MovieChat Forums > Bramwell (1995) Discussion > Story of the end?

Story of the end?

posted 12 years ago by gibbs-12
3 replies | jump to latest

With the Internet, I've become used to hearing detailed explanations when good series go bad and/or get canceled. I'm not really finding much in the way of interviews of explanations with regard to that in Bramwell's case. Anyone have links or info on how the end came about?

Fans of shows like Firefly might complain about the early demise of their shows but they don't realize how much worse things could be ... sadly Bramwell illustrates a worst case. Those final episodes were just plain unwatchable.

[–] mothercary 12 years ago

Gibbs-12, I'm afraid I don't have links or info for you but I am in the same boat. I've just started watching on Netflix and am at the beginning of season 3. What initially spurred my curiosity about the final season was its abrupt and strangely constructed end (only 2 episodes to season 4, both 101 minutes long ~ vice the regular 46ish minutes). Then I read the reviews: left no doubt that something very strange and awful happened on the operator side of the camera. I wonder what drama ensued that resulted in completely different, and by some accounts destructively experimental, writing/directing decisions. I have absolutely no curiosity to see the last 2 episodes but I am now curious to try and find out what the heck happened. If I find anything I'll report back here.

UPDATE

So, just looking around on imdb I've found that the only significant difference between season 1~3 and season four (or "Bramwell V" as it is apparently but mysteriously also known) is one Nick Goding. However, he was only the line producer of episodes 4.1 & 4.2. I don't think line producers have a lot of creative input/editing power so I'm not sure how influential he actually was in the big train wreck decisions. The production company was the same throughout: Whitby Davison (named for Tim Whitby ~Writer, Producer & twice Director of Bramwell episodes, and Harriet Davison ~Writer/Producer). Whitby did direct 4.2. He also directed 3.9 which I haven't seen yet. I'll be on the lookout for dubious directing decisions so see if there might've been a trend.

ITV says "Bramwell was the brainchild of Lucy Gannon." She's probably the best source to find out what the heck happened.

[–] Hypatia42 11 years ago

I agree. The last two episodes seem to have been a suicide mission on the part of the writers and producers. They destroyed every part of the story and characters they had coaxed us into caring about. I would *love* to know why. You would think the actors would have objected at some point, wondering if they had turned two pages of the script over at once!

I hope someone can update us.

[–] IzzyTree 10 years ago

I agree, I just tried to watch Season 4 tonight. I made it through the first episode with some mental anguish, but stopped the second episode after about 10 minutes. ARGGGH!!!! I loved Seasons 1-3 but Season 4 is (as someone said) unwatchable! They ruined Eleanor's character. I am very sad about this. It was a great show through the end of Season 3. I'm sorry I watched any part of Season 4.