Purrceyz Reviews

There She Goes: Special: 414 (2023) Season 3, Episode 0

The most realistic & honest depiction of living with a child with high behavioural needs

[9/10 · 2 September 2023]

My husband and wanted to see this special because There She Goes is one of our favourite shows.

Our late son (we lost him at age 25 to SUDEP - Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) was very much like Rosie. There She Goes by far the best and most realistic depiction I've ever seen of living with a nonverbal child with challenging behaviours. Too many shows don't portray this experience accurately. As well, unlike many dramas, the parents aren't portrayed as saints but as good parents trying to cope with a challenging situation. The fact that the writer based it on his own family and daughter gives a realism that one rarely sees in this type of drama.

The performances in it are excellent especially, the child actor (Miley Locke) who plays the daughter Rosie is outstanding & totally convincing. Her mannerisms and body language were very familiar to us.

The special continues the story of this family as Rosie hits puberty. This special maintains the quality and honesty of the first 2 series. It has the same mixture of pathos and humour. Once again, the stories really resonated with us (some of which we had experienced ourselves) and is incredibly well written and acted.

Highly recommend this show, not just for those in the disability community but for everyone because opens both minds and hearts.

Steeltown Murders (2023)

Wonderful true crime drama handled with sensitivity

[8/10 · 24 June 2023]

This drama is based on a true story; how Wales' first serial killer was finally identified almost 30 years later. Both of the real life detectives (Paul Bethell and Phil Rees) worked with the writers and producers of the show as did the families of the murder victims. The third detective in 2002 (Gariant Bale) is played by the nephew of the real life detective.

I wanted to see this drama for several reasons. Firstly I thought Manhunt by the same writer, Ed Whitmore handled the real life cases with considerable sensitivity. Secondly, I've enjoyed seeing Philip Glenister in various dramas. All the cast and crew are Welsh with the exception of Phil whose mother is Welsh.

The story flashes back and forth between 1973 and 2002. The 70s were very well evoked in the show. (I was a teenager then, only 1 year older than the murdered girls). A few people online complained they found the flashbacks confusing but I never did even though they aren't labelled. For the lead characters, their younger versions are very well cast and quite believable. Although the show is a bit slow moving at first, I found it drew me in.

It is not gory (the actual murders are not shown.) I thought it handled the true crime aspect with sensitivity and unlike some shows; it didn't sensationalize either the crimes or the perpetrator. To me, the care and sensitivity the writer and the producers took in bringing this story was evident.

Trigger warning: there is some discussion around the forensic evidence resulting from rape and a victim who was raped recounts her story (not in a graphic way).

The story line closely follows the real life events in both investigations. Unlike some dramas, it shows the amount of work the police do and is more realistic in how this process unfolds with the sharp contrast between 1973 and 2002. One character (Sita) is fictionalized, she represents various friends of the real life girls.

As a parent who lost a child myself, I was especially struck by the realism of its depiction of parental grief. Some of the scenes are heartbreaking but beautifully done. .

Although Philip Glenister is playing a policeman again (his most famous role being Gene Hunt, a fictional policeman), this character is very different. He effectively conveys Paul Bethell's determination and tenacity in finding the killer and his sensitivity with the families.

Recommend.

Mr Selfridge (2013–2016)

Excellent show with strong characters and performances

[8/10 · 3 January 2023]

Overall, I think Mr. Selfridge is an excellent show with strong characters and performances from all the cast. I liked that the show unlike most British dramas, it wasn't about police officers, lawyers or doctors but set in a department store (a beautiful set) with the store owner and employees. I also liked that it had a strong ensemble cast of interesting characters and how these characters developed and how their relationships developed over the course of show. Despite the criticism of Jeremy's Piven's performance here, I thought he was very good as the brash Harry Selfridge. He portrays the character with depth especially as the show progressed and you see behind his brash facade. My quibbles are minor. The first two series/seasons are the strongest and the last two aren't quite as good. It does gloss over the war years and skip ahead (although it does affect some of the ccharacters. As well, the theme music at the start of the show is overly loud. However, I'd highly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys an excellent drama with interesting characters and wonderful performances.

Three Pines (2022)

overall a good series

[7/10 · 26 December 2022]

In general, I think that this is a good series. I'm a fan of the books but I recognize that sometimes changes are made for various reasons in adaptations and there will always be a difference between books and TV are different mediums. My husband (who has never read any of the books) also enjoyed the first season/series.

What I like about this series:

Alfred Molina's portrayal of Inspector Gamache is excellent. He beautifully captures the thoughtfulness, compassion and humanity of the character. Many of the other performances are also very well done especially Tantoo Cardinal.

I liked that they filmed in the eastern townships of Quebec, the architecture of rural Quebec is different than the rest of Canada or the northern USA. I liked that most of the cast and crew were Canadian.

The indigenous story arc of Blue Two-Rivers is unique to the television show (not in the books) and is very well written, well acted and compelling. Apparently the show's director is indigenous and they used indigenous cultural consultants. The care that was taken is evident in the show. Although Isabelle LaCoste is not indigenous in the books, I thought it was a good idea to have her characters as an indigenous character who doesn't know the culture (because she was adopted like many in the "scoop) and as an outsider in the police. For far too long in this country (Canada) the issues surrounding the treatment of indigenous people have been ignored. This arc is integrated very well into the existing stories from the book.

Areas I think could use improvement:

The issue that immediately struck me is the lack of French (there is some but not as much in the books) especially with 2 characters. Jean Guy doesn't speak English (and mistrusts English speakers) Gamache and his wife only speak French to each other. As well, realistically most Surete du Quebec business would be in French (except interviewing English speakers). I was surprised that they had Gamache speak with a standard English Canadian accent (rather than British as he does in the books) although I thought that this was probably because it might confuse people who hadn't read the books.

However, my biggest issue was the episodes often feel rushed because they cover an entire book in 2 parts and add the indigenous storyline. In some cases, I feel they would have worked better as 3 or 4 part stories. The best story in my opinion (which didn't feel rushed) were The Murder Stone parts 1 & 2.

Overall, I would recommend this show. We enjoyed it and look forward to seeing the second season/series.

Doc Martin (2004–2022)

Enjoyable comedy/drama set in Cornwall village, Martin Clunes is a stand out as Doc Martin

[7/10 · 27 November 2022]

Doc Martin is an enjoyable, often funny show set in a beautiful fishing village in Cornwall UK (called Portwen, it's filmed in Port Isaac). The lead character Dr. Martin Ellingham (called "Doc Martin" by the locals which he doesn't like) is a former surgeon who's become a GP because of his blood phobia. He's also brusque, uptight, often rude and lacking in social skills. (It only eluded to in several episodes but this character is probably on the autistic spectrum). He's also a dedicated doctor who cares deeply about his patients and is very good at diagnostics. I personally think his rudeness (which is the source of a lot of the humour in the show) often comes from his lack of social skills rather than deliberate meanness. When he's overwhelmed with emotion, he often resorts to lecturing people on medical matters. Martin Clunes plays him brilliantly. If you watch any of Martin Clunes' other shows (especially his travelogues where he's himself), you will see when he's in character as Doc Martin, his mannerism, his posture and his gait are completely different. It's enjoyable watching him interact with the other characters including Louisa, Aunt Joan and Aunt Ruth. (I also enjoyed these characters.)

Why did I give a rating of 7 instead of 8? For me, there were several reasons. Firstly, the show is occasionally medically inaccurate (eye injections cannot restore sight in someone with age related macular degeneration, they can only slow its progress.) Apparently the show had a medical advisor but there were occasional slipups (such the inaccuracy about macular degeneration.) Sometimes the plots are over the top and stretch the bounds of believability. Within the show's long run, it felt like there was a lot of repetitiveness. In my opinion, the show ran too many series and ran out of ideas. In particular 2 of the secondary characters began to grate on my nerves the way they were written; specifically PC Joe Penhale and Bert Large. Both became very annoying and I came to dread every time they were on the screen (which seemed to be a lot).

Our Mutual Friend (1998)

Very good with excellent acting, slow moving at first

[7/10 · 13 November 2022]

This show is slow to start. I found the first half of the first episode not terribly interesting and was tempted to turn it off. Hiwever I stuck with it though and was well rewarded as it got much more interesting. As it went on, I found myself better drawn into the both the plot and characters. The plot is improbable (as Dickens often is) but the acting is superb. I enjoyed all the performances. However for me, David Morrissey's portrayal of the school headmaster - Bradley Headstone was the standout performance. (He is not introduced until episode 2.) He conveys such a wide range of emotions playing the obsessed school master and I find myself simultaneously both despising and pitying his character.

Des (2020)

Sensitivity handled drama with a great performance by David Tennant

[9/10 · 12 November 2022]

I believe David Tennant is one of the great actors of our generation. In this drama, he plays Dennis Neilson (a serial killer in London in late 70s & early 80s) with a chilling perfection. He's never over the top and plays this role with subtlety and nuance. His character is totally nonchalant and cold which is very characteristic for a psychopath. The only emotion he ever shows is only for his dog. I was especially struck by how dead his eyes are when he plays this character as opposed to when on the DVD extras, he's interviewed as himself talking about the role. His chilling nature contrasts with the humanity of the police and the journalist who interview him and are dumbfounded by his cold nature. (Both Daniel Mays and Jason Watkins give excellent performances.) Despite the grisly nature of the case this drama is based on, it does not become gratuitous unlike some other dramas on serial killers and is handled with sensitivity. (The murders are not shown and it begins with Dennis Neilson's arrest.) Highly recommend.

Broadchurch (2013–2017)

Excellent show, great writing, acting and filming.

[9/10 · 19 June 2022]

Broadchurch is an excellent show. The first season (series in the UK) covers a child murder in a small seaside town. What is especially outstanding about this show is that unlike many police procedurals, it isn't just about solving the crime but shows the effect of the murder on the family, the police and the entire community. It is beautifully written and filmed with gorgeous cinematography and a very evocative score. The cast are outstanding and all the performances are wonderful. It is a show that stays with you long after viewing. The first season is the strongest, followed by the second season which covers the court trial of the murderer & the third season has a new crime but the town is still feeling the effects of the murder in the first season. Highly recommend.

Big School (2013–2014)

Enjoyable comedy in school setting

[8/10 · 17 June 2022]

Big School is an enjoyable comedy set in a school. It's quite funny with the last episodes of the first season (the exam & the school trip to France) being especially funny. The cast are great, yes the characters are quite exaggerated and the comedy is quite broad and often low brow (even a bit of toilet humour). The main character Keith Church (David Walliams) is a nerdy Chemistry teacher who has a crush on the French teacher Sarah Posterns (Catherine Tate). His rival for her affections is Trevor Gunn (Philip Glenister), the lecherous gym teacher who lives at home with his mother. Some of the other standout characters are the headmistress Ms Baron (Frances De La Tour) who breaks all the rules and the sad sack geography teacher Gareth Barber (Steve Spiers).