Series 3 - WPC 56 (2013) Discussion

[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 10 years ago

Me too, totally excellent drama - the acting wasn't always the best, it was corny at times and it had that "daytime TV" look, but it was still one of the best things I've seen in ages! The Sgt Fenton character is amazing (very complex) and his storyline in Series 2 was gripping.

There was something of a cliffhanger with the Chief Inspector's last words to Gina (and his "gay blackmail" storyline was left hanging too) so hopefully we'll see a 3rd series. I'd like to see it spread over four weeks, 20 episodes, with various plotlines.

Awight we're The Daamned we're a punk baand and this is called Carn't Be Appy T'day!

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[–] leeds-gurl07 10 years ago

I agree! Pity there is only a few eposides. Hope the producers wise up and make more. So many ways to go with this! Like you say cliff hangers!

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[–] tony-cwilson 10 years ago

Couldn't agree more with the other posts. Can't wait for series three, and would also like to see both series out on DVD.

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[–] terrycashin 10 years ago

I find it strange that only 5 episodes are produced each season. Compare this with the U.S where 22 episodes a year is most common. Even the old, Blue Heelers, from Australia averaged 44 episodes a year.

Surely, if a series is successful the actors are going to be wooed away to do other things, making subsequent seasons difficult. I know that they sometimes have contracts, but the better ones are not going to sign up for a 5 episode gig, and spoil the chances of getting something more lucrative.

This, as someone said, isn't the most compelling UK Drama, but its well worth watching and deserves more than five episodes a year.

(I live in Canada)

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[–] !!!deleted!!! (41638798) 10 years ago

The frequent reference to the U.S. 22 episodes per season versus the British method of 4-6 for most series is well known. It's a different ballgame entirely.

The days of "The Pallisers" and the like are gone forever in British programming. They were counted in the dozens. Ancient history--no more.

For those who may not know where this show fits into the BBC, it's a show that is part of the BBC's daytime schedule---they produce various dramas that run Monday through Friday in usually the 2:15 p.m. a lot.

Ergo, they are shorter than the normal 59 minute drama. They run about 45 minutes each.

"The Indian Doctor" was another really excellent daytime drama in the Mon-Fri time slot. They also have finished their second season and I believe they are going for a third now.

Robert Pugh also came in with "Justice" a very good legal drama.

Another, "Land Girls" also appeared in the daytime slot.

I like the afternoon dramas. You get them in one week and they have one big arc with a few smaller ones, and you get closure and they are good for binge watching.

It's a nice format.

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[–] calmeilles 8 years ago

Small note on the 45 minute format. The BBC doesn't show commercials but the channels it can sell to invariably do. The shorter format allows for the secondary broadcasters to insert commercial breaks in a one hour slot without cutting the drama. Makes it more saleable.

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[–] Quomann 10 years ago

This is why British programmes are so much better than US programmes. Quality rather than quantity. Fawlty Towers 12 episodes, Porridge 20 episodes, Life On Mars 8 episodes, The Prisoner 17 episodes. Just a few examples that show less is more. Friends is a prime example of a US show where they made far too much. The first series was good but then they just repeated for another 200 episodes.

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] docterryc 10 years ago

While I agree that many British TV shows are superior to the US ones, I have to disagree with the statement that this is due to the fewer episodes per season.

The Americans really like their formula cop shows; that have to include a fight, a shootout and a car chase for example. However, they have also produced some excellent television with the 20+ episodes per season. The best examples being The Mentalist (the most watched TV show world wide in 2013), Columbo, Murder She Wrote.

Living in Canada we get to see a lot of TV from both sides of the pond, and so are hopefully a little more objective. Unfortunately, we see American TV the same day it was designed to air, whereas the UK stuff is always years out of date.

Nevertheless, we give our vote to British TV--Americans could never produce a Downton Abbey!

I do think that we all agree that we want another season of WPC 56 regardless of the number of episodes.

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[–] jts1412 9 years ago

The Mentalist was a good show the first couple of seasons. After that, it got off track. It may have been the most watched show worldwide, but certainly not in the US. The ratings have been dismal for the last few seasons. Three more weeks until the end.

WPC56 is everything right about a show. Noting really compares in the US. I was disappointed to not see WPC56 on my weekly schedule. We now have Shetland. It looks like it will be good and this week we also get the next season of Case Histories w/ Jason Isaccs.
We're also just getting Dr. Blake.

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[–] rmlaundon 10 years ago

A new series is definitely coming as the cst and crew have been spotted filming in various locations around Birmingham over the past few months. :)

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[–] felixjohnson72 9 years ago

Looking forward to series 4 and more. Brand new feel and more exciting with Annie. Come on BBC!

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