gruffnut wrote:
Simple fact is BBC is trying to make dramas that it can flog abroad. However the competition from across the pond is a bit too strong, leaving the BBC to come out with howlers such as this one, and that god awful "Prehistoric"
As someone from across the pond who has seen this show, they can flog all they want, but I can't see this one making it.
I was really looking forward to this show. The production team had great bona fides, I have always been interested in archeaology, and my educational background is in history.
What a disappointment. I can live with certain changes made for the sake of dramatic narrative - the way that the digs are conducted, the uber ground penetrating radar, and the fact that our cast seems to specialize in every era of history. Heck, I can even live with the fact that in 4 weeks they've found the true cross and Boudica - if Indy hadn't already recoverd the Ark of the Covenant, they'd probably found that too! BTW - I love all the Indy's and National Treasure for the cheesey fun they are.
But, since this is a series, it can't treat every episode like a movie and continue to have the characters get involved in situations where they end up destroying (or being in ways responsible for the destruction) of pretty much everything they find. Heck, at the rate they're going, there won't be an artifact left in the UK. Also, while I can understand that they have to simplify certain historical facts, it gets to the point that anything that is factual is now so obscured or twisted, that nothing seems plausible.
It seems like every note they try to hit, turns out to be flat. The writing, not the best, the characters (and I blame the writing of them) seem to be a bit all over the place, and they seem to be trying too hard to make the ancient relevant by hitting us over the head with the connection. Yep - religious extremism is bad, yep - there are folks who don't want a black man to be US president, yep - love conquers all, and a little child shall lead them....
Oh, and by the way - the first time Dolly talked to me the way he talked to Viv - I'd have clocked him!
For me, this show is like a bad habit I can't break. Every week I keep hoping it will get better, and I keep being disappointed. I'll finish it out, but I won't look for it in the future.
reply
share