Peter Boyd is a loathesome character
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billpeter — 16 years ago(October 18, 2009 10:26 PM)
He is not meant to be liked. He is a GREAT CHARACTER. OK, he is grumpier than Victor Meldrew. However, that is just one of the reasons why Waking the Dead is such a good series. Morse and Frost were grumpy as well. It makes for good, and interesting, although complex, characters. It makes you WANT to hate them.
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SiamezeCat — 15 years ago(May 27, 2010 05:20 AM)
Interestingly, I like Boyd most of the time. Exactly because his grumpiness is linked to a keen mind. And that often makes people impatient and irritable.
Interesting comparison with Frost and Morse. I particularly like Frost, with those cranky one-liners; rather like Lennie Briscoe in Law and Order. Morse was
often very demeaning to Lewis for no good reason.
But I'm surprised that no-one seems to mind that Grace. I find her intensely irritating; always trying to get into Boyd's head, "putting him right". And to some extent with the rest of the staff too. Her being a psychologist doesn't rob her colleagues of the right to keep certain things to themselves if they want to. She just seems like some nosy nagging housewife. -
gus_the_jack_russell — 15 years ago(September 20, 2010 05:04 AM)
I think Boyd is a great character. Ive been watching WTD from series 1 again & have found him to be quite funny at times. I thinks his temper tantrums etc is just what the show needs & it's good to see his softer side come out too. Trevor Eve is simply awesome!
I am
NOT
a guy!! -
fanaticita — 13 years ago(November 01, 2012 04:14 PM)
I agree completely! The character of Boyd is extraordinary. And as I wrote in an earlier post, his character like some of the best in tv is somewhat flawed which makes him all the more human. Have you seen Cracker, or Prime Suspect? Great characters with their own flaws. Boyd is a strong character and he needs to be, but he is also fragile in some instances, funny, cranky. . . .all things and more human. He is amazing. The actor is amazing! I love this show.
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sberti-580-195588 — 13 years ago(January 13, 2013 03:25 PM)
I wholeheartedly agree. I've just discovered the WTD series and like the story lines, but can't stand Boyd. He has no redeeming qualities. If he was at least good at his job, like so many other flawed characters (Cracker, Rebus), I'd not have this attitude, but he's not good at his job.
Another thing is that, as someone not familiar with any of the actors, I think the actor playing Boyd is totally cast wrong. If it had been a Ken Stott type actor, he'd be more believable, but I'd still wish for him to be not so stupid.
Also, I keep noticing that each time Eve wants to be 'natural' or 'relaxed' he takes a sip out of a mug. This 'studied' casualness is really distracting and annoying and in my opinion poor acting. Maybe if he wasn't mis-cast, I wouldn't notice those things.
Sorry for the rant. Grace is at least good at her job.
I've been watching the show for the story lines, pretty much IN SPITE OF the characters.
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!!!deleted!!! (41638798) — 12 years ago(September 07, 2013 04:16 AM)
Trevor Eve also was very good in "Heat of the Sun" a short lived period drama that took place in Kenya. He was a very sexy copper.
It was too bad the production company had prooblems a the time and they were never able to continue.
It was on US tv years ago and I saw it then.then realized it's now been posted on Netflix.
"Kidnap and Ransome" another post-WTD show, with Eve as producer, was also pretty good. They did two seasons I think.
Haven't heard any more about whether or not further series are being fimed in South Africa.
I haven't checked Netflix to see if it's on there. Saw it on ITV a coupla years ago. -
MrsGrey — 1 year ago(January 17, 2025 04:58 PM)
I know this thread is ancient, but I found the boards by googling how unlikable Peter Boyd's Waking the Dead character is….haven't read all the answers, but I remember already disliking the character when first watching isolated episodes on TV when it was first on….and now I'\m watching it on BBC (with all the money we pay for TV license, I guess I just want to get the most of it LOL) I don't think he is a bad actor, but I think he plays more or less the same attitude in Discovery of Witches….haven't seen him in many other shows, never seen him in interviews soo I can't extensibly comment, Will try make time to come back read a bit more of the thread, always interesting to hear people's thoughts
I know this kind of thing is very subjective, but I'm with the opening poster : I really REALLY dislike the character.
It may have an effect on a TV series, but that much aggression wouldn't get many people to work under a boss who behaves that way…. my daughter keeps telling me "it is TV!!!" yeah, I know, but I still terribly dislike him LOL -
Dazed — 1 year ago(January 31, 2025 07:30 AM)
I've just started watching this and can't say I'm a fan of that character either.
Mind you in the first few episodes all of the characters spent most of their time barking at one another. It seems to be calming down now and is becoming more enjoyable.
You stupid fuckers, you know who you are. -
MrsGrey — 1 year ago(January 31, 2025 12:04 PM)
you are right!!!!
I am taking a break from the series, was in Season 5, but took a break when I was in Season 3 already, only way I may be able to watch the whole thing putting up with his attitude (and the general shouting matches!!!)….
