Ashes to Ashes – Why the subtitles?
The third installment of Ashes to Ashes was one of the filler variety. The plot involved a serial rapist who preyed on “impure” prostitutes. It was mildly interesting, but I was hoping for a few more clues as to how and why Alex Drake is stuck in 1981. I was denied. Instead, there was a glimpse of her daughter, another freaky appearance by Pierrot, and a quick flashback of her parents right before their car exploded.
Since the episode was so-so, allow me to go off on a bit of a rant. I noticed something that used to irk me when I watched Life on Mars. One word: subtitles. The last time I checked, the British speak the English language. In fact, isn’t the language named after them? Well, that hasn’t stopped someone from subtitling a great portion of Gene Hunt’s dialogue. Is the heavy accent and street slang really that incomprehensible? I watch a good deal of Brit series, so perhaps I’m just accustomed to the dialect.
Ashes to Ashes – Boom goes the dynamite
Alex Drake seems to be settling into to her 1981 digs nicely, thank you. She does keep seeing visions of the creepy birthday clown Pierott, but you can’t expect complete normalcy when you’ve been transported to a make-believe time and place after being shot. I quite enjoyed Alex’s greeting to her precinct brethren: “Good morning imaginary constructs.” Unlike Life on Mars, this series has a more light-hearted feel to it, which fits the silly ’80s to a tee.
In episode two, Alex, Gene and the rest of the fantastical coppers are after a mad bomber threatening to blow-up the wedding of Lady Diana to Prince Charles. Bundles of dynamite are popping up across London, much to the chagrin of Alex and a poor little pooch. Explosions don’t do much to ease Alex considering her parents were killed by a car bomb. Read the rest of this entry »
BBC Babble – Top Gear redux
I couldn’t help myself. Despite having already extolled the many virtues of Top Gear a couple months ago, Monday night’s episode was too good to pass up. By the bye, if you’ve never seen this BBC America institution, you’re missing out. It has action, intrigue, comedy and steel smashing into more steel. What’s not to like? It has quickly become one of my favorite shows on television. The best part is you don’t have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy its many charms.
Normally, a sixty-minute episode will feature a couple segments that are ho-hum in nature. Not on Monday. The whole damn affair was brill. The masked driver known simply as, “The Stig” — whom I neglected to mention in my earlier review — had the pleasure of test-driving a posh Lexus IS F. He shredded the track, which is nothing new, and sold me on the Lexus’ four-door power. Too bad I can only afford a Ford Festiva.
Ashes to Ashes – 1981 still looks awful
It’s been nearly two years since Life on Mars ended its 16 episode run on BBC One. I, for one, have missed it. I gave the US remake a chance, but it paled in comparison, which is probably why ABC dumped it last week. Attempting to repackage the series’ unique genre-blending structure for American audiences proved to be a mistake. Oh well; no harm done. Luckily, our friends across the pond decided to produce a Life on Mars sequel. Ashes to Ashes premiered last night on BBC America. Despite a few hiccups, it looks like it could be a winner.
The series stars Keeley Hawes (MI-5) as DI Alex Drake, a psychological profiler living in 2008 with her daughter Molly. An opening hostage situation leads to Alex being kidnapped by a pale-faced stranger who claims to know her long deceased parents. After babbling incoherently, the criminal shoots Alex, which in turn ships her back to 1981, where she awakens on a party boat dressed as a hooker. Ahh… the ’80s – when there was a hooker on every corner. Pardon my nostalgia.
Warning! Warning! If you’ve never seen the original Life on Mars you may want to stop reading and attend to some overdue yard work. SPOILERS DEAD AHEAD!! Read the rest of this entry »
BBC Babble – Living in squalor
My ex-girlfriend was fond of shitty television. She had a sixth sense when it came to locating the most vacuous, albeit addictive, shows on the DirecTV lineup. One of her must-sees was How Clean Is Your House?, airing weekdays at 4pm on BBC America. Domestic divas Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie, along with their army of cleaners, visit the most disgusting dwellings throughout England to school the sloppy owners on how to keep house.
I’m talking about pigsties here people. Dust buildup and dirty dishes are for sissies. Kim and Aggie are extreme, baby. They dive into the filthiest abodes imaginable. This year they’ve brought their sponges and scrub-brushes across the Atlantic to tackle the worst the United States has to offer. I caught one of the first episodes and it did nothing to disappoint. I’ve got two words for you: cat puke.
BBC Babble – Adultery in the UK
When I read about Mistresses – BBC America’s newest hour-long drama – I have to admit, I wasn’t jumping for joy. Four chicks whining about their unfulfilled relationships with men seemed like an overabundance of estrogen. I’m not one to dismiss a show without giving it a watch, so I took in the premiere last Friday night, stiff drink in hand.
Any time a series opens up with a funeral, you know you’re in for something interesting. Bodies in caskets aside, the debut featured assisted suicide, an office sex scene, and lesbians. Now that’s how you get out of the blocks quickly. I hope the writers didn’t blow their wad after just one episode. Not to worry. It appears they will be able to get some mileage from this collection of philandering birds.
BBC Babble – Coming in 2009
I’ve reviewed a number of good shows already here at the Babble. BBC America doesn’t appear to be slowing down, as they have a host of new series, movies and fresh seasons of established faves on tap for 2009. Here’s a quick preview of what’s in store for the coming months.
- Mistresses – Debuts this Friday night at 8pm. Its normal time slot will be Fridays at 9pm. Four 30-something friends ponder their relationship woes. They all share one thing in common: infidelity. Looks like a Brit version of Sex and the City. Let’s hope it’s not as obnoxious. I’ll give it a watch and do a more extensive review down the road.
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