Michelle Keegan
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debbieblackman17 — 10 years ago(July 01, 2015 02:24 PM)
Can't say I'm bothered by this (although it's a shame after building Molly's character). It's like swapping one identkit soap star for another
I was more concerned that Ben Aldridge wouldn't be back, but, it seems confirmed that he'll be back for season 2 -
captain_indifferent — 9 years ago(September 09, 2016 04:00 AM)
I liked Molly and the first season a lot so came into this already jaded, it's like the first season got buzz so they suddenly had "bankable" actors and the nieces and nephews of the money nudge out as much of the original cast as they could.
Of course after I calmed down I just watched and slowly simmered and was all "What is with the lame intro song and rain dance? 1st season had me like Pavlov's dog every time the opening credits sounded ..War rages on..da da da."
Transported to Manchester, I know some of the UK history and manufacturing past of the city and it looks great but Molly's enthusiasm for her multicultural neighbourhood and her complicated relationship with Artem and her own family was gold 1st season.
So Elvis stands Lane up, he's either an ass or gone through something crucial and life changing he was afraid to show up (I sense something predictable but we will see).
So James runs in, (Wasn't he dead set on retiring? I guess not, born to soldier I guess and his leg not so f'd up, maybe titanium parts - sure OK) Molly gets a throw away line, still in Afghanistan or whatever. One soldier with more than a passing resemblance to Prince Harry.
I endure and there's some improvement, a little blase on the whole new BF relationship and "left at the alter" neurosis. New BF has bad timing with his text messages. So liked that Lane has some attitude - stuck it to the grunt with the mouth, called James and his Kenya opposite on their Kiki indiference and poor investigative chops - but they actually came through subverting expectation. Pretty scrappy mission but hey TV, fast thinking in the van by Lane and kidnap cliffhanger got me.
So the best thing about the show is the cliche dodging - S1 I liked Molly's concern for Bashira despite it being unpopular and how she notes that only boys are going to school near the end despite the supposed mission accomplished. S2 I liked Lane and her talk with Kiki's assistant and concern for the sacrifice these refugee crisis individuals make to the exclusion of perhaps their own lives and happiness and the toll it must take. Will be watching next week, any other opinions? (other than it misrepresents army and they're holding the guns wrong blah blah) -
LookinGood — 9 years ago(September 09, 2016 01:35 PM)
"What is with the lame intro song and rain dance?
Heh. I think they blew all their soundtrack budget on series 1. The German version even came without the original soundtrack (Shame!!), just some generic tralala (probably due to the expensive GEMA scheme in Germany).
Generally I liked Lane for being not like Molly. She obviously wanted to be in the Army (not just as an emergency exit), had a supportive family, a nice chatty boyfriend/fianc. So the conflict here does not come from within, we'll get some external conflict. The abduction, or the ghost of Elvis showing up? Elvis left me decidedly unimpressed, and I wouldn't mind losing him underway. And Charles James even defends his friendship with him. Huh, what?
I LIKE seeing more of section 2! Fingers, Brains, Dangles, Mansfield Mike actually get some lines! Fingers still doesn't know when to shut up, blathering on about his Captain and his "thing" with medics! (lol) I would have loved to have Cpl. Kinders back and see some development there. The new Sergeant I have no opinion about, yet. But apparently he's at least the correct rank for his position!
"I only watch box sets. Soya latte anyone?" (GuardianOnline reader CameronYJ) -
captain_indifferent — 9 years ago(September 10, 2016 07:55 AM)
Yeah liking Lane's confidence rather than have her being some Molly 2.0.
I dig your idea about wanting/choosing the army over using it as an emergency exit, concept examined a little in S1 with the guy that got discharged over his breaking down individuality conversation with Molly at breakfast.
It's curious that wanting to blow beep up and cause mayhem were great characteristics for soldiers in some wars vs today with almost police like responsibilities. Good themes for soldier stories like Buffalo Soldiers with Joaquin Phoenix and Hart's War.