Soap Discussion - May 2013

Last blog of the month and it's a soap one, so here goes nothing ...

Coronation Street: Easily the show's strongest month and probably the most discussed soap this week, due to Stella getting the Rovers back and reopened, Karl continuing to get away with murder and of course, Tina finally giving birth to Izzy and Gary's baby with all hell breaking loose over a kiss as well. It's nice to see the show on good form and it's nice that this storyline has been better handled than expected (though we did not need Gary trying it on with Tina for tension with him and Izzy) and it's better viewing than Tracy and Rob's boring attempts to fleece money from Carla as well. Though I will admit as boring Rob/Tracy are as a couple, it's nice to see that Carla isn't the pushover they think she is and I could certainly do with some more drunk Sally, especially when she puts Norris in his place.

EastEnders: Not a brilliant month but probably not as bad as the bashing it's getting in the papers recently though. I guess the stories have been flat though - Lauren's continued downward spiral, Phil finally finding out about Sharon's pill addiction (marginally better done on Hollyoaks and Emmerdale) and dealing with it in his usual style along with a rather dull exit for Ray and the tedium of Kirsty pretending she's pregnant by Max as well as Sam/Ava/Dexter. Okay, thinking on it, it has been rather bad this month after all. Oh well, Janine vs. Michael was sort of fun and at least Lola finally got her baby back as well but at the moment, it does seem like the show is treading water.

Emmerdale: Another soap, another prescription pills addiction with an annoying character in the shape of Rhiona but on the plus side, at least her addiction is making Vanessa a more sympathetic character but that's only a slight thing. Other than that, there's still Debbie's tiresome behaviour to contend with (and will this show just get rid of Robbie already?) as well as Kerry endangering Andy's kids and being a thorn and his and Amy's side as well. Still, it's definitely been an interesting enough month, though how much longer can they stretch out Cameron being a murderer as well?

Hollyoaks: It's been nearly a week since all of the Roscoe lot have rocked up as the new family and I'm not sure if it's early to determine whether or not they'll be a success though. Robbie's been on the show for a month and already it feels like he's been exhausted of storylines with the latest one being his part in the Price Slice robbery but I suppose as a unit, there's potential there with them. It's certainly been a busy month with Will murdering Texas on their wedding day and framing Leanne, Theresa nearly shooting Dodger, Sinead giving birth, Tony concealing his cancer from Diane, Nancy's addiction to prescription pills, Mercedes and Browning scheming again. Basically, it's been pretty eventful. No wonder it's done so well at the last soap awards then.

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Reviving Shows

So, it's been rumoured that cult show, Xena: Warrior Princess could possibly be revived and given the likes of Netflix and Kickstarter reviving the likes of Arrested Development and Veronica Mars (as well as those rumours about Heroes), surely it should become a possibility?

It's hard to deny that as a series, without Xena: Warrior Princess, shows such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Alias to name a few might have made the same impact that they had done. The show, a spin-off from Hercules and starring Lucy Lawless as the fearless warrior ran for six seasons from 1995-2001 and became a cult classic with Lawless's career instead seeing the actress cropping up in shows such as The X Files, Battlestar Galactica and Spartacus to name a few. Back in 2010, the actress expressed a desire to reprise her most famous of roles in a movie and while there is still a certain degree of red tape, there's a part of me that wouldn't mind seeing one more adventure with Xena. I can't imagine I'm in a minority there.

Besides if a show like Veronica Mars - equally as brilliant but shorter lived and not anywhere as huge as Xena: Warrior Princess can get a movie from a Kickstarter campaign, it does make things all the more possible. I like the fact that Kristin Bell's infamous character will be coming back pretty soon for one more adventure and hopefully in one that was better than the character's last appearance. Of course, Veronica Mars only ended six years ago whereas Xena: Warrior Princess has been off the air for over a decade now and while reviving a favourite series might sound good on paper, there's also having the right story to justify bringing it back as well.

Take the newly released fourth season of Arrested Development on Netflix for example. While I have yet to reintroduce myself to the chaotic Bluths, the last few days on Twitter has informed me that their fourth run of 15 episodes (with some guests like Ben Stiller) have been a bit of a mixed bag. Some viewers have felt the new format hasn't helped the series while others have felt the show has been as good as when it originally aired on FOX. When I get the time, I will definitely make the effort to find out for myself. On the plus side, all of the original cast have reprised their roles in the cult comedy and that certainly puts the upcoming series in my good books. I guess the other thing you need in order to revive a series is the original cast. Both Arrested Development and Veronica Mars have/are in the process of doing that, so along with Xena herself, we'd also need Renee O'Connor back as Gabrielle if we're going to get one more adventure with the warrior princess, aren't we?

Of course, I should also point out that just because systems such as Netflix and Kickstarter might give some of us the option to have certain shows brought back temporarily, it doesn't mean that every single show no longer with us justifies a brief resurrection. Some shows just might be better off left where they were.

Xena News: http://www.digitalspy.ie/ustv/news/a484375/xena-warrior-princess-could-be-revived-says-lucy-lawless.html

Every season of Xena: Warrior Princess, Arrested Development and Veronica Mars are avilable on DVD. Except for the one that's airing on Netflix, concerning the middle show there.

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Atlantis - Further Casting

It's been a while since I've posted anything in relation to upcoming BBC1 Saturday evening drama, Atlantis but more casting for the show (currently being filmed in Morocco and Wales) has been revealed.

Alexander Siddig, best known for his roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nice, Primeval and recently, DaVinci's Demons has been cast in the role of King Minos, leader of the Minoans, Europe’s first great civilization. Based on the island of Crete, the Minoans were at the height of their power when the empire was wiped off the planet approximately 5,000 years ago and if there's something apt for this role, it probably is Siddig who has also previously guest starred in Merlin back in 2008.

It's also been confirmed that Aiysha Hart will be playing the role of Princess Ariadne. Other casting for the 13 part series includes singer Hannah Arteton as Greek poet Korinna, Karl Johnson as Itheus as well as Faye Brooks in an undisclosed role. Either way, this show is shaping up rather nicely, isn't it?

Press Release: http://sidcity.net/2013/05/23/atlantis-alexander-siddig-to-co-star-in-new-series-from-merlin-creators/

Atlantis will air Saturdays on BBC1 in the Autumn.

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Channel 4 Buys The Returned

Airing European dramas has never been more prominent at the moment, especially given in the last few years between them, the likes of BBC4 and FOX have aired the likes of The Killing, Borgen, The Bridge, Braquo, Spiral and Jo to name a few and it seems now that Channel 4 are getting in on the act as well.

Originally called Les Revenants (or Rebound), Channel 4 have renamed the series The Returned and it's a show that focuses a group of people trying to return to their homes in an Alpine village. The snag is for them is that they are unaware they're actually dead.

The show has already been a massive success in France and it's the first time in 20 years that Channel 4 have bought and aired a subtitled drama. However while Channel 4 plan to air this series next month, there are already rumours that an English version is imminent with AbbotVision seemingly being involved should one come to pass.

Having looked at the trailer, this looks like quite the bumpy ride and definitely quite dark and creepy in places. I think this is definitely going to be an eight part show I'll be watching over the next few weeks, especially given that the producers themselves have apparently given the usual supernatural rules something of a rewrite for this show.

Press Release: http://www.spoilertv.com/2013/03/les-revenants-rebound-picked-up-by.html
Season 1 Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqXP_Xw5RD4&feature=player_embedded

The Returned will air on Channel 4 Sundays at 9pm from June 9th.

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First Look: Dracula

You're never far away from another interpretation of Dracula and it seems that NBC and SkyLiving themselves are getting in on the act with former star of The Tudors, Jonathan Rhys Meyers playing the titular role in their co-production. Carnivale creator Daniel Knauf will be running the series along with creator Cole Haddon.

In this ten part series, Meyers is playing the role of Alexander Grayson, who poses as an American entrepeneur who wants to bring modern science into Victorian London and it doesn't take him much time to make an impression on a variety of characters upon his arrival.

One of the significant people Alexander makes an impression on is Mina murray, played by Arrow actress Jessica De Gouw - the love interest of Jonathan Harker (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a journalist desperate to make it in high society and in the trailer for the series, it seems that Alexander and Mina have something of a past and he's reluctant into making her into a vampire.

Other principal cast members include former Merlin actress Katie McGrath (she's popping up everywhere nowadays) as Lucy Westenra, Nonso Anozie as RM Renfield, the only confidant that Alexander seems to have and the more antagonist Lady Jane (played by Victoria Smurfit) and Thomas Kretschmann as Abraham Van Helsing. While we probably don't need yet another adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic novel, this does look genuinely stunning and it seems that the series is going for a more sympathetic take with Dracula too. Jonathan Rhys Meyers seems perfect for the role and the rest of the cast look good too. I'll definitely be watching this series when it airs on SkyLiving.

Press Release: http://www.spoilertv.com/2012/07/dracula-nbc-and-sky-living-hd-announce.html
Season 1 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Z1jVcmDH43Y

Dracula will premiere on Fridays in the autumn on NBC and will air on SkyLiving soon.

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First Look: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (Some Spoilers)

Let's be honest here - is anyone surprised this is happening? It might have taken them a while but last week, ABC did finally confirm that they were picking Joss Whedon's Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D (also co-created by Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen) up for a series and upon watching the trailer, it's easy to see why.

As we've seen from the trailer, it's true - Agent Phil Coulson does live with Clark Gregg reprising the role for the series.  Though the character was seen dead in The Avengers, he's alive in the series and the circumstances surrounding it will be a mystery for the first season. The remaining character making up the cast include Ming-Na Wen playing Agent Melinda May. She's an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. who is an ace pilot and weapons expert, Brett Dalton as the gruff Agent Grant Ward, Chloe Bennett as Skye - a new recruit and computer hacker along with Iain De Caestecker as weapons technology specialist Agent Leo Fitz and former Angel actor J. August Richards in an unspecified but seemingly heroic role. This is going to be huge.

Season 1 Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw054HALX2Y
Season 1 Cast Pictures: http://www.spoilertv.com/2013/05/agents-of-shield-cast-promotional-photos.html

Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D will air Tuesdays 8pm on ABC.

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My Review of DaVinci's Demons 1x06: "The Devil"

Written by Brian Nelson And Marco Ramirez
Directed by Paul Wilmshurst

Vlad The Third: “May I share a confession with you?”
DaVinci: “Yes, if it pleases my Lord.”
Vlad The Third: “I know that I’m mad.”

Geez, I wonder what gave it away really – having one prisoner savaged by dogs or the other one trapped in a torture device that would kill him upon release from it? This episode was certainly best approached by not taking it too seriously at all.

In a lot of ways, I was delighted that DaVinci decided to spend an episode out of Florence and if it meant going on a mission for Al-Rahim to learn more about his destiny with Nico and Zoroaster and rescue a Turkish ambassador named Solomon, then this episode was better for it. It certainly was a diverting episode nonetheless.

I didn’t think when this show would air that one of the storylines we’d get was an encounter with Vlad the Impaler. I’m also hoping that despite that nasty fall and stab wound he got that this episode won’t be the last time we see the sadistic warlord, especially given that he was able to survive being set alight and poisoned as well.

The scenes with Vlad and DaVinci were some of the most amusing scene I think we’ve had in the six episodes that have aired so far. I have to admit that DaVinci’s flattery in order Vlad on side was utterly amusing and up until a certain moment, Vlad gave the impression that he thought he had met a fellow kindred spirit in DaVinci but he’s not a man who takes betrayal very easily.

DaVinci, Nico and Zoroaster just about managed to escape from Vlad’s castle with Solomon alive and even then their great mission didn’t yield too much when Solomon died shortly afterwards as well. What exactly did DaVinci already learn here that he hadn’t already known as well?

Solomon alluded to his mother being alive but didn’t previous episodes seem to indicate that DaVinci suspected as much anyways? Al-Rahim similarly wasn’t that helpful even if he did provide an explanation for a younger DaVinci seeing his older self that Steven Moffat’s been using for the last three series of Doctor Who to get himself out of writing situations.

Still, the episode wins points for Vlad himself. The actor playing him was delightfully OTT and silly at some point and even a little terrifying here and there too. The macabre humour he displayed for his own tastes worked pretty well and did I mention just how brilliant his scenes with DaVinci were?

He was far more entertaining to watch than Pope Sixtus IV at the very least. I think I can speak for most viewers when I say that I really can live without seeing Sixtus starkers and while I certainly had no qualms with him nearly drowning Mercuri, I did feel a tad sorry for Riario, who was rightly humiliated by his uncle in front of Lucrezia this week.

I think another success of this episode was the brief glimmers of vulnerability we actually got to see here with Riario. I get the impression that while he mostly agrees with everything the Vatican are trying to do, it doesn’t mean that he’s immune to challenging them either. Unfortunately for him though it means getting smacked about by Sixtus for his troubles though.

Then there’s Lucrezia – doing all the spy work and letting Sixtus know about Lorenzo and DaVinci’s activities this week while at the same time getting a target on her head by Riario. Somehow I have a feeling that Lucrezia will end up surviving her imminent assassination attempt but mainly because this episode indicated that Giuliano was closing in on her.

Giuliano has been the surprise of this series as well. He could’ve been an idiot but he’s proven to being smarter than Lorenzo and with Vanessa and Clarice’s support, he focused his energies on continuing to try and find the real Medici court spy. Too bad Lorenzo decided to reward that genius by arranging a marriage with Francesco’s sister though when he wasn’t siding up to volatile dukes for further alliances against Rome.

Also in “The Devil”

I just realised this is the second episode in a row where both DaVinci and Lorenzo have not interacted with each other and the first where Lucrezia hasn’t had sex with either of them.

Moses: “My lady it’s time.”
Clarice (to Giuliano): “Oh my personal torture has arrived.”

Clarice’s bid to produce a male heir has resorted to Lorenzo shagging her from behind and drinking strange concoctions.

DaVinci (to Solomon): “I have a knack for rising to the occasion if I might only be told what the occasion is.”

Vlad The Third: “We shall talk more at dinner.”
Zoroaster: “As long as the dinner’s not us.”

Keeping with Vlad, they did make a point of mentioning that he was the Third and of course we did get the reference to Transylvania as the main action took place there.

Vlad The Third (to DaVinci): “I’m sadly at home in dungeons. As a child, my father sent my brother and me to be hostages by the Turkish Sultan.”

Vlad The Third (to DaVinci): “My tastes are not universally shared, it’s true. Let us retire.”

The coins on the floor to test his soldiers loyalty was an interesting method of Vlad’s as was the use of star signs like Capricorn and Aquarius to identify those violated curfew in Florence. Giuliano is a Sagittarius.

Vlad The Third (to DaVinci): “You’re an arrogant little fool aren’t you? I’ve endured every dragon poison known to man. I fought off the Ottoman empire. Did you really think that I would die at the hands of a fucking Florentine?”

DaVinci: “The Turk said that I would save you.”
Solomon: “And so you have – someday but not today.”

Chronology: Exactly from where “The Tower” left off.

“The Devil” will not go down as the most gruesome or frightening episode of a genre show I’ll have ever seen but it will be one of those episodes that I might want to watch again during the Halloween period. It provided an interesting take on Vlad the Impaler, which I don’t think can be denied.

Rating: 7 out of 10

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