Disqus - Latest Comments for Juney

Re: TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH - Day Five

Juney — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:52:02 -0000

I thoroughly enjoyed all 5 episodes and I think the idea of putting them on in a single week was an act of genius - no loss of impact by having to wait a week between episodes. I have only one nitpick and one big horror.

The nitpick was Clem. He was supposedly a Scottish boy - I have known several Scottish people who have lived in England for over 50 years and yet still have their accent. I can accept that, being a child, his may have lessened but I can't accept he would have become broad Yorkshire.

The real horror for me wasn't the alien but the fact that the Cabinet and Prime Minister's deliberations and self-satisfaction came as no surprise - I could completely accept, with the shower we have in Westminster at the moment, that this could be an almost accurate description of Cabinet deliberations in real life.

John Barrowman can be incredibly irritating at times when he is being himself in variety type shows but in this he showed that he really can act, Peter Capaldi was also outstanding as were many of the suppporting actors - to echo an earlier commenter 'it was bloody good'. If this show doesn't win awards this year then there is no justice.

Re: TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH - Day Two

Juney — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:56:39 -0000

I'm enjoying this series so far, although how those supposed snipers got jobs is anyone's guess, they couldn't shoot their way out of a paper bag.

I'm finding Johnson and Frobisher have heavy overtones of the Primeval set up and I'm wondering just what the creepy scientist who has 'decoded' the messages, has up his sleeve - he constantly looks as though he knows something the others don't.

Amazed no one - you included Dan - mentioned Barrowman dancing about in his birthday suit - bet he enjoyed that bit.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.13 – "Something Worth Fighting For" (Part 2 of 2)

Juney — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:45:39 -0000

Thanks for your views on the programme Dan. It was this series of critiques that led me to your site but I have found others equally as interesting on here.

In common with almost everyone who has bothered to comment on this series, I too think the writing is the thing that let it down. They had a good solid core of actors and woefully under-used them until the last 3 weeks when we saw what this series could have been if someone had cared a bit more.

I know it doesn'twork that way but I had a mental image towards the end,of a queue of the main actors outside the production company's office, all with their resignation letters in hand.

As far as the poll is concerned, AJ is right - it wouldn't do for us all to like the same thing but that shouldn't stop us respecting other's choices. Ula we know you love Jonas but please dear when you are in a hole - stop digging.

Re: Robin Hood axed

Juney — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:25:33 -0000

I don't see how they could carry on with so many of the original cast leaving. I suspect that they probably had a queue of actors outside their offices waiting to hand in their notices due to the truly awful writing for S3. They probably thought any more would only damage their careers. I woud like to see Sam Troughton and Joe Armstrong used a lot more on TV, they have so much more to offer than RH gave them. I still think Sam Troughton would have made a much better Dr Who than the unknown lad they have given the job to.

It amazes me that BBC, at a time when they are cutting Saturday early evening Drama due to 'budget restraints', can waste what must have been an awful lot of money on dross like Krod Mandoon!

I suppose we can now look forward to our early Saturdays being a morass of 'reality' shows, video clip shows and purile quizzes.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.13 – "Something Worth Fighting For" (Part 2 of 2)

Juney — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:20:06 -0000

It is only a pity that they didn't bring in the 'we are brothers' scenario in at about episode 3 then I think we would have had a much better series. Once Robin, Archer and Guy were in the same scenes they all delivered well above themselves. Richard's very restrained acting made Guy's death that much more poignant when it could have been cheesy. He has made a lovely job of showing how Guy has gone from a remorseful drunk at the beginning to a decent man in the end. I will miss Guy.

In the last two or three episodes Jonas has improved in leaps and bounds, his Robin was at last very believable and his death again was very nicely handled.

One small point - it was lovely to see Much without that nasty rag on his head! Sam again has been wonderful in the part of Much and is another one who will be sadly missed along with Joe Armstrong.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.12 - "Something Worth Fighting For" (Part 1 of 2)

Juney — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:34:49 -0000

Agree with practically all of your comments Dan. I think Allan deserved a bit more 'important' death! Having him shot down in the forrest was a bit of a 'nothing' but I suppose it gave a basis for John, Much, Kate and Robin to feel some remorse. At least the writing for John was consistent - he has always been the one to make instant rash judgements. The writers and producers do seem to be attempting to bring this series back on track with the last few episodes but I wonder if they will have done enough. I suspect that Joe was probably somewhat relieved that they have killed his character off and he can get back to stage acting.

I think a problem they will have if they do go for a fourth series is that they will have to practially re-cast the whole outlaw gang. With Joe gone and Jonas going that only leaves Much and Little John of the original outlaws with Tuck as a recent addition. Guy and Archer don't sit comfortably yet as Outlaws and if Keith is indeed leaving (you never can tell with Keith) then they will also need a new Sheriff.

I still find Kate a huge irritation and if she were one of the ones to be offed next week I don't think there would be much weeping and wailing. Joanne Froggatt is a very good actress and she has not been well served with this writing. I thought the way Robin carefuly did not answer Kate when she asked him to say she was needed more by him than by her family was a very nice touch and I liked the way Guy managed to convey with just a look or two his amusement at the dissention within the outlaw group over Allan.

The jury is still out on Archer. I think they are trying to give him traits from both Robin and Guy but as he has spent his whole life not knowing about either of them I wonder if this is credible they cannot have influenced him in the way brothers often do influence each other.

Glad to see Vasey back, Keith has made the part his own and is always good for some comedy along with the evilness. Isabella was again looking more and more like the wicked Queen and poor Blamire definitely needs something for his sore throat.

Re: Strictly Come Dancing: Arlene Out, Alesha In?

Juney — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:27:54 -0000

If any of the judges need replacing they should be replaced with someone who is either a professional dancer or a choreographer. It's like the ice dancing - judges need to have some technical knowledge otherwise they can only judge on entertainment or appearance. While I think Arlene is sometimes harsh in some of her comments you cannot get away from the fact that she knows dance inside out.

Re: Doctor Who: series split?

Juney — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:20:55 -0000

I'm sure they could fit the programmes in with the World Cup - you just have to persuade the sports lot that half or three quarters of an hour of chat by aged footballers is not necessary before the kick-off. This happens with all broadcast matches. Why they can't just start the broadcast about 5 mins before kick-off I've never understood. That way they could get the Who episode in and keep everyone happy.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.11 - "The Enemy Of My Enemy"

Juney — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:48:26 -0000

To answer Ula - please look at the other actors as well as RA! What I am saying is that at this point Keith Allan, Sam Troughton, Joe Armstrong, David Harewood and Lara Pulver and RA are all better actors than Jonas. They have a much wider/longer depth of work behind them and they all have other on-going work as well. So far we have only heard of Jonas doing a straight to DVD film and a future appearance in The Street. Robin Hood has been a wonderful showcase for him and I'm sure he is hoping that it will lead to him being offered much better stuff in the future.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.11 - "The Enemy Of My Enemy"

Juney — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:07:24 -0000

Ula dear - chill. We know Jonas has a large fan base. Quite possibly in something else, with better scripts, dialogue and situations he would probably shine.

What most of us are saying here are that the scripts and situations up to Ep 9 have been crappy beyond belief and for an actor who hasn't had the experience like some of the others in the cast, an awful lot was being asked of him here.

RA and Keith have shone probably because villains always get meatier parts and because of their wider acting experience. Joe Armstrong, Gordon Kennedy and Sam Troughton I think have only managed to make something of their non-parts this series again because of their wider acting experience (Royal Shakespeare Company etc).

The experience Jonas has gained from these 3 series will no doubt stand him in good stead and we will see in the coming months and years what sort of actor he develops into.

Re: http://danowen.blogspot.com/2009/06/itv-cause-primevals-extinction.html

Juney — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:44:50 -0000

You get the impression from both BBC and ITV that ideally they would love to get programmes like The Royle Family - not just because of the excellent writing/acting but because they only need the one set which must make them extremely cheap (in relative terms). The only drama I think I have seen made that way was the excellent Alan Bennet 'Talking Heads' series.

Perhaps actors as well will have to stop demanding huge fees. I read that in the recent extremely popular 'Red Riding' all the actors worked for Equity minimum and they all took a percentage of future profits from re-sale of the series to overseas and DVD sales.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.11 - "The Enemy Of My Enemy"

Juney — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:36:08 -0000

Suzy has hit the nail on the head. You only have to look at Life on Mars. John Simms was the 'star' with Philip Glenister as 'second string' so to speak, but look who became the most talked about and most popular character!!

During RH series 1, if any other actor than Jonas was going to come to the forefront I think it was an even chance between Guy and the Sheriff! Keith put in some truly iconic performances in some of the early episodes. As it has turned out Richard has given the more consistent performance.

If jobs for actors are as thin on the ground as we are lead to believe, then every actor must be having to try and make the best of any part they get in order to ensure they are in casting director's minds in the future.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.11 - "The Enemy Of My Enemy"

Juney — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:24:16 -0000

For the legend lovers who are upset that they have messed up the Robin/Marion thing. If they stuck to the legend Robin dies and while dying shoots an arrow and asks John to bury him where it lands (explains why no-one can prove if he existed or not - no grave ever found). At this point in the legend Marion is never mentioned.

Re: http://danowen.blogspot.com/2009/06/itv-cause-primevals-extinction.html

Juney — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:47:57 -0000

Have to agree with everything you have said Rob. Perhaps they should have taken the idiot who commissioned Demons and fired him.

Perhaps they should also look at BBC who have recently broadcast the excellent 'Moving On' series of dramas in the afternoon!! These were so well received that they are now going to repeat them in the evening starting next week - so much for 'no one watches TV in Summer'.

To be fair BBC also have their moments. I watched Robin Hood and had to juggle with the Sky+ to make sure I didn't miss Primeval, but Robin Hood was moved about between different start times almost weekly and missed out all together for Eurovision.

Perhaps if ITV's execs took a cut in salaries and they got rid of some of the dead wood they may have a bit more to spend on drama.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.11 - "The Enemy Of My Enemy"

Juney — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:48:04 -0000

To be honest, having read most of the comments for each of the episodes; I think between us we could have written better scripts - I hate to think what these rubbishy ones have cost both in money and in disaffected actors.

Re: http://danowen.blogspot.com/2009/06/itv-cause-primevals-extinction.html

Juney — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:34:56 -0000

I understand they are strapped for cash but the least ITV could have done was to commission a one off 'special' like the Dr. Who episodes, then they could have wrapped the whole thing up neatly instead of leaving the viewers hanging!

The excuse about using their budget for post 9:00pm drama sounds a bit thin - what post 9:00pm drama? Looking at this week for example, the only post 9:00pm drama they have on is Kingdom and Doc Martin!! I know The Bill is scheduled for that slot later in the year but to achieve that they have even cut that down to 1 episode a week.

You have to feel sorry for the people who have come into this series for the first time. I'm sure they probably wouldn't have taken the jobs knowing it was going to be cut off so abruptly.

If ITV now fill Saturday tea-time with the usual reality/quiz show/clip show rubbish they will get even fewer viewers and even less advertising revenue. You have to wonder if the planners over there have a death wish.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.11 - "The Enemy Of My Enemy"

Juney — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:24:06 -0000

I thought the fight scenes were much better in this episode and, as you say, the uneasy peace between Guy and Robin is played very well. Given some decent lines Jonas was much better and I liked the look on his face when Robin realised that there is someone else (Archer) who is as good with a bow as he is!! Also John's expression when he realised Guy has saved him during the fight was priceless.

Considering it was so early in the evening and they know it is a popular show with children, I think the 'bedding the sheriff's wife' scenes could have been implied rather than shown - I bet the young lad who dislikes all the snogging was sharpening his pencil for another outburst of complaint.

I agree with you about Isabella - she reminds me of the wicked Queen in Snow White. If they were going to make her a villain I think they should have paired her up with Vasey, they would have made a good evil team.

Not sure yet about Archer, hopefully the cockyness will be toned down a bit but he could fit in quite well. Again Much, Allan, Tuck and John were relegated to bit parts, such a waste.

Liked the Guy line 'Where shall I sleep' with the implied 'where I won't get stabbed in the back'.; and his remark to Kate 'It's fine if you don't like me - I don't like you'.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.10 - "Bad Blood"

Juney — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:43:54 -0000

With today's revelations by the BBC Press Office I think now that the chances of a Series four is a likely as finding Much appointed Sheriff of Nottingham!

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.10 - "Bad Blood"

Juney — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:38:12 -0000

Probably explained things wrong here Dan - the chap playing Archer is actually only 6 months younger than JA but as Archer is supposed to be 10 or so years younger than Robin in the sytory, it's a bit awkward as JA in no way looks to be 10 years older than him. It was the same with Lucy when she played Marion - she looked older than Robin when in actual fact she is about 8 years younger!

I'm sure later on in life the young look will stand Jonas in very good stead but it isn't helping him at the moment.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.10 - "Bad Blood"

Juney — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:10:47 -0000

Keith Allan has said in several interviews that he is leaving, again I think the long periods in Hungary are keeping him away from his young son but Keith is ever the joker so you can never be sure. In a couple of interviews RA has said he is happy to go along with the Guy part as long as the writers can find material for him but - after the disastrous writing this series - he may have a new perspective.

I agree with Dan about the casting I think perhaps Joseph Kennedy (who played Carter) would have made a more believable Robin. It is hardly Jonas' fault that he looks so young but, judging by the press photos, it is going to get quite odd for the last three episodes when Archer - who is supposed to be about 10 or so years younger than Robin - looks much older than him.

Re: ASHES TO ASHES 2.8

Juney — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:52:44 -0000

I'm glad that they have comissioned Series 3. Didn't Philip Glenister say in that interview in Brighton that only Series 3 would answer all the questions? I got the distinct impression that he had seen the scripts or at least an outline.

Re: PRIMEVAL 3.10

Juney — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:44:14 -0000

Oh dear Neilb - my brain is hurting now! I am beginning to be very glad that I was rubbish at science in school, I have enough problems dealing with the one reality I'm in!!

I see I made one of my usual boobs - it is Connor who is acting like a 10 year old not Danny (sorry about that - having a senior moment).

Over all, even with the ropey ending, it was decent entertainment for the time slot it's in. Now it's finished I see we are back to funnies and quiz shows nothing for kids at all, so roll on Series 4!!

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.10 - "Bad Blood"

Juney — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:33:20 -0000

I think we all agree that the writing this season has been pretty ropey up to now. Frankly I'm not surprised that Keith Allan wanted three weeks off. Even Richard Armitage who Ula things gets too much attention, was absent for two weeks (I assume some clash with filming Spooks?) Toby Stephens was great as Prince John but I do think we missed Vasey. The actors I really feel sorry for this time are the 'gang' they have been little more than cardboard characters. A total waste of some very good actors.

As Suzy rightly says, in many dramas the 'bad' character is often better written and this is best illustrated with Allan who got much better lines and situations (and costume) when he 'went bad' than he has in this series. Kate has been a total waste of space. I assume she was put in as token totty but Joanne Frogatt is so much better than these scripts are letting her be (you only have to see the recent Moving On series to judge her ability).

I will be very surprised if there is a fourth series. if there is they will have to bring in some better writers! I suppose for the majority of the actors they at least have the consolation of knowing they are in demand for other stage/film/tv work.

Re: PRIMEVAL 3.10

Juney — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:11:25 -0000

Like you, I was wondering how they would get round the "if she stops humanity evolving then she won't exist therefore can't be there to stop evolution' (if that makes sense). Apart from the cliff-hanger of three of them stuck in two different time periods; the last bit of the present we saw was Becker running off saying 'I have an idea' poor lad is going to have months to work on his idea now as they didn't bother letting us in on what it was!

A bit of a lame ending to what has been a quite lively show - the kids love the monsters and at that time on a Saturday evening we can't really expect too much grown-up stuff but I am glad to see the back of Helen, she irritated the hell out of me and I hope if/when it comes back they make better use of Becker. Ben Mansfield seems to be a pretty competant actor and I'm sure could handle more than they have given him this series. I also think it is about time that Danny grew up a bit, he may be an electronics genius but he acts younger than a 10 year old sometimes.

Re: ROBIN HOOD 3.10 - "Bad Blood"

Juney — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:51 -0000

Opps Ula, I think you've hit on why we have diverging views. I am an avid reader but I never ever read a book or watch TV for the 'beautiful romance or happy-ever-after'. I'd much rather read/watch a good murder or mystery.