Author Topic: PBS Masterpiece 2014 Cont. - Downton Abbey & Other PBS programs (Read 118135 times)

Frybabe · « **Reply #440 on:** July 28, 2014, 07:43:20 AM »

See the 2014 MASTERPIECE schedule.

NOW DISCUSSING

This summer (June 15 - September 7) we're talking about new and continuing series: THE ESCAPE ARTIST (June 15-22): David Tennant (Doctor Who) and Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) star in a gripping legal thriller; ENDEAVOUR, Season 2 (June 29 to July 20): Shaun Evans returns for a second season with four all-new mysteries as young Endeavour Morse, before his signature red Jaguar...but with his deductive powers already running in high gear; HERCULE POIROT, Season 12 (July 27 to August 3): David Suchet returns as the suave Belgian super-sleuth in two new mysteries; BREATHLESS (August 24 to September 7): In this stylish and compelling new medical drama set in London in 1961, Jack Davenport (Smash, Pirates of the Caribbean) stars as a brilliant surgeon who believes he can make a difference in women’s lives.

ALREADY DISCUSSED

Watch Season 2 of SELFRIDGE March 30 through May 18.

Season 4 of Downton Abbey during January and February 2014.

Sherlock, Season 3, returned, starting January 19, following the 9pm broadcast of Downton Abbey. Benedict Cumberbatch (The Fifth Estate, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Office UK) returned as Sherlock Holmes and John Watson in three new 90-minute episodes of the contemporary reinvention of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle classic, created by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who) and Mark Gatiss. Watch episodes on TV or online after they air.

Discussion Leaders: JoanP and marcie

Yes, the beginning was interesting. I thought the conclusion was a bit odd. I just didn't care for the ultimate reason for all the elaborate maneuvers.

Off subject, but it is funny how things seem to bunch together. During my morning browse through Project Guttenberg, I found a book on John Ruskin, mentioned below. I skimmed through it. It has lots of pictures, but I saw no mention of Effie Gray. I am not sure if this book is about John or his father John James, but it looks interesting to me. JR seems to have dabbled into art, writing and music - a multi-talent. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/46426

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #441 on:** July 28, 2014, 10:17:05 AM »

Hi all, and so sorry for the long silence. The Edinburgh International Book Festival starts soon, and what with that and the just Festival (spirituality/philosophy/social issues/beliefs, etc) and the Fringe and now also the Art Festival, I am in a flat spin trying to keep up with all the stuff I need to review. Fun though!

I just wanted to mention that last night Madeleine and I watched a one-off programme about Scottish contemporary art, Scotland's Art Revolution: the Maverick Generation. It covered many of the artists featured in the GENERATION exhibition which recently opened all over the country, especially in Glasgow and Edinburgh, to showcase people like Julie Robertson, Ross Sinclair, Toby Paterson, Christine Borland, Alison Watt, etc.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/59dn48m6jsCH7GYfyHB3tf8/the-maverick-generation

We really enjoyed it and afterwards we talked a lot about the independence referendum and what we feel about it. My children were all three born in Scotland; I was born in London - but we all have the right to vote as we live here.

I was away in York last week, which was lovely but far too hot. When I got off the train at Waverley and walked back up the Royal Mile on my way home, I couldn't stop a huge smile spreading over my face - it was just so good to be back in Edinburgh, despite all the tourists, the noise, the tatt, - it really is a fabulous place to live.

Rosemary x

Frybabe · « **Reply #442 on:** July 28, 2014, 10:39:33 AM »

That's a steep walk, Rosemarykaye. I hope you didn't have to walk too far with, I assume, baggage. When we were in Edinburgh eons ago, we stayed at the Carlton. I see it is still there, much redecorated I am sure. It was the first time I encountered heated towel racks.

JoanK · « **Reply #443 on:** July 28, 2014, 04:08:05 PM »

We had a thunderstorm here! A major event -- the last one we had was about two years ago.

Fry: when they broadcast the Poirot here, one of the episodes had the sound and pictures out of sinc, so you would see the mouths move about two seconds before you heard the sound. the second episode was just a very little off, so it seemed funny, but I wouldn't have realized why if I hadn't seen the first one.

Last tango is getting really soap-opera-ey, but I still love it. But to watch it, I have to miss the father Brown mysteries, which air at the same time. First time I wished I had DVR.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #444 on:** July 28, 2014, 04:46:32 PM »

ah too bad there is something comforting about the Father Brown Mysteries - there is NOTHING comforting about The Last Tango In Halifax. As to Poirot I can see why it is his last - not so much is he aging but his support actors are all aging so that no way can you believe they are still functioning detectives, officials etc.

MaryPage · « **Reply #445 on:** July 28, 2014, 07:57:44 PM »

Spent all evening last night with PBS. An old Lewis had seen before and enjoyed again. Tried to watch the Poirot, but unlike most of you, have always felt a quite strong distaste for this actor. Ick! So did a million other things while that was on.

But loved, as always, Last Tango in Halifax. Thought every speck of it was great.

And wound up with the last hour, last episode, of this season's Scott & Bailey. It was beyond wonderful. The gal who plays Gillian in Last Tango played a woman at the end of her rope, and she was fantabulous. Nicola Walker.

MaryPage · « **Reply #446 on:** July 28, 2014, 08:09:07 PM »

I keep meaning to tell you, and keep forgetting to tell you, so here goes, because I just had the thought just now and I will forget again in a jiffy:

The brilliant Sally Wainwright who wrote Last Tango In Halifax

is also the one who thought up and writes the scripts for

Scott & Bailey! Scott & Bailey just wound up its 3rd season and has begun filming its 4th.

marcie · « **Reply #447 on:** July 29, 2014, 12:59:56 AM »

I watched the Poirot on my cable "on demand" this evening. I agree, Barbara, that Poirot's former "sidekicks" have aged. He looked about the same. The episode was quite strange. What the culprit said about Poirot liking to "make spectacle" seemed to make parody of the series. It seemed out of place. For me, it drew attention to Poirot putting the other people's lives in danger by letting the "scene" play out (so that he could solve the crime with flamboyant arm waves). Why didn't he just have the person arrested earlier in the evening?

jeriron · « **Reply #448 on:** July 29, 2014, 09:39:54 AM »

Right now I came accross a series with Martin Clune on streaming called "William and Mary". I'm really enjoying it. He's so unlikable in Dr. Martin and completely different in this. I've also watched a documentary with him calledMartin Clune: a man and his dogs. Enjoyed that too. It's 6 parts not all dogs just the first one . The others are horses, wolfs. Etc.

JoanK · « **Reply #449 on:** July 29, 2014, 03:56:51 PM »

I like "William and Mary, but have trouble understanding many of the actors, so never quite know what's going on.

jeriron · « **Reply #450 on:** July 29, 2014, 05:55:53 PM »

I would be lost without closed captions.

marcie · « **Reply #451 on:** July 29, 2014, 09:47:18 PM »

I love captions. They are so helpful to catch all of the words... almost like reading the script.

MaryPage · « **Reply #452 on:** August 02, 2014, 08:36:52 AM »

I watched a new Miss Fisher's Mysteries last night, not a very good one at that, but I enjoyed little Jane coming home from school for the holidays. Then I watched an old and early Morse (well, of course, there are not any NEW ones!) and found it not a very good one, either, but it aroused my curiosity and I did a little research. There were THIRTEEN (13) books, and they did THIRTY-THREE (33) television episodes. All 13 books became TV stories, albeit somewhat changed, and then there were 20 stories written just for the television films. Colin Dexter appeared in every one, usually in a pub somewhere.

Also, it is in his will that no other actors ever play Morse. Apparently his Estate will hold the rights for 70 years after his death before his works are in the public domain, so no other Morses in OUR lifetime! And as of this week, at least, Dexter is still alive and writing.

marcie · « **Reply #453 on:** August 02, 2014, 11:58:35 AM »

Thanks for that good information, MaryPage.

I look forward to seeing if the next Poirot (tomorrow night) is similar at all to the one last week or more like the "old" ones that I had gotten used to. There are only these two Poirot episodes this season and then we'll see a new series, BREATHLESS, a medical drama which starts August 24.

MaryPage · « **Reply #454 on:** August 03, 2014, 08:58:58 PM »

Well, just finished watching the final episode of LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX, and loved it! Absolutely relished it. Perfection, that's what it was. Did you like it as much as I did?

CallieOK · « **Reply #455 on:** August 03, 2014, 09:29:56 PM »

I certainly did - although I wish the closing kiss had been between the bride and groom!

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #456 on:** August 04, 2014, 02:32:18 AM »

And best of all it leaves room for more - does Jillian hook up with Robbie and does she tell him or is there a marriage with her keeping her secret - looks like the others are all settled for a bit - even Celia and her sister made peace - nice - the bit with the four young ones and Alan was precious - the good friend who has the boat, cannot remember his name but he played a bigger part and was just wonderful - what a fine cast.

MaryPage · « **Reply #457 on:** August 04, 2014, 07:24:43 AM »

I have loved Derek Jacobi ever since he did the Brother Cadfael series eons ago, and have tried to catch everything he has done since, but NEVER have I been so completely delighted out of my skull as I was with his so-called "speech" at that wedding! And weren't those young men Great? Oh, I could watch that bit forever and ever afterwards!

I had thought Jacobi's greatest triumph was Claudius, but I was wrong! He still has gifts to show us!

marcie · « **Reply #458 on:** August 04, 2014, 11:13:34 AM »

I too enjoyed TANGO. Yes, Derek Jacobi's "speech" was hilarious. They all were wonderful. He's a good singer and a very good dancer too. He seemed to do a number of different dances with his new wife and was very graceful. The whole cast is great. Poor Gillian can't stay out of trouble!

MaryPage · « **Reply #459 on:** August 04, 2014, 01:02:01 PM »

Yes, she has absolutely no judgment, and yearns to be appreciated. Given her history of perfectly ghastly abuse, one can well understand why this is so. But what an industrious worker she is! She runs that sheep farm ALL BY HERSELF, from A to Z (taking the animals to market), and manages looking after Sarah Jane (Calamity) at the same time! I found her an amazing person; someone I would like, while deploring some of her impulsive acts. SHE IS A PERSON WHO SHOULD NEVER, EVER IMBIBE ALCOHOL!!!!!

Frybabe · « **Reply #460 on:** August 04, 2014, 07:14:45 PM »

I just noticed that Sunday was the last Poirot. I don't know why I thought there were more than two. Anyway, this last one was better than the first. Surprised and not surprised at the ending. It was nice to see Ariadne Oliver (Zoe Wanamaker) one more time.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #461 on:** August 04, 2014, 10:24:20 PM »

I believe there are 5 with only 2 showing on PBS - and yes, I loved seeing Zoe Wanamaker - I love the part she plays in the Poirot series - I was disappointed with these last two - it was like he was a caricature of himself - his heart did not seem to be in it - he did and said appropriately all the things we come to expect from Poirot but there appeared to be an effort made to capture the walk and be discreet - the sharp bite was not there - he said he was going for a walk but not as snippy as in the past - I felt there was an edge missing or maybe a heart for the character.

Frybabe · « **Reply #462 on:** August 05, 2014, 07:02:04 AM »

Oh, that's right Barb, I forgot. I am not likely to see the others, then, because I don't want to sign up for any additional services.
I'm trying to cut back on what I do get to lower expenses.

Do you suppose Suchet played it that way to show an aging Poirot? At one point, I remember him castigating his "little grey cells" (he didn't even use the term this time) for not working well. It is so odd to see him without his usual supporting characters too. I know he wanted to do all the Poirot, so I rather doubt he was losing interest. He has even written a book, according to USA Today.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/08/01/david-suchet-finished-poirot-run/13464297/

Steph · « **Reply #463 on:** August 05, 2014, 08:07:35 AM »

Watched my first Miss Fisher last night. Hmm. the clothes are wonderful..She is gorgeous, the plot is thin, but I will keep watching. I liked the maid very much.

jeriron · « **Reply #464 on:** August 05, 2014, 09:21:52 AM »

FryBabe:
You are right about Poirot. He is aging and his heath is failing . It will show more in the last shows which won't be shown until next year.
I have Acorn/tv streaming and they are showing all of them this month.

MaryPage · « **Reply #465 on:** August 05, 2014, 09:42:36 AM »

Steph, so glad you are on the ride through Miss Fisherland at last! The plots are ALWAYS thin, and the people similar to characters in the board game CLUE. But OH, THE CLOTHES! The clothes make the hour absolutely divine. And the actors are having fun and they are all darlings and you will come to love them: Phryne, Mr. Butler, Dot, Janie, and on and on. I count it a brightly lit hour of pure fun in my week.

Steph · « **Reply #466 on:** August 06, 2014, 08:51:16 AM »

I am still at the sorting out stage of the show, but hopefully will start to regard them as individuals.

marcie · « **Reply #467 on:** August 06, 2014, 11:14:01 AM »

I fell asleep just for a few minutes watching Poirot. I did see the whole ending. I think I might watch the first part again. It was an involved story. I think that it dragged a little due to the way it was filmed. There were a lot of "distance" camera shots with a tiny Poirot in the distance and a lot of him in the outdoors walking or walking fast with his little steps. I don't recall an episode before where he spent so much time outdoors.

Steph · « **Reply #468 on:** August 07, 2014, 08:38:56 AM »

A second Miss Fisher, this one introduced Jane,,, the plot is close to non existant. but between that house and the car.. whew.. that is wonderful.

FlaJean · « **Reply #469 on:** August 07, 2014, 09:36:12 AM »

I enjoyed the second Poirot much more than the first, but the old series with Captain Hastings will always be my favorites. The new ones need a different screen writer IMO.

MaryPage · « **Reply #470 on:** August 07, 2014, 09:56:56 AM »

I want to live in that house! I want to have a Mr. Butler. I want that CAR!

But most of all, I drool over the clothes. Lov um!

Steph · « **Reply #471 on:** August 08, 2014, 08:52:27 AM »

Jazz, a beautiful jazz singer and now Miss Fisher and her policeman are growing closer. He is yummy as well.

MaryPage · « **Reply #472 on:** August 08, 2014, 12:18:12 PM »

Oh, I remember that jazz episode; the music was heaven!

You see, even though the stories are so ridiculous and skimpy, the twenties, the time of my mother being young and putting rouge on her knees to dance the Charleston, that time is brought back SO beautifully. Thrills me at the same time it tears me up inside.

Steph · « **Reply #473 on:** August 09, 2014, 08:39:20 AM »

Last nights was a bust. Mostly too dark, a strike, Phryne jumping into bed with some sort of anarchist.. and Dot in danger. Did not like that one at all.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #474 on:** August 09, 2014, 08:59:42 AM »

Nothing for us this weekend - pledge drive and no Masterpiece, or any of the Brit Coms - not even a repeat... and so the TV will be dark tonight - which is fine I will be busy looking at the supermoon.

MaryPage · « **Reply #475 on:** August 09, 2014, 09:50:14 AM »

I watched a delicious repeat of Phryne Fisher last night; the one in which she starts out doing the Tango and winds up doing a fan dance. Oh, and she meets the Inspector's ex-wife, and we find out Dot has a sister.

Steph · « **Reply #476 on:** August 10, 2014, 09:16:36 AM »

Oh me, ex wife.. I had one of those days and never got to watch any neflix stuff at all.

ginny · « **Reply #477 on:** August 11, 2014, 10:33:12 AM »

I had a lovely, unexpected treat last night when I stumbled onto our South Carolina PBS station and they were doing a pledge drive, which I think was a rerun, so possibly you've seen it already. This one was really well done and they were showing a film called Being Poirot, in which David Suchet talks about how he embodied the character.

And it's a joy to watch. Suchet takes a trip to Belgium to find Poirot, we go right along, and what he finds there what he sees there and how the people react to him is just magic. Then he takes a trip on The Orient Express, talks about why Poirot never married, and in general is marvelous. Dresses for dinner on the train, but as himself. Love it.

Yes he's older, Suchet is 68, and he looks different, and so do we all, but when he talks about Poirot, he's so animated his face lights up the brilliance of the man really show through and it's a wonderful experience. Quite frankly I think it's perfect for my generation, the sadness of letting something you've created and loved having to be let go, but the joy in the creation of it in the brilliance of the man.

He takes the Poirot character very seriously, he always answers always fan mail, he seems sorry to let it go, but he's done all of them, hasn't he?

An article in the Washington Post three days ago says of the missing episodes (there are five last episodes) and they've only shown two now, but the rest will be on public tv in November.

Agatha Christie's grandson talked about his favorite books ....it is a wonderful program if you can see it. They show the filming of the very last episode, too, it looks like a really good one.

Thank you, Frybabe, for the notice of Suchet's book. I'm really looking forward to it. I love the way he reads Christie when he does each of the films. I love to watch him read so carefully and reflect. There was a scene where he was reading Christie on the Orient Express and talking about how he and Poirot were both outsiders. Wonderful!

Do see the Being Poirot film if you get a chance: it is a real treat.

MaryPage · « **Reply #478 on:** August 11, 2014, 10:59:37 AM »

Watched the first episode of ESCAPE ARTIST last night. It was, of course, a repeat, but I missed it when they had it on in June. Anyway, the story is FULL of holes and rather over the top, but I guess the writer had his heart set on a weird twist at the end. Anyway, I am a bit in love with David Tennant, so he thrilled me. But there were ALSO tons and tons of other great actors; actors we see over and over and over again in BBC shows, and love.

Richard Burton's daughter Kate!

Tony Gardner, recently John on Last Tango In Halifax.

Anton Lesser, who was Chief Superintendent Bright on Endeavor.

Roy Marsden, who so memoribly played Adam Dalgliesh in P.D. James murder mysteries.

I could go on and on. It was like a very pleasant reunion of dear souls, and I enjoyed myself immensely. More next week!

ginny · « **Reply #479 on:** August 16, 2014, 05:39:54 PM »

Oh Poirot and Me just came and I love it. Lots of great photos and rave reviews, David Suchet's own story of what it meant to play Poirot in 66 films. The book begins with the death scene in the last program, and I really could not put it down till I had read the entire chapter. Lots of inside details.

Super book for those who like his Poirot, and who does not? Lots of things about how they made his hands look older, and his face, etc.

Wonderful!!

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Author Topic: PBS Masterpiece 2014 Cont. - Downton Abbey & Other PBS programs (Read 118135 times)