Fair fair enough, I'd say the same if any of you lot thought my precious anime comedies were shit after the first episode, that first episode just felt like Adult Swim personified. I'll get round to it at some point, as soon as the hysteria has worn off a bit.

 

Good summary of Game Of Thrones, particularly this line: I mean, I'm not claiming to be a book original considering I only discovered the show about Season 3 but there was a Hollywood-esque feel to this year's offering that wasn't present in early seasons and though it seems like the easy way to end the series I wasn't too convinced - they didn't kill off enough people. I don't like killing off characters but I do hope Season 8 sees a bit of a higher casualty rate just so the end means something. But basically this was all setup to the final teased since season 1 confrontation of the White Walkers against humanity so I've been mainly seeing Season 7 as the piece-moving season ready for the final arc and I'll judge how well it did that when I see how the show ends itself.

 

And if we ever get to compare it to how The Winds Of Winter does it, so much the better.

 

As someone who has never read the Game of Thrones books, and has watched the show since it very first aired I think there are a few reasons why it has become Hollywood-esque which is absolutely totally true. The show just blew up in between Seasons 3 and 4, I mean it was quite a hit for HBO already but this was when it started to become a phenomena. Obviously in my opinion I think if the writers had their way they would have not split the 7th and 8th seasons up and instead have 1 final season of 10 episodes, but obviously HBO have decided differently to increase the longevity of the show.

 

Think I am going to check The Handmaid's Tale out now, have never really thought it would be my thing, but after reading the reviews on here and also checking out some other stuff I think I might actually like it.

The Handmaid's Tale really was a strong watch, especially in this weird world where it... doesn't seem as out of the ordinary as it should. Really dark in parts but it makes it all the more effective...

 

Still crossing my fingers for a Grey’s/The Good Doctor Post but this is looking nicely arranged so far!

Well I've not watched those either so, you're more then welcome to do a post for those yourself (or any other fan of those)!

just another general reminder that the posts contain spoilers

 

LINE OF DUTY

 

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Broadcast: 26 March - 30 April

Channel: BBC One

 

Line of Duty got an upgrade from BBC Two to BBC One this year with star power Thandie Newton and BBC favourite Jason Watkins added to the cast. The series focuses on an anti-corruption unit and this time around they were focusing in on DCI Roz Huntley who couldn't portray herself as more cold if she tried. Suspicions are raised as they believe evidence points to the arrested suspect's innocence which Roz is trying to cover up so that she can prove herself that she's able to solve a serious case.

 

As it is Line of Duty, it all escalates rather quickly with the end of episode one forcing you to the edge of your seat as new characters Ifield and Huntley become involved in a fight. In an extremely newly iconic moment, Huntley is presumed dead, Ifield is about to cut her into tiny bits to cover it up until Huntely opens her eyes just as the chainsaw is above her head! It was a brilliant moment and that was only the first episode!! Plenty more twists and turns developed with suspicions raised against all the characters and the country started to ask WHO is Balaclava man??

 

Thandie was absolutely brilliant as Roz, who follows poor Lindsey Denton as a new character that you both root for and root against as she exposes her character flaws. Her life tumbles down a spiral, with the more she tries to fix things for herself, the more trouble she creates. She's brilliantly cold and always tries to be one step ahead despite often being one step behind. Line of Duty is particularly known for its tense interview scenes and an upgrade to BBC One thankfully didn't affect the length of these! We got a new brilliant one as they interviewed Huntley who looked in danger until she turned the cards back round on Hastings. This helped the series to also focus on its larger long-running plot as we learn more about let's say the 'ultimate' corrupt policeman. Suspicions start to be raised against Hastings as his character is slightly retconned and changed to fit the plot. We know that this 'bad guy' begins with a H, putting many characters in the frame...

 

Line of Duty is a brilliantly tense watch. It can be possibly slightly trashy in the overblown drama scales but it is so easy to look past that, especially when the show can do this as well as devoting half an hour to an interview scene! Series 4 was just as impressive as the previous series, building up a new tense story with a really interesting lead character as you wonder where her head lies and if she's good or bad. The show has been renewed for at least two more series and so it will be interesting to see how the larger scale plot plays out!

For me, the one-off event dramas have been the highlights this year UK wise. The Moorside and Three Girls were both incredible pieces of drama that brought events that we all know from the news to life. I hope there's more of these types of drama in the pipeline for 2018!

 

International wise, it was all about Game of Thrones! A stunning series for it and so hyped for the final series (even if it's ages away </3).

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS

 

 

Broadcast: 13 January

Channel: Netflix

 

omg did this actually happen?? After what felt like and actually was YEARS after the first announcement, January 13th 2017 was the date that we finally got the A Series of Unfortunate Events TV series. More importantly, we finally got a book adapted that wasn't the first three already seen in the Jim Carey movie! ASOUE is my second favourite book series (Harry Potter obvs first), having read them all multiple times. I was so excited for this and it didn't disappoint.

 

Each book takes the form of two episodes, allowing all the details of every book to really be explored as well as expanding on the mysteries featured in the books. Already we were able to learn or understand more about VFD so I'm really looking forward to seeing that expanded further in future episodes. The show really nailed the tone of the books whilst establishing itself as a series in its own right. It kept all the black humour and the odd narration of Lemony Snicket which really helped it feel as though the books were coming to life. I feel Lemony's narration is really crucial to the tone and it does help it gain that black humour whilst also developing the story (rather than perhaps just telling it).

 

I had been uncertain about the casting and I'm still not particularly certain on Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf but he does give it his all in his own way (I'm just not sure if his way is what I hope from Olaf). I guess it does make sense though due to Olaf being the head of a theatre group. Violet and Klaus are really good casting but, again, I was perhaps uncertain on Lemony. Mr Poe is a real standout for me though, which was really unexpected. He s absolutely hilarious and given all the best lines, along with his wife!

 

It was difficult to judge the first three stories because we have already seen an interpretation of them that also had the author's input in them. They therefore did feel perhaps slightly similar but again, I loved the extra little details. I was particularly happy that we got the Anxious Clown restaurant! The story is able to build up a lot sooner and benefits from the series nature and helps give greater purpose for the Baulderlaire's from the start, rather than being tossed from family to place to family until a certain book. I loved how it also subverted expectations with that twist at the end of the first episode, only for it to be turned on its head again, paving the way for a great introduction to some main characters for Series 2.

 

I'm SOO intrigued to see how it develops with later series as this one really met my very high expectations and I always welcome more knowledge and answers on the series' mysteries.

DOCTOR FOSTER

 

 

Broadcast: 5 September - 3 October

Channel: BBC One

 

Doctor Foster returned for its second (and final?) series this year after a two year wait. The first had been a masterclass in a tense build up to an epic finale and it was so good that I really questioned why there was a need for a second series. My doubts were thankfully unfounded as the second series turned out to be just as good.

 

We picked up two years later, with Simon & Kate returning to Parminster with an invite to their wedding reception and housewarming party. It kickstarts another five episodes of trouble as Simon and Gemma show that they can’t put each other behind them as they try and one-up each other and catch each other out. It creates some really fantastic dialogue and character moments and the success of the show is based on the characters. The show has a very simple and natural premise at its heart but it’s the characters (and of course the acting!) that really elevates this into something special as they aren’t…let’s say too normal.

 

Tom, their son, becomes increasingly affected by the split due to his dad’s move back home. He flits between the two and gets into greater trouble in school and with his attitude towards women. Kate also gets suspicious, with the help from Gemma, as she realises the cheater may now be cheating on her. Once again, it builds to a brilliant finale as all these elements combine together and we’re left wanting to find out the true extent of the consequences. I really think it ended on the perfect note as the theme of the series, particularly the second, was that Simon and Gemma are too enthralled with each other in every sense and full consequences of that have a devastating impact on both of them.

 

There are already people pushing for a third series but, if one were to happen, it won’t be for a long while yet. It might be interesting to catch up in a few years time but I feel very satisfied with how things have ended with a second fantastic series.