British TV/General Discussion

The really sorry thing is Ms. Rivett, the victim in all this, has been pushed to the side and is referred to as "the nanny" (I did it myself), when her unfortunate death is at the crux of it all. The story of Lord and Lady Lucan and their messy lives is what has driven this mystery all these years, not Ms. Rivett.

Your  so  right  Brit  ....  about  Sandra Rivett.  She was totally forgotten in  all  this  Lucan  mess . Her family even said so at the  1975  inquiry .  She had  2 children I believe.  One born in 1964 and the second born in 1967 .  Both  boys , the 1967 was  Neil  Berriman  (  can't explain where the name Berriman came from )  puts himself out  to the press  ,  not so much the first one , can't find anything on him.    Have a photo of  Neil at his mothers grave . 

Son of nanny killed by Lord Lucan wants to meet peer’s family with location evidence - Mirror Online

This article kinda makes me feel he likes the attention  from the press , likes the dramatics of it all.  However , I could be wrong.  

Still plugging away at  The Crown  ,  on  S5  now  ,  at the part where Princess  Diana  is collaborating  with   Andrew  Morton  about her now famous book.  Actress  who plays the older Diana in  S5  kinda grates on me ,  the ways she lowers her head and rolls her eyes up to look straight ahead .  They are a  tough  family to be married  into .  Enjoyed  the early seasons  over the latter ..  just pushing thru it now.    3/4  way thru DI Ray ...  not a bad  police  series , watchable , but nothing special about it.  Will watch  Professor  ' Oddball '  T   tonight  ,  looking forward to that .  

Edited  Note  :   This  Australian  '  find  '   turned out to be wrong  as  all the rest .  

This story gets murkier and murkier - it rivals fiction - if you didn't know that it actually happened who would believe it. So Sandra Rivett had a son (Neil) - who she put up for adoption when he was a baby - (I am going to assume because she was unmarried) and he only finds out ten years ago that she is his biological mother?! What else could possibly be left to find out about these people. 🙄 Unbelievable.

I read the comments and it seems people agree with you (as I do) - they don't think that Lord L. would have ever come to justice regarding Ms. Rivett's murder as the aristocratic clan would have closed ranks and money and power would have gotten him off - not necessarily his money, as he had none at the time, but his friends among the Aristo ranks. 

Spoilers....  Opening episode of S2, DI Ray.

This series is just depressing, there is no joy for anyone, anywhere, nor an ounce of comradery among the team (although we are seeing a slight improvement).  Ray is continuing to deal with racism everywhere she turns, and doubt from her superiors - and that doesn't seem to be improving even though they are trying to make an appearance of accepting her - "try to do it our way" (or something to that effect) is what she is being told. Kudos to her (HR) attorney - got a kick out of her, definitely on her game. 

I think if you are a fan of "Prime Suspect" with Helen Mirren, DI Ray would be right up your alley. I see similarities in the feel of the show, Jane was dealing with prejudices of her own and everything was a continual fight for her. 

The turf war is a decent storyline, but it seems from next week's teaser we are going to be moving in to the added situation of child trafficking - so we are going from overall depressing to outright evil. Child trafficking storylines are always the worst. They are really piling it on.

Sometimes series start out glum - look at "Endeavour", Bright was a right ass the first few seasons, but eventually that team became the heart of the series. And, nobody could be more glum than Piet of "Van Der Valk" fame - well, DI Ray may have him beat, but his investigation team pulls that series together, brings him in to the mix, and you get drawn in to it. 

For me, if you are going to do bleak and dark then let the masters do it, no one does it better than Scandinavian (Nordic) noir. When the Brits do it, it doesn't work for me. Never has. We all know my feelings on the first three seasons of KB's "Wallander" - one of the worst things the Brits ever produced. 

I started this season, and will continue on because I am now in it, but after this I am out. I'll let Ray, just as I did Tennison, continue on without me.

Deedee, the last episode of the latest season of "McDonald & Dodds" - the one about the weddings... was so good. I know it was a bit far fetched, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great to see Jason Hughes again. 

Certainly ended the season on a better note than it began - I rolled my eyes on that first episode (this coming from someone who loves the blues). With all the stories they could have picked, that is not one I would have chosen for a detective show based in Bath, UK. I felt it was stereotypical and crossed the line in to appropriation. I am sure most people who watch the series didn't see it that way, but that is how it came off to me.

Had the last 2  Eps. of  Grantchester in  PVR  so I watched  them  last  night.  The last ep.  was the departure of  Will  Davenport   so next week we get the new  guy.  Won't make any difference  the format will remain the same , I'm sure .   Keating will still have the vicar in  tow thru all his investigating.  Tried to use the  ' Lewis method '  in watching this series but found it didn't work so well in Grantchester .  The  ' Lewis method '  finds me ignoring the main character and looking all around him , concentrating  on the  other characters and the plot lines .   With  Lewis  I could pretend that Morse was on a few day vaca and the story / plot lies were so good that I found it worked .  Not so with  Grantchester , Found it grating  why that vicar guy is in so many scenes  working  along side the  police in investigating  murders .  Sitting in the interview room  along side Keating  questioning  people in  a murder probe just had me rolling my eyes , Peters (  his assistant ) should  be the one sitting in on  questioning sessions  , instead he's treated like a  coffee - getter  by Keating .  Plot lines are weak ...  soo  the Lewis method  just did not work for Grantchester .   Took this one  out of  PVR  as I'm not so interested in  future  viewings.  I thing it's a highly rated show  ,  I just can't see why .  

Solar, I get it, when something doesn't speak to you and gets to the point that it grates on your nerves it is time to move on. Doesn't matter how popular a series is, or who else likes it - if it isn't working for you don't keep at it. Spend your time watching a show you enjoy. Took me awhile to finally get to the point of accepting that I wasn't going to like every PBS series, no matter if it has legions of fans, and that I can say that and let it go.

I'm looking forward to the new vicar (I watched the first episode, will view E2 later in the week) so I am okay with this season of "Grantchester". 

I watched the second episode of "DI Ray" last night and have got to say that I found it an improvement over the first episode. I will admit I FF through some scenes, but overall the episode kept my interest. I'll tell you, they don't stop with that woman, someone is always trying to get at her - now one of her team is complaining behind her back?! At some point her being a constant target is going to become old as all we see is her fighting from every angle - from the higher ups to her own team. I give her character credit for holding her own, but there will be a breaking point - no one can continue with that level of stress on all fronts.

Yeah  Brit  ....  it's  all  give  and  take .   What I lost in  Grantchester , I gained by watching  Professor  ' Oddball ' .  Only sorry that  it's not in production anymore.  Next view is  D.I. Ray  tonight  and will look for all the  land mines laid out for her.  lol  

@solar wrote:
Had the last 2  Eps. of  Grantchester in  PVR  so I watched  them  last  night.  The last ep.  was the departure of  Will  Davenport   so next week we get the new  guy.  Won't make any difference  the format will remain the same , I'm sure .   Keating will still have the vicar in  tow thru all his investigating.  Tried to use the  ' Lewis method '  in watching this series but found it didn't work so well in Grantchester .  The  ' Lewis method '  finds me ignoring the main character and looking all around him , concentrating  on the  other characters and the plot lines .   With  Lewis  I could pretend that Morse was on a few day vaca and the story / plot lies were so good that I found it worked .  Not so with  Grantchester , Found it grating  why that vicar guy is in so many scenes  working  along side the  police in investigating  murders .  Sitting in the interview room  along side Keating  questioning  people in  a murder probe just had me rolling my eyes , Peters (  his assistant ) should  be the one sitting in on  questioning sessions  , instead he's treated like a  coffee - getter  by Keating .  Plot lines are weak ...  soo  the Lewis method  just did not work for Grantchester .   Took this one  out of  PVR  as I'm not so interested in  future  viewings.  I thing it's a highly rated show  ,  I just can't see why .  

I've just got two episodes of Grantchester left which I'll probably finish tonight or tomorrow, and it's basically the same thing over again, just with a bit more growing pains between them at first than before. New guy is fine but overall it's just kind of feeling a bit... tedious. This is three vicars now that are so interested in detective work that they somehow are treated like a policeman like it's a prerequisite for them being sent to Grantchester. The storylines they've had so far just aren't as interesting. It's been renewed for a 10th season, maybe that should be it's last. 

kevin87  ....   no matter how a show is  laid out ( and how much they get carried away at times )  there has to be a certain amount of believability to it.  Our minds can stretch   quite a bit.  But when it comes to Grantchester   the believability  meter is way off the charts.   I  put my own situation  into it and  the revelation  just jumps  off the page at me.  here  goes   .....       '  I  go looking to have  word with my parish priest  about  some matter ..  I go to the church  ,  not  there.  I go to the rectory  ,  not  there .  Can't find him  anywhere  so I give up  the search  Then I come to  find out that  he  spends his time  with  our Police  Detectives  helping them  solve murders.  '    This is just so  rediculous .. it's beyond belief .  As you  say , it's been renewed  for a 10th  season  so there's  lots of people who like it. 

Sadly, the British shows I've come to depend upon seem to have fallen into the Amercian pattern of formulaic laziness and bad writing, witness all of Dick Wolf's dramas. Law and Order sans Michael Moriarty was the least objectionable of his shows.

The good British shows that have come and gone are too numerous to mention. But most were excellent, with a few clunkers to be honest.

Now, Masterpiece is a word thrown around too lightly and PBS is more interested, it seems, in fundraising than quality television purchases. 

Okay, off soapbox. I had to cut short watching Professor T, Grantchester was SO/SO, and DI Ray started out well. However, would a competent female professional put up with the misogyny and racism that Ray is encountering at her job? I did it in 1976, I don't think she would do it in 2024.

Oh well, and so it goes.

Happy Canada Day, Solar and Appara! 

Thanks  Brit  ...  Having a light steady rain that's forecasted till  7:00  tonight .  Feel sorry for people  who organize and participate in parades ... all they want is a dry day .  lol  Good for  watching  some  stuff in  PVR  ,  already watched  Prof.  ' Oddball '.  will get ta  Ray or Cobra  this afternoon .  Happy  4th. , hope it's  dry and  sunny for  ya.  

Happy Canada day, solar, appara. 

For those who get it on their PBS or have PBS Passport, the final season of The Seaside Hotel just dropped. It was excellent, imho.

Thanks  dee  and  Happy  4th.  to  you.   

Thanks, Solar! Weather is good today - hot and slightly cloudy. We have shade on our patio until around 5:00 PM - that's when the sun is directly over us until 6:30 -7:00, so we will be comfortable most of the day.

Happy 4th of July, Deedee! It is the Hubs birthday today so we are celebrating both - barbecuing and having all his favorite "picnic" foods. 

Will be looking out for the final season of "Seaside Hotel" on PBS!

Happy Canada Day to us Canucks!

Happy 4th to the Americans! 

Happy B'day to Mr.Brit!

Happy B'day to me! (back on the 3rd)

As you know, I'm a fan of Grantchester. But -  I was more than ready for Sydney to move on, and was getting tired of the mopey Will, but this fella?  I think he is going to bring the place back to life! 

but this fella?  I think he is going to bring the place back to life! 

Totally agree, Appara! I am so liking this new vicar and he comes with no added baggage - such a refreshing change.

Belated happy birthday to you! TY, I will send your birthday wishes to the hubs. We have an abundance of Cancers in our universe as today is my birthday!  

For all those watching "Di Ray" ... what the he!!, the ending of last week's episode (E3)  - they are sabotaging her at every corner (and it seems every moment).  She had the situation under control and they shot him anyway? Why? Just to get at her?  Yes, Deedee, her situation/standing is becoming beyond believable. 

Happy Happy B'day Brit!!  Hope you had a memorable day!  

DI Ray filled in a few of those blanks in the 4th episode - stop here if you haven't watched!!

If she is building a case against the force, I can see why she wouldn't stand up and tell them where to get off!!   From what I could read from Bottomley's cell phone there are more than a few on the force that want rid of her, and to quickly tie a bow and call the case closed before it's solved.  I hope she finds a special kind of hell to put him through before she tosses him off her team!!  Beardsmore is definitely looking to suspend her, not sure if he is on the wrong side or just an ass!   And now she finds out her boss is/was in a relationship with her new beau!  Nothing is going Ray's way!

With Rav, somebody higher up had to give the 'swat' team the go ahead. Ray was on coms with the negotiator, he was giving her cues?  and they knew she wasn't in danger - except maybe from the swat team who shot around her?

Appara, finished E4 and for me this was the best episode of the season so far. Lots of info, kept my interest and flowed well. Hope the next episode continues in this vein.

What a mess everything is... glad you caught the phone message as I was struggling to read it, although I got the general gist of what was going on. I would be furious with her coworkers (as she is) and I give her credit for maintaining her cool in the situation. From the top to the bottom all we see are bad apples. I do like the woman detective on her team - can't remember her name right now, she seems to be actively trying to solve the case and I am not getting backstabber vibes. I will probably be proved wrong as no one she is dealing with at work is trustworthy. What a terrible bunch they are. The Super just wants her gone - he blames her for everything - the woman can't move without him calling her on the carpet for it. 

I will say she does take too many risks and that is not a good thing. She is pigheaded and being so never works to ones advantage. It isn't helping her in her present situation.

I still don't understand why, other than to make her look bad once again, they (Beardsmore) called the SWAT team in as she clearly had the situation under control and her boss (Henderson) was aware that she was attempting to negotiate - this was one case where she wasn't doing this out there on her own - she informed her team and superior. Can't say what Beardsmore's motivation is beyond his acute racism. Is he corrupt or just a total ass - for the moment I would like to say both, but we will see. 

Which leads me to this question... how does this series move forward for another season when you have a situation where a majority of the individuals she is working with are questionably unfit. Does the series continue on with this level of dysfunction for another season, or do we lose these people and Ray starts afresh?    

Hope you had a happy birthday, Brit.

Which leads me to this question... how does this series move forward for another season when you have a situation where a majority of the individuals she is working with are questionably unfit. Does the series continue on with this level of dysfunction for another season, or do we lose these people and Ray starts afresh?    

What an excellent question, Brit. Perhaps they can give her racism and misogyny once again. Methinks they need new writers.