HANNIBAL, 1.5 - 'Coquilles'

If you didn't choose to watch episode 4 in its webisode form, I'm pleased to report 'Coquilles' still makes perfect sense, although skipping episode 4 completely may impact the next episode dealing with Abigail Hobbs's character (which made up the bulk of the webisode's content). This fifth instalment of Hannibal was more of a 'killer of the week' storyline, although it contained momentous moments for Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) as his character's biggest contribution to the series so far. I know a few people grumpily assumed Fishburne had been given a stock 'boss character', but 'Conquilles' gave Crawford some details and subtleties I suspected were always there. Fishburne's a great actor and I doubt he'd have come aboard Hannibal if he knew it was going to be just another variation on his three-year stint on CSI. (Amusing to note he took over from William Petersen on that show, who originally played Hannibal's Will Graham character in Manhunter, too.)

HANNIBAL, 1.4 - 'Œuf'

As you're probably aware, the fourth episode of Hannibal was pulled from NBC's schedule because of unease about the Boston Marathon bombings (from creator Bryan Fuller) and the Newtown massacre from last December. The episode centred on a character played by Molly Shannon who was training children to kill other children. The uncut episode will likely air in he UK once Hannibal begins on 7 May, so I'll catch-up with the episode in its entirety next month. Meanwhile, I caved in and watched NBC's six-part "webisode" they released online--which essentially contains all of episode 4's serialized scenes, unrelated to that week's individual story, but helpful to understand the episode 'Coquilles' that aired in its place. So here are some very brief thoughts about 20-minutes of 'Œuf':

MSN TV: BBC2's THE POLITICIAN'S HUSBAND

Over at MSN TV today: I've reviewed the first episode of BBC2's three-part political drama THE POLITICIAN'S HUSBAND, starring David Tennant and Emily Watson as a married couple whose careers in Westminster start going in opposite directions...

A spiritual sequel to Paula Milne's award-winning drama The Politician's Wife from 1995, The Politician's Husband is considerably less compelling and entertaining on the evidence of this first part. That's not to say it's entirely devoid of merit, although I doubt it'll be troubling Bafta and Emmy voters come awards season. The Politician's Husband concerns the repercussions of MP Aiden Hoynes (David Tennant) resigning from office over a heartfelt disagreement with the Prime Minister's immigration policy. This shock move is misinterpreted by the media as a bid for leadership. Aiden's career is dealt a crushing blow when his closest supporter Bruce Babbish (Ed Stoppard) goes against him in public, forcing Aiden into political obscurity... listening to elderly constituents' trivial gripes.

Continue reading at MSN TV...

HBO option Guillermo Del Toro-produced horror drama MONSTER and 'The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death'

Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy) has attached himself to the potential HBO series Monster, based on the Manga comics created by Naoki Urasawa published between 1994 and 2001. Monster concerns a doctor on a search for the world's most evil sociopath (possibly the Antichrist), who is inhabiting the body of a 12-year-old boy the doctor saved from death, and now threatens the safety of billions.

The comic-books were originally going to be adapted into a movie written by Josh Olson (A History of Violence), but it proved too difficult because of the story's complexity. Del Toro will now co-write the TV pilot with Steven Thompson, and likely direct if HBO take it to series.

In related news, Del Toro is also producing a TV adaptation of Corinne May Botz's 2004 non-fiction book The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, about Frances Glessner Lee; a man who recreated macabre crime scenes using doll houses and thus influenced modern forensic investigations.

MSN TV: Channel 4's 10 O'CLOCK LIVE

Today over at MSN TV: my review of Channel 4's satirical comedy 10 O'CLOCK LIVE, presented by Jimmy Carr, Charlie Brooker, David Mitchell and Lauren Laverne.

It's considered to be the UK's answers to America's The Daily Show; or rather it aspires to be, but falls short of the target. 10 O'Clock Live launched in 2011 to widespread derision, and yet the formula's barely changed in the two years since - beyond the loss of segments like David Mitchell's one-on-one political interviews. However, I personally don't think 10 O'Clock Live's that bad when you consider the horrendousness of its forbearers. Who remember's Tonightly with Jason Manford? Now that was painful. It helps that this show's four presenters are funny people in their respective jobs, although there's a continuing problem with Lauren Laverne; she doesn't really fit.

Continue reading at MSN TV...

MAD MEN, 6.4 - 'To Have and to Hold'

A rare episode not written or co-written by creator Matthew Weiner, and a very interesting one because of its focus on woman (mostly ex-secretaries) that are part of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce's history. I particularly liked getting some insight into Dawn (Teyonah Parris), the agency's first black secretary, who got into trouble with Joan (Christina Hendrick) and almost got Scarlett (Sadie Alexandru) fired until Harry (Rich Somner) stepped in to save his cherished secretary from unemployment. It's easy to assume Dawn must love being part of this world as racial integration takes a tentative foothold on society, but instead she makes it very clear that her working day offers nothing but isolation and affirming an opinion that her colleagues and bosses are "scared" all the time.

HANNIBAL, 1.3 - 'Potage'

I'm still trying to get a firm grasp on what Hannibal's going to be as a first season, but after three episodes it seems to be a dissection of the repercussions following a notorious serial killer's death; most notably on the surviving daughter of the culprit, Abigail Hobbs (Kacey Rohl), in regard to her community's response to this evil having existed in their midst. That's a fascinating thing to explore over multiple episodes, although I'm still not sure it justifies a whole season yet. Maybe the 'serial killer of the week' element will become more prominent soon, but it seems ongoing strand is Garrett Jacob Hobbs and the existence of a cleverer copycat--whom the audience know is Dr Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) himself, in an effort to tease and mentally cajole lead investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy).

DOCTOR WHO, 7.9 - 'Hide'

After Neil Cross's disappointing "The Rings of Akhaten" (although I know it has its fans), he bounced back with this quasi-haunted house story "Hide". It was the first episode he wrote for Doctor Who, so perhaps this was an idea closest to his heart. I love it when the show scratches its horror itches, so really enjoyed how this episode evoked the mid-'70s Tom Baker era--in Hammer-influenced episodes like "Pyramids of Mars". There was also a dash of Nigel Kneale's Quatermass in Professor Palmer's character, and I later discovered Cross's original intention was for "Hide" to be an official crossover of the two classic British sci-fi shows. Shame that didn't happen.

MSN TV: ITV's BROADCHURCH - finale

Over at MSN TV today: I've reviewed the finale of ITV's murder-mystery drama BROADCHURCH, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman. Did you guess who killed Danny Latimer?

It could have been a diluted version of The Killing, but Broadchurch crafted its own identity to charm nine million loyal viewers. Much of that is down to the difference in approach, as this was a less depressing affair, despite the child-killing subject matter. Maybe that's partly down to its idyllic seaside locale, but Broadchurch also embraced the British tradition of a good murder-mystery. It also didn't outstay its welcome over a lean eight weeks. A good murder-mystery's only as good as its final chapter.

Continue reading at MSN TV...

The hectic weekend

Sorry, life got in the way of a few things I was intending to blog about over the weekend. Rest assured that reviews for Hannibal and Doctor Who will be along before their next episodes air. Things should be back to normal by tomorrow or Wednesday. I guess this is a good place to ask any questions, or pass on some recommendations. Is there anything it's a shame I'm not covering? How are people enjoying my occasional audioboos? You may also like to know my annual 'TV Pilots I Want To See' feature is being compiled for publication very soon.