Did anyone watch the first (of five) episode tonight? I just hope the next four episodes live up to the promise of the first. Brilliant cast (although I'm not sure about Alex Kingston's accent). Dean Andrews (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes) is excellent.

 

Kath

 

Edit - can't believe no-one has watched this yet. It $h!ts all over a lot of other TV dramas (and needless to say - $h!ts all over a load of soaps at the moment.) Maybe its just too thoughtful for BJ posters.

Edited February 3, 201114 yr by Kathyp

I really liked it too!

 

Although not a LOT happened in the first episode, it set the scene brilliantly and I can see there being some interesting twists in the following episodes.

I'm not familiar with character names yet, but the guy who plays the pregnant woman (Nisha?)'s husband clearly has something to hide.

Edited February 4, 201114 yr by Cremey

I fully intend on ITVplayering this because (going by the trailer at least) it ticks every box. Creepy supernatural drama, Alex Kingston doing a Northern accent, pretty little cottage in the country, clever transitional time zones and SHELLEY CONN QoM (Queen of Mistresses). I mean what more could one ask for?

 

(Actually one could ask for Tracey Ann Oberman to feature playing Alex Kingston's twin sister but that might LOWER THE TONE somewhat.)

Looking forward to the next episode of this. Anne Reid is the grown up/older Ruth!

 

Kath

I must admit I'm loving this I've watched both episodes today, I love how all the years are inter woven into the series back and forth, and how the characters revolve. The ending of episode 2 was very spine chilling.

It gets better and better. I'm hoping the conclusion isn't as disappointing as a few ITV Dramas have been lately!

 

It gets you thinking doesn't it? I've been searching for information on the original US version of this 'The Oaks' (which was cancelled due to industrial disputes) but it doesn't glean anything other than the characters from all eras are interwoven and do have some sort of relationship (which we'd already guessed).

 

I just wished they'd done this in three one and a half hour episodes over consecutive nights!

 

Dean Andrews is really good but I'm not convinced by Alex Kingston's accent (but that is a minor quibble!)

 

Kath

I've yet to watch episode two but the whole thing is dodgy accents ahoy! It only adds to the enjoyment for me. Shelley Conn's seems to veer quite wildly between mildly Northern and BROADLY LANCASTRIAN.

Review of episode 3! It looks to be the best so far.

 

http://www.cultbox.co.uk/reviews/episodes/...pisode-3-review

 

I'm really glad that Dean Andrews is getting especially singled out for praise. He was my favourite character in Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes - glad he has a lead role in this.

 

Kath

Has everyone on BJ given up on this ... if you have you're missing one of the best dramas that ITV has put on in years! Bloody brilliant tonight and the last few minutes were scarier than anything.

 

Kath

I'm still on it!

 

I'm behind though, I only just watched episode two. And it was SERIOUSLY good, a massive step up from episode one. Anne Reid and Alex Kingston are both really bloody good in it.

I'm still on it!

 

I'm behind though, I only just watched episode two. And it was SERIOUSLY good, a massive step up from episode one. Anne Reid and Alex Kingston are both really bloody good in it.

 

If you were impressed with episode 2 you're going to love episode 3!

 

I'm still a bit undecided on Alex Kingston's character though (and her accent still riles me). Dean Andrews on the other hand is marvellous! Oh ... and really think the little girl who plays Amy gives possibly the best performance by a child in a TV drama of any kind since the boy who played Jake in Jake's Progress back in the 90's.

 

 

I'm still loving it! Dean Andrews really is brilliant as you say.

I can't really comment on Alex Kingston's accent as I'm awful with distinguishing accents from each other - especially northern ones. All sound the same to me!

 

Alice's blue hand appearing from the bottom of the screen last week was ridiculous, glad there was none of that tonight!

Trailer for episode 4 (next Thursday 24 February)

 

http://www.itv.com/dramapremieres/marchlan...mp=792259_123_1

 

Kath

Just caught up on episode three. God, it's just really good. I'm guessing that Mark has long harboured a love for Olive and is just 'settling' for Nisha and that he's going to stray. I find it odd though. Young Mark (the one from Emmerdale who is v v hot) is charming and cheeky and seems nothing like current Mark who is quite abrasive.

 

It's great how the stories within all three eras are interesting. Ruth running away and getting off her tits with some guy at that party was almost like an episode of Skins and yet it was beautifully done and totally believable. She'd been building up to a meltdown for a LONG time and that was it. Sad but inevitable that she had to go back though.

How sad was episode 4? I was blubbering a little bit at Olive's secret.

 

I can't stand Alex Kingston's character (and Kingston's accent is annoying me by the week!)

 

Can't wait for the final episode next week.

 

Kath

Its not scary.

Its just really intense.

The letters ASKOR in the steamed up mirror must stand for ask Olive Runcie.

 

I agree - it isn't scary (although it does have one or two 'jumpy' moments) but it does have a very 'you have to stick with it'iness' to it!

 

The ASKOR is obviously ask Olive Runcie - but ask her what. I think Alice just wants someone to 'own up' to what happened ... even if the 'owning up' is only to a tragic accident.

 

Kath

Olive's mum surely has something to hide though (burning the coat etc.)?

I can't really see how everything can be tied up in one more episode, it'll be interesting to see how it will be.

Olive's mum surely has something to hide though (burning the coat etc.)?

I can't really see how everything can be tied up in one more episode, it'll be interesting to see how it will be.

 

Maybe Olive's mum (Liz) will have been burning the duffle coat to protect her daughter. Back in those days - Olive would surely have been taken away from her - seen as a 'sociopath' if it was found she was responsible for another child's death.

 

Times were hard back then.

 

I'm just glad that it looks like it isn't going to be the predictable 'the grandfather did it' scenario.

 

Kath

I think it has something to do with Olive Runcie, when Amy mentioned Alice's name to her, she took it as a shock, and somehow Mark is involved when he was younger.

 

Just saw the episode on iplayer.

I think it has something to do with Olive Runcie, when Amy mentioned Alice's name to her, she took it as a shock, and somehow Mark is involved when he was younger.

 

Just saw the episode on iplayer.

 

Mark can't be involved in any way with Alice's death though. He's supposed to be about 10 years younger than Olive (verified in scenes where he is just a few years older than Scott - from the 80's family scenes.) Olive however - could - have told Mark about what had happened. In which case - Mark IS guilty of not being totally forthcoming to Nisha about his knowledge of the history of the house.

 

I'm sure what is going to be revealed about Alice's death is that is was a tragic accident - but somehow Olive was responsible - as far as a child can be responsible. Ruth is possibly the one who suffers the most ... as all she wanted from the very beginning was to know how Alice had come to her death ... answers that weren't given to her to give her closure.

 

Its been mooted on some other forums (and two short scenes showing wasps) that this could feature somewhere in the final episode and the revelation of what happened to Alice. I'll tell you what - whether it transpires or not - whoever came up with the idea should be a scriptwriter.

 

Kath