wallander Season 4 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/wallander/)
May 8-22, 2016

Kenneth Branagh returns as Inspector Kurt Wallander in the Swedish sleuth’s farewell episodes, bringing the beloved, Emmy®-nominated series to a poignant end. Neither carnage, corruption, or terrifying lapses of memory can keep this brooding detective from cracking cases. In the final mysteries, Branagh gives a heartbreaking performance of a gritty cop starting to lose his grip. The series is based on the novels by Henning Mankell.

ALREADY DISCUSSED
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiece_2015/Grantchester.jpg)
Grantchester Season 2 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/grantchester/)
March 27 - May 1, 2016

“As a priest, isn’t everything our business?” asks Reverend Sidney Chambers as he
 gets to the bottom of another baffling murder around the placid village of Grantchester. James Norton stars as the handsome, jazz-loving vicar, with Robson Green as his law-enforcement ally, Inspector Geordie Keating. The series is based on the acclaimed novels by James Runcie.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/downton6.jpg)
Downton Abbey Season 6 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey)
January 3- March 6, 2016

Rejoin this Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning drama for a sixth and final season.


(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/sherlock.jpg)
Sherlock - The Abominable Bride (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/episode/sherlock-the-abominable-bride/)
January 1; repeated on January 10, 2016

Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the acclaimed modern retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories. But now, our heroes find themselves in 1890s London.


Discussion Leaders:  JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net) and marcie (marciei@aol.com)



I just knew that Thomas was going to end up as butler - and wow Lady Edith caught the brass ring - I was glad they brought back Rose and her husband - she did have a maturity about her that was probably as a result of her playing other important roles since her regular appearance on Downton last year.

The relationship between Mary and her husband never seemed as real as the dialogue suggested - somehow even though they will make lots and lots of money, having at first a dealership and then even if they make cars does not have the same panache as owning land - we really know very little about him except he is good looking - we do not know about his family or where he went to school or if he had other friends in addition to the friend who died in the crash - I wouldn't be surprised if Julian Fellows had to rush through his character in order to start the wrap up to series - that rush really was evident the last two episodes which included Mary's wedding.

Evidently there is one more being saved for next Christmas - everyone is wrapped up with most either hinting at a twosome or the twosome was included in the final episodes. 
- Barb
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on March 07, 2016, 08:57:30 PM
Yes, Downton Abbey ended with almost everyone finding a mate. Anyway, I thought it was a satisfying end to the series.

You're right,  Barbara, we don't know much about Mary's new husband. I don't see much chemistry between them though, as you say, the dialog is there.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on March 08, 2016, 08:48:26 AM
I saw the man who plays the new husband in something a while back. Very good looking man indeed, but they left his past a blank..
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on March 08, 2016, 11:25:24 AM
The actor, Matthew Goode, was in Tom Ford's film, The Single Man, with Colin Firth. See the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1315981/  He also played the part of Charles Ryder in the 2008 version of Brideshead Revisited.

His films include Chasing Liberty (2004), Match Point (2005), Imagine Me and You (2006), Brideshead Revisited (2008), Watchmen (2009), A Single Man (2009), Leap Year (2010), Stoker (2013) and The Imitation Game (2014).

He is 37 and has 3 children with his girlfriend, Sophie Dymoke.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on March 09, 2016, 08:32:22 AM
The Imitation Game,,, I knew I had seen him somewhere. and I dont watch that many movies.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Downton Abbey and Sherlock and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on March 09, 2016, 05:04:07 PM
Wow - I really think we need to know this - The work that is done to make this the site we have grown to trust and love needs to be told - we should not take for granted the volunteer effort by those who protect us from behind the scenes.

Message this morning from Ginny, Administrator...
Quote
I came in, tho, to tell you what Marcie has done which has made such a HUGE difference to those who have to go after the spammers. She's incorporated a captcha thing which forces the bot trying to register to choose photos in response to a text question or something, it's brilliant.

Since the day she put it up there has not  been one more spammer@!!!!!!  NOT ONE! It's a miracle to come in here and not see on the top left hand of the page the numbers of "people" waiting to be hand checked. And if you would skip a day it would take forever to clear them. And on holidays it was a nightmare.

Getting rid of these scumbags is a tiring job. They sometimes sneaked in anyhow and Jane has been patiently winnowing them out. So great is the difference that the check for Spammers thing no longer comes up and I can't see how many we have manually removed but it was something like 248,000 or something. Jane or Marcie may know how to access that check screen, I don't, and quite frankly I hope I never see it again, but isn't that marvelous?

A lot safer for us, too, since the bots can't see the emails unless they are registered.

So hooray for Marcie for doing this and for Marcie and Jane ALL THESE YEARS manually getting rid of these people who need a job instead of trying to cheat us all. The last bit was from Russia I think?

Jane, Administrator
Quote
Incredible...but the number now is:   

266852 Spammers blocked up until today
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on March 09, 2016, 05:43:41 PM
Thank you Marcie and Jane, you are heroes!

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on March 16, 2016, 07:06:47 AM
Looks like I am going to have to find the first season of Grantchester and cat.ch up. It reminds me of Chesterton's  Father Brown series. Runcie is the son of the former Archbiship of Canterbury, Robert Runcie. I am sure that provided some interesting background for his stories.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on March 16, 2016, 01:06:02 PM
Very very different than Father Brown  :-X
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on March 20, 2016, 06:59:36 AM
Oh yes, Father Brown & Grantchester are indeed different.  Daughter & I watch Father Brown for light relief, Grantchester less so - but we enjoy both.

The Grantchester episode we have just seen was quite unlike the others and really rather odd. Having been to two talks by James Runcie (who is an excellent speaker), I get the impression he decided the best and least painful thing was simply to hand the characters over to the TV people - he hasn't had a huge amount to do with the adaptation, although he likes it.

The thing I am finding a tad strange at the moment is that Happy Valley and Grantchester have both been running new series - I haven't seen Happy Valley, but (as is clear from the trailers, and also from the immense amount of publicity it's had - this is the second series and it's won just about every award there is) in it James Norton plays a psychopathic killer - a bit of a contrast to Sidney the priest!

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on March 29, 2016, 01:23:51 PM
I have to say I have "discovered" (probably the last person on earth to do so) Amazon Prime Streaming. They have been telling me gently as long as I've had Prime that do I realize  I can get free movies, too.  But I never had Wifi.   And now that I do have it, I only turn it on for my grandson and his games.

The other day I wondered what happened to the Fabulous Beekman Boys and looked them up. They are on the Cooking Channel now and I wondered how they were doing (a gay couple, a doctor and a writer, trying to make a go of it on a farm in New England).  Well anyway, it turns out there are 3 seasons but you can't get but the first one on DVD, and I have that.  But Amazon has them. So I watched one episode from season 2 and was hooked.

THEN I saw The Great British Bake Off!!!! as a choice!  I couldn't believe it. AND to make it even better, it's free. AND to make it even better once you start watching one on WiFi, apparently all of them download. So I can now watch ("Season 2") (the one that filmed in 2014) with Diana and Iain, anywhere with any service, it does not have to be WiFi, and it works everywhere with my own Verizon, or any  WiFi, which is absolutely marvelous.

That show is a guilty pleasure. I absolutely love it and it's up for another award soon, the BAFTA? I hope it wins.

AND if that weren't enough, it remembers where you were, and asks if you'd like to resume or which episode you'd like or  whatever. Grantchester's on there, too as are seasons 1-5 of Downton.

I feel as if I've discovered the wheel! I really am enjoying that show and Amazon Prime being free and all the streaming. I didn't know how to do it and it could not be easier. You just download the player, that's IT. From then on it gives you a wide  menu/ variety of things you might or might not want to see. At no cost. If you do pay for a movie it apparently is yours forever and stays in your "Library." I haven't done that yet.

That program makes me happy all day. hahahaa
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on March 29, 2016, 02:34:34 PM
Have fun with Prime, Ginny. I love it. Don't forget to check out the Amazon exclusive shows. Bosch and Mozart in the Park are very popular. I watch Alpha House which stars John Goodman among others. Wanda Sykes shows up now and again, and Penn Jillette and Bill Murray have done several cameos.

I watch Grantchester on Sunday night. It was okay, and I will probably continue watching it, but it didn't excite me.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on March 29, 2016, 03:15:46 PM
One of the funniest books I ever read was the "100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared" well they made it into a move and it is on Amazon Prime - they did a great job - they cut just a few bits of all the famous people he met but it is a wonderful adaptation - a Swedish film Company made the movie but come to think of it the book was written by a Swedish author -

And best I can download some current movies and yes, pay to see them but only $3.95 or tops $5.95 and some are already free with Prime - I wanted to see Room and now I can from the comfort of my own home...it is like for years renting movies but we had to go to the video store - now it is right at our finger tips.

So many movies available free with Prime and another, that is laugh out loud and its free is an Irish movie that is a riot - the characters could easily be a bunch of Irish Leprechauns where as they are a small village of folks all about a winning lottery ticket (the pot of gold) - the movie is entitled Waking Ned Devine
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on March 30, 2016, 12:20:27 AM
Frybabe, this first episode of the season didn't grab me as much as the previous season. I am hoping it will get better.

I wonder what's wrong with his policeman friend?? He is not acting like himself. He let/encouraged his officer to force water down the young suspect's throat. Grrrrr...
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on March 30, 2016, 01:46:07 AM
Yes, he seems to be finding the worst in people so that we now have a pair of opposites - in fact the difference as I see it is not with Sidney as much as the change in Inspector Geordie that made the program less enjoyable and flat as compared to when they together fought the good fight.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on March 30, 2016, 06:00:46 AM
I haven't seen the previous season yet, though I think it is now up on Amazon Prime. Yes, I did make note of the water incident; it was unexpected. It reminded me of the waterboarding argument.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on March 30, 2016, 07:55:11 AM
And for fans  of Wolf Hall it's up for  4 BAFTAS, for  best show, for best actor, (Mark Rylance), for best actress ( Claire Foy) and two supporting actors, the man who played Thomas More, and ...who was the fourth?   

I am glad to see Claire Foy get a nomination, she seemed to be overlooked in the first awards, there were so many stellar performances.  It's also on Amazon.   We probably should read it here that was suggested a long time ago maybe we should've done it, especially with Mantel's new book in the works.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on March 30, 2016, 01:16:43 PM
I do love my Amazon Prime and I truly adore Mozart.. Also found a copy of the original book and it is coming to me.. Can hardly wait.. Hmm, British bakeoff,, will look for it.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on March 31, 2016, 07:47:42 PM
Yes, it's the change in the inspector that is worrisome. The first scene with them swimming in the river was playful, then the "bad inspector" made an appearance :-(
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on April 04, 2016, 10:33:26 AM
Oh JOY.. Call the Midwife is back last night.. The date mentioned was 1961, but I was startled since I had my first baby in 1961 and it was nothing like what they seemed to do.. Still I do love it.. Trixie has long hair..whew.. and they have new uniforms and are exercising.. and the Mother Superior does not seem happy with their exercise outfits. Oh I do love this show.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Flavia on April 04, 2016, 02:52:25 PM
as for Granchester, Geordie, the policeman was shot and barely survived at the end of last season. It has changed him, as it should have. the waterboarding incident was awful. i hope he comes back, but I have no problem with characters changing according to circumstances. It is not a britcom after all. Father Brown is light and fun, a whole different ball of wax. I love it also. I am not so sure about the new copper, though.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: nlhome on April 04, 2016, 07:13:33 PM
Yes, I was glad to see Call the Midwife and Grantchester also. I turned it off before Mr. Selfridge, though. I never did get into that program.

Our PBS station has been broadcasting Midsomer Murders this winter (it still feels like winter here in Wisconsin, by the way) and I have found those episodes interesting.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on April 05, 2016, 08:45:27 AM
I am going to look in Amazon Prime for the Midsommer murders, our PBS never carried it.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on April 05, 2016, 11:05:14 AM
Call the Midwife had a very interesting and emotional episode. The nurses are definitely embracing the 1960s!

Xine48, you're right that the shooting  has deeply affected the policeman and could explain the change in him, though now I'm wondering if he is ill also.
I thought that this episode was better than the last.

I've enjoyed Midsommer Murders in the past.



Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on April 05, 2016, 11:42:24 AM
I didn't know but the Granchester stories are books!!! There is a group here reading them as they watch the TV versions - after looking on Amazon evidently there are 5 books to the series and 4 of them can be downloaded on kindle but they are not cheap at $35.50 for the set of 4.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on April 05, 2016, 08:38:49 PM
I found this info on wikipedia, Barbara

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grantchester_Mysteries

"The books in the series include:

    Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death (2012)
    Sidney Chambers and The Perils of the Night (2013)
    Sidney Chambers and The Problem of Evil (2014)
    Sidney Chambers and The Forgiveness of Sins (2015)

A total of six books are planned. The series was inspired by James Runcie's father, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie.

In 2014, some of the The Grantchester Mysteries short stories were turned into an ITV drama titled Grantchester. Filmed on location in Grantchester, Cambridge, and London, the initial six-part series was shown in the UK in Autumn 2014. A second series was released in 2016."

I just checked and my public library has the four Runcie books. The first book is actually six short standalone mysteries.

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on April 05, 2016, 11:16:35 PM
Thanks marcie - from the Amazon page it appears the next novel will be released in June and it is called "Sidney Chambers and The Dangers of Temptation"
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on April 18, 2016, 08:55:42 AM
Last nights Call the Midwife directly addressed unwed pregnancy and home abortions in 1961 last night. I cried watching the poor schoolteacher deprived of what she did and shunned. I dont remember anything that late in the US, but maybe it was..
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on April 18, 2016, 11:29:07 AM
I recorded Call the Midwife, Steph. I'll look at it this week. The Grantchester had the vicar and the policeman going head to head over the death penalty.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on April 18, 2016, 12:05:50 PM
It was a very moving episode Steph.

 I think it would have happened in the early 60s, especially in a very traditional part of London (as the Docklands then were - of course they are now full of extremely wealthy bankers). Even in the suburbs, I clearly recall my mother telling me that if I ever got pregnant out of wedlock she would 'throw me out' - though I doubt she remembers that now, and she certainly wouldn't expect me to say it to my daughters.  I think there was a huge awareness of 'what other people thought' and the shame of it all. The film Vera Drake also shows what things were like for women then - that is of course set in 1950 but I don't think things changed much for some time. Also the excellent but harrowing film Oranges and Sunshine shows how babies and little children were being sent to Australia - often to horrific situations - right up until the 1970s, and largely because their mothers were not married. And The Magdalene Sisters is about how awful it was in Ireland too - and that is set in 1964 I think.

Of course many 'illegitimate' children were brought up by grannies, married sisters, etc of the mothers as if they were their own children - it is only now, when so many people are keen to research their family histories, that these stories are coming out.

I think it does show that, for all the harping on about how much better things were in the past, many things were in fact a whole lot worse. As I've mentioned somewhere, we are currently watching Mad Men, and goodness me, no woman would put up with that kind of behaviour now - but it was 'normal' then.

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on April 19, 2016, 08:37:04 AM
I would guess it bothers me so much because i had a friend who had an abortion at 17.. I went with her and that was a true nightmare to me.. Then she turned around and got pregnant again by the same boy.. but that time, she told her parents and they had arranged for her to go to a Florence Crittendon home, but the boy married her. Did not even last long enough for the child to be born, but at least the parents seemed happy. Then I was involved in the Delaware legislatures involvement in abortion. Several people I knew testified.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: nlhome on April 19, 2016, 05:10:11 PM
I remember the stigma of an unmarried woman becoming pregnant in the 1960's in my community; girls were sent away. Some were married, way to young, and never finished high school. I'm sure there were abortions, just not talked about in my hearing. I remember several of my relatives counting the months after I got married in 1968, as that also was a shameful thing, to have a baby less than 9 months after marriage (13 years for me - I always wondered if they were relieved or disappointed.)  I remember girls in the dormitory in college who had to leave because they were pregnant. I remember in the early 1970's, though, a young cousin who had an abortion, paid for by her very Catholic parents.

I watched that Call the Midwives episode with great sadness. It seemed all too real.

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Steph on April 20, 2016, 08:40:01 AM
The great thing about BBC is their honesty with this sort of series. In the US, there would have been a quick save and much love as boyfriend came to save her.. Instead there was the blunt honesty that she got to face it all alone..
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Grantchester and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on April 20, 2016, 12:23:08 PM
Yes, it is all the wonderful legacy of films like Cathy Come Home - I remember my mother being hugely affected by it, and telling me that people only really became aware of homelessness and the effects it could have after that groundbreaking film.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 09, 2016, 11:19:20 AM
I really enjoyed the Wallander last night. There was so much atmosphere added "on location" in South Africa. Branagh was excellent providing emotion and insight in the silences especially.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on May 09, 2016, 12:29:29 PM
Yes what struck me was the empty space shown in the landscape of South Africa that reminded me of the empty space shown in the snow covered landscape of Sweden.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on May 09, 2016, 01:00:37 PM
I read the book. Wallander didn't have as big a role in the book as in the TV presentation. Right off the bat they changed the real estate agent to someone looking for textbooks or some such. The real estate agent was in Sweden and all or most of the assassin's training was done there as well. Wallander investigated that side of the story, eventually coordinating with the South African police when evidence poined in that direction. I do not remember that he ever went there. Much of the action was, however, in South Africa. The book is excellent. I just didn't care for the the major changes in the TV production. Never finished watching it. I may watch it another time when I get over my snit over the changes.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on May 10, 2016, 07:30:35 AM
What a lovely thing this morning to look in and see that  Wolf Hall has won the 2016 BAFTA  British Award for Best Drama of the year. Mark Rylance has won Best Actor,  apparently he was the first one to get an award,  and the Great  British Bake -Off has won Best in its category!  I am one happy camper today.   
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 16, 2016, 11:24:38 AM
Frybabe, I understand the disappointment of seeing major changes in a tv/film version to a book you enjoyed. Sometimes I'm able to think of it as a similar story and not an adaptation.

What's happening with Wallander in this last episode. His father died of Alzheimer's disease and it seems that Wallander is afraid he's losing his memory. I guess we'll find out what's  happening in the next, final episode.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 16, 2016, 11:25:44 AM
Ginny, isn't it wonderful when shows and actors we admire are recognized with awards.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on May 16, 2016, 06:26:08 PM
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiececlassic.jpg) 
See the 2015-2016 MASTERPIECE schedule (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html)

Let's talk about PBS programs that we enjoy.

UPCOMING
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/endeavour3.jpg)
Endeavour Season 3 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/endeavour/)
June 19 - July 10, 2016

Shaun Evans (The Take, The Last Weekend, Silk), charms audiences with his portrayal of the early career of cerebral and solitary Detective Constable Morse in Endeavour, written by Inspector Lewis creator and Inspector Morse writer Russell Lewis.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/lewis8.jpg)
Lewis Season 8 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/lewis/)
August 7-21, 2016

Kevin Whately stars as Inspector Lewis, the former working-class foil to the erudite Detective Inspector Morse. Together with his cool, cerebral partner Detective Sergeant Hathaway (Laurence Fox), Lewis tackles murder and mayhem in the seemingly-perfect academic haven of Oxford.

ALREADY DISCUSSED
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/wallander/Wallander4.jpg)
Wallander Season 4 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/wallander/)
May 8-22, 2016

Kenneth Branagh returns as Inspector Kurt Wallander in the Swedish sleuth’s farewell episodes, bringing the beloved, Emmy®-nominated series to a poignant end. Neither carnage, corruption, or terrifying lapses of memory can keep this brooding detective from cracking cases. In the final mysteries, Branagh gives a heartbreaking performance of a gritty cop starting to lose his grip. The series is based on the novels by Henning Mankell.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiece_2015/Grantchester.jpg)
Grantchester Season 2 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/grantchester/)
March 27 - May 1, 2016

“As a priest, isn’t everything our business?” asks Reverend Sidney Chambers as he
 gets to the bottom of another baffling murder around the placid village of Grantchester. James Norton stars as the handsome, jazz-loving vicar, with Robson Green as his law-enforcement ally, Inspector Geordie Keating. The series is based on the acclaimed novels by James Runcie.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/downton6.jpg)
Downton Abbey Season 6 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey)
January 3- March 6, 2016

Rejoin this Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning drama for a sixth and final season.


(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/sherlock.jpg)
Sherlock - The Abominable Bride (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/episode/sherlock-the-abominable-bride/)
January 1; repeated on January 10, 2016

Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the acclaimed modern retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories. But now, our heroes find themselves in 1890s London.


Discussion Leaders:  JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net) and marcie (marciei@aol.com)





I enjoyed the last episode which, although given a different name for the TV production, was taken from The Troubled Man. I am not sure that Alzheimer's was ever directly mentioned in the books, but I do remember him going through finding out and coming to grips with his diabetes in the later books. As for the TV production, the only really big thing I noticed is that they didn't have the dog set loose on the them which resulted in the dog being shot. Of course, I would not have expected them to put that in the TV production.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on May 16, 2016, 07:15:30 PM
Just got my latest Masterpiece email. We are going to be treated with another season of Endeavor in mid-June.

Re Wallander: Okay, somehow I got something backward. I thought the credits said that the episode we just watched was called A Lesson in Love and was taken from The Troubled Man. I checked out IMDB and that is not so. The Troubled Man is the next episode.  Now I am wondering which of the books A Lesson in Love came from because I know I read it.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 17, 2016, 11:10:50 AM
Frybabe, a review of the episode, A LESSON IN LOVE, says that "It’s a prelude to the final episode of Wallander and includes some threads plucked from Mankell’s last Wallander novel, The Troubled Man." So you're right about that.

The review: http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2016/05/wallander-402-qa-lesson-in-loveq-episode-review

I enjoyed the return in this episode of Baiba Liepa, Wallander’s Latvian love interest from “The Dogs of Riga” in Series 3. It's surprising to me how many incidental mentions of Latvia there are in various tv shows. I'm always alert for that because my mom was born and grew up in Riga, Latvia. :-)

Yes, Endeavor is coming back next on PBS, followed by the final season of Inspector Lewis! I'm looking forward to them.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on May 17, 2016, 03:34:20 PM
Marcie, Dogs of Riga is one of my favorites.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 18, 2016, 11:20:37 AM
Yes, I read Dogs of Riga too, Frybabe. I agree, it's a good one.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on May 19, 2016, 06:01:41 PM
I'm also looking forward to both of those series.  A year or so ago Netflix carried a Swedish series of Wallander with English captions.  I liked it much better than this English version.  In the Swedish version, Wallander's character was not so full of personal problems but dealt more with the story.  I really enjoyed it despite the captions.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 19, 2016, 09:17:33 PM
The Swedish series sounds good, FlaJean. There is quite an interesting interview with the "Swedish Wallander" at http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jun/20/krister-henriksson-on-leaving-wallander

There is a trailer for season/series 1 of the Swedish version at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM7NKgSGsx4
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on May 20, 2016, 05:52:36 AM
I think YouTube has or had the Swedish version posted. I saw one or two of them a couple of years ago. They were pretty good.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 20, 2016, 11:37:21 AM
Good to know, Frybabe. I'll check later.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on May 20, 2016, 01:01:37 PM
Marcie, that was an interesting interview with the Swedish Wallender.  The author of the Wallender books, Henning Mankell, died last year of cancer---so sad.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 20, 2016, 06:42:04 PM
That is sad that Mankell died of cancer at age 67.

THe following bio information is from wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henning_Mankell

In January 2014, Mankell announced that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer and throat cancer. In May 2014, he reported that treatments had worked well and he was getting better.

He wrote a series of articles inspired by his wife Eva [fourth wife. Eva was the daughter of Ingmar Berman], describing his situation, how it felt to be diagnosed, how it felt to be supported, how it felt to wait, and after his first chemotherapy at Sahlgrenska University Hospital about the importance of cancer research. Three weeks before his death he wrote about what happens to people’s identity when they are stricken by a serious illness. His last post was published posthumously 6 October.

On 5 October 2015, Mankell died at the age of 67, almost three years after having been diagnosed
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 23, 2016, 11:14:36 AM
That was a sad Wallander finale but I think it was very well done. Good acting from everyone.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on May 23, 2016, 12:36:04 PM
I agree Marcie. I thought it was excellent - a sad fairwell to an excellent series, both book and TV production.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on May 23, 2016, 01:31:18 PM
Yes, sad - it reminded me of how much of our lives are spent in doing what we think is a benefit to others and the affect of our work slips away just as Wallander's  memory will slip away - it also gave us a hopeful message knowing that his daughter wants to take care of him and for some years while he is still functioning they will grow closer - he also gave her husband what every man wants to hear - approval from an earlier generation of men, especially a father figure - the man who drowned himself actually had an easier death compared to what Wallander faces, rather than lingering as Wallander will in this state of increasing mental isolation.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 23, 2016, 10:52:53 PM
Frybabe, the final episode also seemed to me to be a farewell to Henning Mankell too. Instead of the cancer that Mankell had to deal with, Wallander is faced with Alzheimer's but both were diagnosed and given a limited timeframe.

Barb, yes, there is lots to ponder there. I agree about the hopeful message that Wallander's daughter provides.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on May 24, 2016, 06:50:23 AM
I was just watching the online clips of Kenneth Branagh and Henning Mankell on PBS. They are worth a watch. Branagh is rather elequent, I think, and I liked what Mankell had to say about ending the series. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch-online/shorts/wallander-s4-saying-goodbye/?elqTrackId=B202631CDEA71C0BCD4ACBA3C8B5FD7D&elq=71585eec57a4443d8367ffcc577a11b0&elqaid=3396&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=1702

There are a few others, so follow the links below this one.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on May 24, 2016, 11:34:10 AM
Thanks for the links, Frybabe. I'll check them out.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Wallander and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on May 24, 2016, 09:03:33 PM
Thanks for the links, Frybabe, they were interesting.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on June 19, 2016, 02:26:36 PM
I hope I don't forget to watch Endeavour tonight.
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on June 19, 2016, 09:22:43 PM
Thanks for the reminder, Jean. Yes, the third season of Endeavour starts tonight!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on June 19, 2016, 10:50:52 PM
And of course I had my head in a book and wasn't watching the time. Rats!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on June 20, 2016, 03:16:15 AM
thought the story of this new season was choppy - the chief says forget the past - evidently he did go to jail and they closed the case simply saying the one guy that shot Thursday and was shot by the woman, the grown daughter of I think it was the Doctor for the boys and then the other police come and blamed it on Morse - Thursday is back at his job and tells Morse it is about keeping the community safe not the politics inside the police force. The crime also has several killed that is sort of a shadow story to Morse's experience. Lots of great shots with lighting not usually seen in these stories however, to me the story was not smooth and I got lost a few times.

The Tunnel started tonight as well - interesting - the after bit that explained it was a take off on a European TV series between I think Norway and Sweden or maybe Sweden and Finland - do not remember but there was a slightly different slant to the original and explained was that all the shows were exploring a current political problem in Europe.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on June 20, 2016, 05:10:56 PM
I was disappointed in Endeavor.  I also thought the story was choppy and confusing.  I looked at the following show "The Tunnel".  Kind of gruesome but also some interesting characters.  The conversation after the episode by actors and producer explained somewhat the idea behind the series and decided me to give it another look next week.
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: JeanneP on June 20, 2016, 06:03:51 PM
I was glad to see "Endeavour" come back on last night. Looks like a start of a new Season. I did not see the end of the last one and so had no idea why he went to prison.

According to our station it looks like the are going to have the last season of Inspector Lewis on next week. Wonder if the Laurence Fox will be back as his Sgt. I thought I once read he was leaving. Really like him

No I was wrong thinking Lewis next week. It doesn't start until August.. Look forward to it.

Just hope they don't have the Pledge running again at the same time.  We have it on here at the moment but after 3 weeks they are not doing every show.. Spoils it for me when it is the Series shows. 5 min. on and five min. talking
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: mabel1015j on June 21, 2016, 08:02:31 PM
Some of you are on the "classics" site or just like PBS......They are doing a 3 part series on Greece. On our station it starts tonight at 9:00.

Jean
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on June 22, 2016, 11:07:21 AM
Yes, Endeavour was complicated. We were introduced to the main characters in the episode in a fragmented way. Lots of diversions to keep us guessing. I do like the Endeavour character and DI Thursday.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on June 22, 2016, 12:35:25 PM
Thanks, Jean, but the reminder came a bit late. I knew it was starting last night. Unfortunately I, once again had my head in a book and didn't even think about the Greed series until I saw your post this morning. Now that is two to catch up on. Our station usually reruns the Masterpiece Theater shows on Saturday. I hope they rerun the 1st Greek program before the next one comes up, otherwise I will have to sit in my not very comfortable computer chair to watch it.

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on June 24, 2016, 04:32:31 PM
OH it's back, it's back, it's BAACK, the Great British Baking Show (as we call it here), the #1 show on British TV, is coming BACK on July 1, but not HERE where I live, we're always a week behind but it IS coming.


"The World's Most Polite Cooking Competition," and winner of every prize there is, is BACK!

See for yourself (if it's on your PBS station) what all the fuss is about. AND it's the most recent one!! 

THANK you, PBS!!  I can't wait. SUCH a day brightener.

But NOT on here! Maybe on that Sunday? I can't see that far ahead in my DVR schedule.

http://www.pbs.org/food (http://www.pbs.org/food)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on June 25, 2016, 07:48:53 AM
OH and there's more! PBS seems to have put in a new (to me) schedule and it shows the local PBS stations, and you can see it by the week, any week,  24 hours a day. I see that the program on the Greeks which they were talking about in the Classics Forum is repeating like mad and the nice thing about the DVR I have is if you can get ONE show you can get them all, it will do it itself, so  Friday morning the Greeks is on at 2 am and now I will have them all, repeat or not.

ALSO I was shocked to see on Dish network that something called 27 from North Carolina which I get, is rerunning Wolf Hall!! So now I can get those, YAY!

AND the Baking Show is definitely running next Friday at 9 pm. Those of you who know how good it is, this is last year's show, so you're in for a treat.

Where is Rosemary Kaye? I would like to hear her opinion of the Extraordinary Collector, Brexit and a lot of other things.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on June 25, 2016, 09:33:43 AM
Wahhhhhhh! My PBS station is not replaying last Sunday's Endeavour tonight. Instead, they are rerunning Grantchester. What is up with that? To make matters worse, I just tried to watch on my computer through the PBS site. It is not at all running smoothly. It looks, however, like I can watch The Greeds first episode on the computer without problems.
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on June 25, 2016, 11:35:36 AM
THose programs sound interesting, Ginny. I'm glad you're going to get them all. Frybabe, when I search my local PBS site for Endeavour, I see several repeats of the first episode. THere was one today on KQED Life: Sat, Jun 25, 2016 -- 2:00 AM
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on June 25, 2016, 03:31:04 PM
Yeayyyy! The the episode of Endeavour ran without much of a glitch this afternoon. I just finished watching it. Not the best, I thought the scenes were very dark, and yes, the story did seem a bit disjointed. Watched the first Greek episode this morning, and thought it only semi-interesting.
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on June 25, 2016, 04:01:47 PM
Frybabe,  I also thought the first episode of "Greeks" was only semi-interesting.  I would have enjoyed seeing more about the archaeological digs and fewer cartoon drawings.   I have been to Santorini and to Crete- and have seen the Palace of Knossos so would have liked more detailed pictures of those areas.
However, it seems that most of these "historical" documentaries fill in time by showing repeats of scenery, people walking, workers repairing buildings (the Parthenon, for example), etc.   "Atmosphere" is fine - but not repeated over and over and over and......zzzzzzz.
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on June 25, 2016, 04:03:27 PM
I'm glad you saw the first episode of Endeavour, Frybabe. I'm going to request the season 2 DVD from my library since I only vaguely remember the last episode during which Morse did something to get himself arrested by that Chief Superintendent Bright. He seems to have sort of apologized in this first of season 3 episode.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on June 27, 2016, 11:58:46 AM
The second episode of Endeavor was better than the first IMO.  I really like the Det. Thursday character, but Endeavor just doesn't seem like a young Morse, especially after watching again the original Morse series on Netflix.  I think the writing and portrayal of young Morse is at fault and not the actor.

I'm looking forward to the final series of Inspector Lewis.  I watched half of The Tunnel but have given up on it, although I find the French female character interesting and unusual.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on June 27, 2016, 12:19:52 PM
I'm like you FlaJean - cannot make heads or tails out of Tunnel - like the two main characters but what his homelife has to do with his job and what her private life has to do with her job except to help define their character - than there is the women and son whisked off to God only knows where - cannot figure out what crime they are solving - one minute I thought it was murder than it is drugs - it is like a string of vignettes tied together by the grayish coloring that is every scene.

I think on Endeavor last season he was young and as the saying goes wet behind the ears capable of emotion where as this season I think he is a bit older, 'seasoned' by his awareness how corrupt the force and how he was jailed to cover police corruption rather than accept the loss of reputation if the truth was made public. His emotions are dulled so that he sees how everything about him can be compromised by another for their benefit. This week was better wasn't it - it flowed a bit better without so many visual special affects - I get the impression this second season we begin to see how Moss became the older bachelor devoted to police work with, except for his music, very little private life and no love interest.

On Saturday night that does not repeat on Sunday we have the Detectorists - a delight - two of the most unlikely looking men, search partners in a small group who using their metal detectors to scour fields hoping to find ancient coins but mostly end up digging up old tin cans and sometimes a really old button.     
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on July 04, 2016, 05:32:38 PM
I just watched the third Endeavour. It was a vast improvement over the other two. Very good program.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: FlaJean on July 04, 2016, 06:06:08 PM
I also thought that was the best Endeavor.  And I watched The Tunnel all the way through.  The first two episodes I only watched halfway through and just gave up on it.  But I wasn't ready to go to bed and I didn't have anything interesting to read so stuck with The Tunnel.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on July 04, 2016, 07:06:22 PM
Agree on Endeavor - been half watching The Tunnel - I still only get bits and pieces - at least now I know were certain people are located and who works with whom - sure does not grab me and if I go out to put on my plate the food I heated in the oven which takes me at least 5 minutes and then come back it is as if I never left.

Still get a kick out of the Detectorists and now the Dr. Blake mysteries from Australia are on a repeat cycle and we finished up with the entire repeat cycle of Doc Martin - looks like Father Brown still has a few new ones - like it for the characters and the scenery but I do not like this inspector compared to either of the other two.

Well Capitol Fourth is on tonight - I usually have it on as background - I do not know about how you perceived war but after Korea I thought that would be the end of it - then Viet Nam and I though surely this is the end of it - but no, it goes on and on and on and on...
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on July 05, 2016, 10:07:53 AM
We have a new (?) PBS station here, at least it's new to me, have you all got the EX one? It's called UNCEX, for North Carolina, I don't know why we're getting it,  and the EX is Explorer and they have some incredible programming.

They are rerunning Wolf Hall which I am delighted about,  as now I can see it on the big screen and Cromwell and Henry are huge, which does make a  difference, and they are rerunning Downton Abbey on Thursdays (which I assume all of the PBS stations are) but they did one after Wolf Hall last night called How to Get Ahead and it was an hour on Cosimo Medici and Florence and it was out of this world, have any of you seen it?

It was like a Viking River Cruise commercial if you like those,  but with an historical subject. Right now they are doing a documentary on sharks and explaining the new concepts of the food chain in the ocean,  and advertising a  Saturday program on Travel adventures, it's wonderfully bracing and exciting.

I started on it because of the new Best British Baking Show (which was so wonderful in the first episode I watched it twice) but this channel is something else, do you all get this EX? Is it new?

Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on July 05, 2016, 11:10:50 AM
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiececlassic.jpg) 
See the 2017 MASTERPIECE schedule (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html)

While we're waiting for the 2017 season of Masterpiece, let's talk about other PBS programs that we enjoy.

CURRENT

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/hollowcrown2016.jpg)
On GREAT PERFORMANCES (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/) Sundays, December 11th, 18th and 25th. Following the international critical success of the four-part miniseries The Hollow Crown in 2013, The Wars of the Roses continues the epic cycle of Shakespeare’s History Plays in three new lavish film adaptations of Henry VI, Parts I and II, and Richard III. Together they comprise a tumultuous medieval spectacle, spanning rebellion in France, the rise and fall of Joan of Arc, the terror of England’s Civil War, and the deceitful dynastic murders culminating in the infamous reign of Richard III. As in The Hollow Crown, The Wars of the Roses features a cast of today’s leading actors in a bravura collection of Shakespearean roles, including Hugh Bonneville, Tom Sturridge, Sophie Okonedo, Ben Miles, Sally Hawkins, Keeley Hawes, Judi Dench and Benedict Cumberbatch as Richard III.

ALREADY DISCUSSED
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/durrells1.jpg)
The Durrells in Corfu (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/durrells-corfu-s1/), Season 1
October 16 - November 20, 2016

Keeley Hawes (Upstairs Downstairs) stars as an intrepid widow who decamps from dreary England to a sun-dappled Greek island with her four recalcitrant children, ages 11 to 21, on this six-part adaptation of Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals and its two sequels.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/poldark2.jpg)
Poldark (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/poldark-s2/), Season 2
October 2 - November 27, 2016

In 18th century Cornwall, times are as tough as the rocky shoreline: unemployment, hunger, and sickness are widespread among the working class, while the wealthy landowners prosper. Only one man dares to defy the status quo.
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/lewis8.jpg)
Lewis Season 8 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/lewis/)
August 7-21, 2016

Kevin Whately stars as Inspector Lewis, the former working-class foil to the erudite Detective Inspector Morse. Together with his cool, cerebral partner Detective Sergeant Hathaway (Laurence Fox), Lewis tackles murder and mayhem in the seemingly-perfect academic haven of Oxford.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/endeavour3.jpg)
Endeavour Season 3 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/endeavour/)
June 19 - July 10, 2016

Shaun Evans (The Take, The Last Weekend, Silk), charms audiences with his portrayal of the early career of cerebral and solitary Detective Constable Morse in Endeavour, written by Inspector Lewis creator and Inspector Morse writer Russell Lewis.
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/wallander/Wallander4.jpg)
Wallander Season 4 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/wallander/)
May 8-22, 2016

Kenneth Branagh returns as Inspector Kurt Wallander in the Swedish sleuth’s farewell episodes, bringing the beloved, Emmy®-nominated series to a poignant end. Neither carnage, corruption, or terrifying lapses of memory can keep this brooding detective from cracking cases. In the final mysteries, Branagh gives a heartbreaking performance of a gritty cop starting to lose his grip. The series is based on the novels by Henning Mankell.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/masterpiece_2015/Grantchester.jpg)
Grantchester Season 2 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/grantchester/)
March 27 - May 1, 2016

“As a priest, isn’t everything our business?” asks Reverend Sidney Chambers as he
 gets to the bottom of another baffling murder around the placid village of Grantchester. James Norton stars as the handsome, jazz-loving vicar, with Robson Green as his law-enforcement ally, Inspector Geordie Keating. The series is based on the acclaimed novels by James Runcie.

(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/downton6.jpg)
Downton Abbey Season 6 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey)
January 3- March 6, 2016

Rejoin this Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning drama for a sixth and final season.


(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/classic_2016/sherlock.jpg)
Sherlock - The Abominable Bride (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/episode/sherlock-the-abominable-bride/)
January 1; repeated on January 10, 2016

Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the acclaimed modern retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories. But now, our heroes find themselves in 1890s London.


Discussion Leaders:  JoanP (jonkie@verizon.net) and marcie (marciei@aol.com)





Ginny we have now 4 stations all part of the local PBS - here the call letters are KLRU - the one is the same station that probably schedules the programs most of the nation sees.

The second station here is all about what I call the Handwork station - cooking, sewing, quilt making, house building, woodwork, gardening, painting (art), with some travel shows thrown in.

Then the third station repeats the Newshour an hour later starting at 7:00, does all kinds of specials and does repeat some of the shows we've seen on the main station however, we have not seen a repeat of Wolf Hall or Downton - we do see on Friday night a movie that a half hour show precedes explaining how the movie was made, what was special about the making of the movie, almost like a class in film making, and we see a lot of history shows as well as, every late night we see a show of what we call country music but today is a combo of country, blue grass, blues, Cajun, rock and Gospel.

The fourth station is in Spanish and they have good shows, some are dubbed American or English shows but mostly movies and sitcoms from Mexico and one from Spain. Their sitcoms are not so much comedy as they remind me of our soaps that are no longer popular as mainstream fare.

They are talking about yet, one more station that will be all science - from outer space to genetics and the intricacies of technology - since we have a huge High Tech community this kind of regular programing would be a plus in addition the city has attracted the medical industry with a new medical school being built on the grounds of UT and Dell medical facilities, also a teaching hospital where the old airport was located.

And so I am thinking the second PBS station you are receiving is probably happening all over the nation where there are good donations to maintain a second station with programing that is scheduled to appeal to local interests. 

The stations that are part of our local PBS is where I spend my TV viewing time so that the big problem for me with cable or U-verse was they only bring in the main station and not the secondary stations. I liked Discovery channel but not enough to miss the secondary stations on KLRU.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on July 08, 2016, 04:43:53 PM
We have DISH, and we get 4 University of North Carolina  PBS channels here in South Carolina, but I think they have more.  We haven't gotten this EX before. I didn't know if it were new or what it was.

This is what they say about it:

UNC-EX is UNC-TV’s Explorer Channel! Available over the air, via cable or satellite, UNC-EX is the best in travel, culture, science, nature, history, and outdoor adventure programming. UNC-EX brings viewers programs that are exhilarating, intriguing, and fun: a public television alternative for adults who seek engaging and stimulating programming. You’ll experience North Carolina and beyond!

It's cool. Last night they did Cairo. It's called Egypt Beyond the Pyramids (which is not a new show and may be on youtube or the History Channel) this one is Cairo Undercover Education. You don't want to watch it if you're an animal rights activist, either.   And that program pretty much shut the lid on that Bucket List item for me for good. My gosh the garbage. They went on about the garbage problem, showing the film as they went,  who is hired to fix it, why it's not working, how the lack of recycling has filled the landfills, and the flies, the flies, over everything. How visitors are not welcome (showing footage of same's cars being not nicely treated) and how the people live in such abject poverty they build up on top of a roof, not adding a roof for themselves till the next group wants to build on top, how the buildings have no windows, that one is amazingly  frank and an eye opener. I wish I could have seen all of it but I'm looking for it now to tape it....In Edit: found it. They are rerunning it Sunday at 4:30 pm.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: mabel1015j on August 24, 2016, 09:20:42 PM
PBS and NatGeo are both replaying their programs on the National Parks to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the national park idea. They are so beautiful to watch, both the geography and the animals.

I'm watching The Great Smokey Mountains one on NatGeo which gets the most visitors of all the parks. I suppose that is because they are closest to the most population. NatGeo does a great job of showing the symbiosis of the plants and animals.

Jean
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on August 25, 2016, 04:15:43 PM
"I Miss Downton Abbey

Revisit your favorite moments and never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage from the British series that took America by storm! Watch Thursday, August 25 at 9:00 p.m. on ETV; Friday, August 26 at 3:00 a.m. on ETV; Sunday, August 28 at 9:00 p.m. on ETV; 10:00 p.m. on ETVW. Watch preview. "

This is for SC but I'm sure your local channels will have this program!
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on September 17, 2016, 03:36:42 PM
This Indian Summer thing - have any of you been watching? Something about the series makes me feel so uncomfortable - it is like to many sleazy things happening and looking at the issues from an outsider's viewpoint both groups have their problems.

India did not like British Rule nor those who instilled the rule in their country and the Brits were not only homesick but had no recourse but to do what the Crown expected of them along with the usual drive to get ahead within whatever system your life experience puts you.

To me it is as if both groups are talking and looking past each other with no compassion for the other's experience. I guess it is all the secrets and the bits of mean behavior - hate secrets - make me so uncomfortable and hate meanness which has a sleazy aspect rather than all out war that is brutal but folks know that is part of war.

I am watching because I just cannot - it is Sunday night - but I am watching out of the corner of my eye - I feel like a kid wanting to bury my face in my mother's arm when the uncomfortable parts happen. 
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on September 18, 2016, 02:00:38 PM
Barb - I haven't seen that series, it did not get good reviews here but I believe they are still making another series. I will stick with my beloved Jewel in the Crown.

The British did a lot of damage with their ideas of Empire, as did the French, Dutch, Portuguese, etc in their various colonies. What were we thinking of? It's hard to put yourself in the place of those early Empire builders. And now so many problems are coming home to roost.

Rosemary
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Dana on September 28, 2016, 10:23:19 PM
Oh well, human beings do incredible damage over and over again given half a chance it seems to me.  Look at the American settlers and the native Indians.  The Turks and the Armenians.  Stalin and the purges.  The Japanese in China.  Chairman Mao and the cultural revolution.  The Jews and the Palestinians.  The Germans and the Jews.  The Spaniards and the Incas. Pol Pot and the Cambodians. I am going to stop thinking about it now.  Won't even go into how we treat animals.
 
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: nlhome on October 23, 2016, 07:19:02 PM
The Durrells in Corfu? Anyone watching this?
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on October 23, 2016, 10:13:56 PM
nlhome,  I'm trying to watch The Durrells in Corfu but the characters are beginning to annoy me!   At the end of tonight's episode there was a "Behind The Scenes" feature.   The actors talked about their characters.  They see much more in them than I do.

Your thoughts?
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: nlhome on October 24, 2016, 03:54:40 PM
That's just it, I couldn't see a reason to watch it, just wondered if I was missing something. I have had the flu, so I find my appetite for all things, including TV, is not up to par, so just thought I'd ask if I was missing something. Thanks.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: evergreen on October 24, 2016, 04:35:50 PM
The Durrells were a sort of weird but interesting family.  Lawrence, the eldest son, is most famous for writing The Alexandria Quartet, and the youngest son is credited with redefining the modern zoo.  He founded the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

They were such weird kids.  It's interesting to learn how they turned out to be rather productive adults.  If you'd like to learn more about the family, there's quite a lot of information in Wikipedia.
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on October 24, 2016, 07:23:23 PM
I had not realized the series was based on a real family.   Thanks for the information.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on October 25, 2016, 03:37:20 AM
Yes the Durrells were indeed real. The books on which the series was based were written by Gerald Durrell. I've only read the first one, My Family & Other Animals, which is immensely popular - in fact I think it was a set book when I was at school. Gerald went on to work in nature conservation all his life, and was associated with people like David Attenborough.

I haven't seen the TV series - it did not get good ratings her. I had been wondering about buying the DVD but I don't think I'll bother. I've recently acquired the DVD of Alexander McCall Smith's No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series and I'm looking forward to that.

Rosemary
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on October 25, 2016, 02:23:43 PM
Thanks for all the comments on the Durrells.    I'm not quite sure what is seen as "interesting" about the characters.  So far, I'm just finding them annoying.

Rosemary,  I love McCall-Smith's series.  Have you read the ones set in Scotland?
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on October 26, 2016, 10:41:06 AM
Yes I have Callie! I love the Scotland Street ones because the characters are so funny - and so Edinburgh (which is where I live). I think McCall Smith has dropped the name of just about every Edinburgh Personage into those books (including that of the then headmistress at the school his daughters attended - I wonder if he got a fee discount?!)

I've also read the Isobel Dalhousie ones (also set in Edinburgh) but I don't like those so much - I find Isobel annoying, she is far too perfect, rich, happy for my liking!

One of the non-series books he's written is La's Orchestra Saves the World, which I did enjoy.

He's absolutely prolific - I don't know how he does it, as he has his finger in so many pies and is always turning up at Edinburgh functions.

Rosemary
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Endeavour, Lewis and Other PBS Programs
Post by: CallieOK on October 26, 2016, 04:21:27 PM
Rosemary,  I've enjoyed almost all of the McCall-Smith books.   Interesting that he dropped Personage names into the books.  Dorothea Benton Frank usually mentions the "real names" she's given characters in her books - but they're friends, not VIPs.

I'd love to know how he sees the character of Isobel!

I knew you lived in Edinburgh.  I've been there once - on a tour - and enjoyed a "free afternoon" exploring streets near the castle.  Wish I could go back there - and to the rest of Scotland (particularly across the northern part) without being on a time schedule.  Unfortunately,  aging infirmities have taken their toll and I can't do that kind of traveling any more.
However, I love hearing "tid-bits" about areas and authors from those who live in places where books are set.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on November 08, 2016, 12:10:25 AM
I too have found it difficult to get into the DURRELLS series. I think that the actors are good and parts of some of the episodes I've seen are interesting but something just isn't clicking for me.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on November 08, 2016, 12:29:10 PM
I think the issues they are confronting are same ol same ol - we are not being challenged to think nor is there any adventure - no real bad guys like there are in the Poldark story - it is like a quirky family sitcom with kids pouting over the silliest things and the mom being silly in her flirtations - with the culture differences not being so much a clash but rather 'ah yes, seen that played out in such and such movie or TV series'

Yes, good actors and well shot with beautiful scenery but blah after that...

Seems to me this series is a second time around - sorta remember it from a few years ago when the story line may have been fresh. Is this a re-make do you think?
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on November 08, 2016, 12:36:46 PM
aha found it - first the run down

    Gerald Durrell's Corfu trilogy books:
        My Family and Other Animals (1956)
        Birds, Beasts, and Relatives (1969)
        The Garden of the Gods (1978)
    My Family and Other Animals, a 1987 BBC series based on the Corfu trilogy by Durrell
    My Family and Other Animals, a 2005 BBC telemovie based on the 1956 book by Durrell
 
And here we go - it was Masterpiece theater in 2005 as My Family and Other Animals - the link even shows a photo with all the actors in their parts.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Family_and_Other_Animals_(film)
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on November 27, 2016, 05:07:15 PM
For those of you who like The Great British Bake Off, this Wednesday at 10 pm the PBS EX channel, the Explorer Channel will be showing Master Class, a Christmas show on baking  with Paul and Mary. I don't know if it's on regular PBS. But they are running Rosemary and Thyme this week on regular PBS, check your local  schedules but you MAY get EX, it's new. I know DISH has two channels of it 27 and 8187.

There's suddenly an awful lot of British programming on EX, including Penelope Keith's English Villages and a special on English castles.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: rosemarykaye on November 28, 2016, 01:58:22 PM
Re The Durrells, it is indeed a remake. I have today picked up a DVD in a charity shop of My Family & Other Animals, made in 2006. Hannah Gordon played the mother and Brian Blessed was also in it.

I could just do with a week (or several) in Corfu right now. In Edinburgh it is cold, and dark by 4pm. The winter is long.

Rosemary x
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on December 03, 2016, 07:27:46 AM
The new PBS schedule for 2017 is out and I am excited.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/features/must-knows/2017-masterpiece-schedule/?elqTrackId=161CA46E7E3480E285028F0F63FB5555&elq=67ed9501343e454fa70ba4d59bd5a230&elqaid=3730&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=1897

Sherlock looks sensational in this very adrenaline pumping trailer.


This month, starting December 11.
I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about the first of The Hollow Crown series. Maybe YouTube will have it. The latest in the series is about Henry VI (in two parts) and Richard III. A must see for Richard III followers, Benedict Cumberbatch plays Richard III. The trailer is somewhat uninspiring, so I hope the program is better overall.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on December 03, 2016, 01:31:19 PM
Thanks Frybabe - have you seen the Pollyanna - what did you think? It will be interesting to see what happened to some of the characters in Home Fires.  From the Sherlock photo how much older Martin Freeman looks.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: mabel1015j on December 03, 2016, 02:20:07 PM
Somebody mentioned that you are now getting Rosemary and Thyme reruns. One of our PBS stations has been running them on Friday nights for a coiple years. I think I've seen all of them twice. And it is now followed by Midsomer Murders. Do any of you get those two on Fri night?

Jean
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on December 03, 2016, 11:36:00 PM
Frybabe, thanks for the link to the 2017 Masterpiece schedule. Sherlock does look good!

I too don't remember the 2012 Hollow Crown episodes. It looks like some of them ARE on youtube. I'll be watching the new series starting December 11 on Great Performances.

mabel, I'm not seeing Rosemary & Thyme or Midsomer Murders. We have had them before. On Thursdays our PBS has been running Vera and Shetland, both of which I enjoy.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: BarbStAubrey on December 11, 2016, 10:03:27 PM
Finally the soliciting for funds ends and then we have Henry VI - but oh oh oh - I sure hope they repeat this later next Spring - it sounds wonderful but I just cannot get into all this rancor and quibbling - I could care less that the king is after funds rather than love or or or - I can get enough of all this drama on Facebook after the election that won't quit - I want something light and heartfelt - with all our music for the past couple of weeks I could even take music over all this Fifteenth century austere surroundings and verbal battle.

A program of St. Olaf Choir would have been nice or even, what is it in Utah - not the friends but the ones who believed for so long in multiple wives - huge choir and orchestra with a monster pipe organ - anyhow that is the kind of programing I am yearning for - so I think I will pass on Shakespeare's Henry VI this time. If nothing else it may be on the PBS site so that I can see it after the New Year online. 
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on December 12, 2016, 06:41:09 AM
Well, Barb, I was all set to watch last night, but at the last minute, I pretty much decided as you did to skip it for now. I did catch the last half hour because, it turned out that my station replayed it very early this morning. Amazon prime has the series listed so I can start at the beginning if I want. Unfortunately, I think they want a fee for every episode except the first.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on December 12, 2016, 09:19:09 AM
I taped it on my new Hopper and am very excited about viewing it. I have NEVER been strong on the Henry's, or the War of the Roses, never, but we read Richard III here some time ago, and that was great fun.

What a CAST!  I would watch Michael Gambon read the phone book.  With  this cast I am thinking that drought in my mind about the Henrys  will come to an end, and I may finally get this period known. I am so looking forward to watching it. Love the ability to tape something and watch it later on when you're in the mood.

But hark, they are saying  The Hollow Crown continues... What do they mean? Is this a series I have missed?

It might be a fun thing to read the first play  in connection, like Barbara did with the poems,  we might enjoy that.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on December 12, 2016, 11:32:28 AM
Apparently so, Ginny. The first year began with Richard II, and continued with Henry IV and Henry V. No wonder I don't remember it. The first series was aired in Britain in 2012; I don't think it ever aired here. The first season is also on Amazon Prime Video and on DVD.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: ginny on December 12, 2016, 02:55:08 PM
Well no wonder I don't remember it.

Well darn.  Thank you!

Maybe some day I'll watch the prequel but this cast is enough for me to start here. After all, for years I've started with Henry VIII and then moved back to Richard, it will be good to get some of the Henry's straight, anyway.
Title: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: Frybabe on December 22, 2016, 08:02:54 PM
In preparation for our coming discussion of Cranford I have started watching the first season episodes on my Amazon Prime. Enjoying it very much.
Title: Re: Re: PBS Masterpiece 2016 - Poldark, The Durrells in Corfu and Other PBS Programs
Post by: marcie on January 01, 2017, 11:59:53 AM
Let's talk about PBS programs and the new Masterpiece 2017 season in a new PBS discussion at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=5035.0