British TV/General Discussion

One of the standout characters this season for me is Madeline, Atticus P.'s assistant and all around right-hand.

Had to think who Madeline was  Brit  ...   looked her up then realized it was  Miss Cain .  No surprises will creep up on Atticus when  Miss Cain  has  his  back. 

Now to Ridley...  Ep. opens up with singing ....  thing is I like the songs  ...  and as long as he keeps it  low  key  ..  I can listen .  The body in the tree .  How long has it been there ,  who put it there and more to the question , who has been sending  Sam  all these texts over the years supposedly from her mother saying she is alive but not to tells anyone  and she will contact her in time  .  What a cruel thing to do.   

Solar, the first song was a good opening to the episode. Worked well and I can overlook his voice when the song flows with the story. That was enough though, we didn't need anymore singing after that - it is too much and adds nothing to the episode.

This is a creepy, sad story... putting a body in a tree. I felt for the daughter, having to keep her father's secrets because he was all she has, while thinking her mother was alive all that time only to find out that she was being intentionally mislead. Yes, it is cruel, the question is why? She told no one about the texts she was receiving so the purpose wasn't for everyone to think the mother was alive - only her. To what end was that going? Especially when she is being told that the mother will come and see her when things are safe for her to do so. Just cruel.

Looks like a lot is going on with this story/murder under the surface. 

Our main leads personal lives seem to be crumbling around the edges. Maggie's new man is definitely putting a strain on Ridley and her relationship. Ridley does not like or trust him. When he was singing the opening song he seemed to be glaring at him! Now, he is whittling his way in to the bar. I don't have a good feeling myself. And, we have the detective's son hanging with a bad crowd - you know this will lead to no good. 

Still  don't know what's goin' on with  Hendrik but van der Valk  is starting to get suspicious with his strange behavior   ...  murder suspect  who popped up on a surveillance screen is a 2 year old  missing person presumed  dead  ....   is she the missing singer or just a look a like ,  ear feather makes it all very suspicious . Like his side kick Lucienne  ..  like her better than the elf.  lol      Moonflower  tonight .  

"Vandervalk"... Good episode! The photography is excellent, the landscape shots are superb. This series has so won me over. Wasn't a big fan the first season, but it has improved with each and I like the team very much. 

Solar, Lucienne is my favorite and I also like Eddie a lot. Got himself in a bit of a fix this episode - Meatball got over on him - he should not have had his back to the door, although he did his best to get him. I was getting a little nervous as Meatball was landing too many punches when he finally did - Piet to the rescue. Then on cue, Meatball is no more. Can't say I feel sorry about that, one less animal trafficker in this world is a good thing in my book. Unfortunately there is always someone to take his place. 

Hendrik is just acting weird at this point. Whatever the situation is - we are assuming it is with his health and possibly his ability to continue in his job - as Piet says, he is putting on a show (and it is getting a bit much). Darrell D'Silva generally plays the role over the top, too much so in imo. He (D'Silva) is certainly taking full advantage of this new wrinkle in Hendriks life. 

Brit  ..  whatever is going on with Hendrik it has to be big   ....  with this  suspenseful and dramatic build up ,   anything less that  '  big '  will make the writers look rather  foolish.  Or as you say it's just D'Silva  going over the top , thinking he's putting on some  great performance . 

That's the thing, Solar, D'Silva plays him so over the top that it is hard to assess how serious this is. Obviously, it is his health, so without question it is not good and very concerning, but we are seeing all this angst and no further info to understand what is going on. 

At this point I can't believe that it is so bad that they are preparing him for an exit from the show. If "Van Der Valk" comes back for another season (if D'Silva has anything to say about it) he'll be back to. He is enjoying this gig too much. 

"Moonflower Murders"... still don't know who the culprit is in either timeline - not even close to guessing. I think the next episode will be more telling.

I have to say this because it has been on my mind, whomever is styling Lesley Manville (as Susan) is doing her no favors this season. The hair, make up, even the clothes - they have not been her best look and they should have realized that early on and made some changes. The inside lighting on her has been awful. The best her hair has looked this season was in the last scene this episode. She looks ten years older than Andreas these days (so evident when she was face-timing him). I say all this as a woman of a certain age myself, there is a fine line of what works and doesn't - I won't bore you with all the details, but this new look isn't working for her. 

They had Susan (Lesley) on point in "Magpie Murders" - she had a vibrant, stylish, youthful look. I am not saying young - I am saying youthful - there is a difference. 

I would not be a happy camper if I was her, if I notice it, I know Lesley Manville has to as well. In her real life she is very stylish and vibrant and has an ageless beauty.

"Moonflower Murders"... still don't know who the culprit is in either timeline - not even close to guessing. I think the next episode will be more telling.

Yeah Brit  ...  know what ya mean ,  some of these culprits are so obvious ,  ya know  Horowitz's  writing is too  cleaver for that.  It will be somebody ya would never guess  and just pop up out of no where . 

I have to say this because it has been on my mind, whomever is styling Lesley Manville (as Susan) is doing her no favors this season.

Have ta say Brit  ... haven't noticed , totally beyond  the realm of possibility  for  me.  lol    

Quite right, Brit. First thing that came to mind were the paisley dresses of the 1970s. I wore them and am horrified that I did. 

Anyone watch Scrublands, on Acorn?

Deedee, I don't have Acorn TV.

Solar, watched "Ridley" last night. A lot going on in this episode... totally did not get that he was feeling relief about Maggie's new beau. I thought quite the opposite. It seems that he had a change of mind in that regard - I do not believe that he felt that way from the beginning. He said that he saw how happy she was - that she had a chance at happiness again, and it made him both feel relief and realize he could move on himself from his grief. Big personal turning point. 

I am slightly confused on the outcome of the ex police detective (Jean) daughter's future regarding sentencing - that was clearly a case of self defense in my estimation - Riley said there were mitigating circumstances that would call for a reduced sentence, but it would be a tough road ahead. ??  I don't quite get this, I see no reason why she should have any prison time. Probation, possibility. IDK, maybe I need to rewatch the ending again - they have clear evidence that he was abusive, she did not go there to kill him, but to confront him. She was trying to stop him from hurting/killing her. Am I missing something? I felt so bad for her, her life implodes and she will carry this always because of her mother's poor choice. It is a real shame.

Yeah Brit ,,,   don't know what's goin' on with that  bar owner woman  .  Told her he would accept Harry's  offer  , don't know what he meant by that .   Found out who was sending  Young  Sam  those  text messages  all those years indicating they were from her mother and still alive   .  Turns out it was her uncle after he killed her mother ,  despicable  creature.  Yeah, poor Molly , I see it as self defence as well   ,   she picked up that knife off the kitchen island  and there was a struggle , the knife was for self defence , not to attack him , he just tripped and fell , hitting his head ...  Jean tried to cover for her by taking the blame .  She  told Ridley while sitting at that garden table that she brought  Ross ( always thing of him as  Molesley from  Downton ) into her and Molly's life . Ridley seemed to think she would get off ( as I see it )  after the court got all the facts but as you said ,told her it would be a '  tough road . '  After solving  two  murders  I thought we would have a song at the end  from  Ridley ..  but  no song  in this Ep. lol  

Next it's  Van der Valk  ,  and hopefully more info on  what's goin' on with  Hendrik .    

don't know what's goin' on with that bar owner woman. Told her he would accept Harry's offer, don't know what he meant by that.  

Harry offered to put money (much needed per Maggie) in to the business and buy himself in as a part owner of the bar.

I did understand Maggie on the need for the cash infusion. Ridley has his pension and his income from being a police consultant. She totally relies on the bar for her income and things haven't been as prosperous of late. This, of course, was worrisome to her. Even if the bar did not turn a profit Ridley could keep it as a vanity investment - she is not in the same situation. So Harry buying in helps to ease the financial worry and she has him as an extra pair of hands to rely on regarding the running of the business.

The Uncle ... despicable creature.  

In every sense of the word, Solar.

Outside of "Downton" the only roles I have seen "Molesley" play are frightening Ross type characters - sicko psychopaths that scare the bejesus out of you. And, he does it so well! He really excels in these parts, he is so convincing. I much prefer him as Molesley though.

Ridley seemed to think she would get off (as I see it)  after the court got all the facts...

I hope you are right, Solar! I don't understand what the coming "tough road" is. None of this will be easy for (or on) her, the whole situation is traumatizing and will remain so, but it should be an open and shut self defence case. 

Maybe that is what Ridley meant - the effect this all will have on Jean's daughter's life moving forward. I didn't interpret it that way, but that could be what he was alluding too. Now, that makes sense.

I was expecting a song too - actually I was waiting for one! 

Found this little tidbit interesting. This is a show I think would work well adapted for the UK audience. 

"London-based production company Big TalkStudios was given the green light to develop an adaptation of Cheers alongside CBS Studios forthe U.K. market. Big Talk is now pitching the new show to British broadcasters and has picked writer Simon Nye to be show runner should it get the show to air, per a Deadline report."  Oct 2, 2024

And then there is this news...

https://tellyvisions.org/article/puzzle-lady-everything-know-about-pbs-new-mystery-series

Good  find  Brit  ...    ' The Puzzle  Lady  '   and another Downton  Star  to make an appearance .  Phyllis  Logan was great  in Downton .    Bet she will be just as good as the Puzzle  Lady.   Will be looking forward to it by mid year  2025.  

Solar, still no definitive answers in either "Van Der Valk" or "Moonflower". Molesley's love interest from "Downton" starred in this past episode of "Van Der Valk", don't remember her name - I'll go look it up...Miss Baxter (Raquel Cassidy)! 

I thought this was an excellent episode of "Moonflower". I still am not closer to figuring out who it is in either timeframe, but enjoyed the episode immensely. I may rewatch it again tonight.

Bad, bad news regarding Hendrick's health, wasn't expecting that diagnosis, but I will hold any thoughts of doom (and that he is leaving the series) since he self-diagnosed and has not gotten a second professional opinion on either the diagnosis or treatment (as we really don't know what stage he is in). Maybe Piet will convince him to seek further professional help this coming episode.

Solar, still no definitive answers in either "Van Der Valk" or "Moonflower".

Still  building up Brit.   ....   Hendrik's condition is serious but is their a way out for him ?  If his self - diagnosis  is false he's gonna look pretty stupid , if it's accurate can he come thru successfully with treatment.  Tonight might make it more clear .  Knew someone with throat cancer but his end was self - inflicted . Often thought he was told he was not responding to treatment , but who knows.  Cassidy ... thought that one looked familiar , thanks for placing her. 

Did a bit of an eye - roll  when Melissa James's  husband  was arrested for her murder (  come on Horowitz you can do better than that ..   ' always the husband '  who does it )  but when he came down stairs with a knife in him  I Thought ... Horowitz back on form . lol     Lets see what Ridley is up to.  

Moonflower...

I'm thinking ... Frank Parris killed the opera singer - he's the one that ran her over with the car. ?? If so, the question is why?

What is the Australian connection ?  It keeps coming up...

What really happened to Leo of the (Frank and Leo, in Remembrance) dedication?

Next installment should be very telling.

Solar, throat cancer is such a horrible disease - I was shocked that that was Hendrik's (self) diagnosis. 

Unimaginable what your friend/acquaintance must have gone through. So, so sad.   

Happy Thanksgiving Solar and Appara! 

Sorry I have been MIA the last little while. I dropped our satellite TV,  so no longer have PBS...and not sure how to go about getting it standalone here in Canada. Our provider was bought out by a bigger company and upped our price by $40!!  I am still trying to figure out this streaming world!!   Also, I can find BritBox but not Acorn. I know y'all have had these, wondering if BritBox is as good with their shows? But for now, I am practicing my 'jump over the spoilers' when it comes to PBS only shows!  LOL

I did get to watch last weeks episode of Ridley, and I think because Molly set herself up with a 'fishing' account it might appear that she planned to do him harm? But I too think that it was self defense for her, and the mom should have known better, but it is mama-bear instinct to protect a child. 

Happy Thanksgiving Solar!, and thanks for remembering our Canuck turkey day Brit!