mandragora (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mandragora) wrote2003-06-01 04:36 pm
mandragora) wrote2003-06-01 04:36 pm
Strange
So, new series on the Beeb. As the Radio Times put it, it's a cross between Buffy, X Files and Jonathan Creek.
It was fun.
The protagonist - John Strange of the title - is a defrocked priest. Rather disappointingly, I think he's actually CofE, not Catholic, which is much less glamorous. But still. The Church chucked him out, because of his belief (obsession) with demons. And of course, he's youngish (early 30s, I guess) and quirkily attractive, with gorgeous eyes.
The female lead is a snarky, beautiful nurse called Jude. She's mother to a young son Joey, who may, or may not, be a demon himself. His father was, you see, and Jude just doesn't know whether her son has taken after his father, so to speak. She and Strange got together to banish the demon father in the pilot episode, which was shown several months ago.
Strange is assisted by a computer geek called Toby, who is (of course) young and good looking and there are definitely slashy vibes there between the two men. Mind you, there are also vibes between Strange and Jude, which I'm also enjoying.
Then there's the sinister Canon Black (played by Ian Richardson, camping it up delightfully), who Has It In for Strange, and wants to keep everyone away from Strange's influence. He comes across as a (bit) older Snape, also dresses all in black robes. His ultimate allegiance is uncertain. Is he simply misguided when he doubts Strange, and the existence of demons. Or is he really a demon himself...
The final member of the regular cast is Kevin, who has Down's syndrome and is also psychic.
The special effects are up to the usual BBC standard, i.e. crap, as fans of Blakes 7 and Dr Who will know all too well. However the premise is great and of course it makes sense that demons would be attracted to holy places, and those who work
within the various religions.
Some lovely dialogue, too. Such as Canon Black, when talking about having to go to a gospel service (much to his distaste): "I can't stand all this happy clappy stuff. If God had meant us all to bang tambourines the Twelve would have been gypsies."
Also, Jude, having found a distressed Kevin on her doorstep is discussing why he's upset with Strange and Toby. The latter comments that Kevin has turned up at his place too, and how it can be really inconvenient. Why, says Toby, once Kevin turned up when I was having sex! Said in the tones of a young man who is desperate to impress beautiful older woman. "Yeah," says Jude is sympathetic tones, "So, on your own were you?
Giggle. Poor Toby.
This week's story featured a demon who sucked out people's life energy, causing them to age prematurely and die. I didn't work out who the demon was until near the end (it was the gospel vicar's wife, the demon having originally come from Africa), although I was yelling at the characters for being stupid at one point when it was obvious that they might be reading name of the demon upside down, hence why they couldn't find any info on it.
I shall definitely be watching it again. It shows a lot of promise.
Other thing, according to this week's Radio Times, Clark will definitely not lose his virginity on Smallville. Hmm, and here was I thinking that he might have already lost it with Jessie... Looks like we won't be getting that Very Special Episode that some fans have been dreading, er, anticipating, when Clark and Lana Get Together after all. However, I don't know how good the source is, the report is that after consideration 'the producers' have definitely decided agin Superstud Clark.
It was fun.
The protagonist - John Strange of the title - is a defrocked priest. Rather disappointingly, I think he's actually CofE, not Catholic, which is much less glamorous. But still. The Church chucked him out, because of his belief (obsession) with demons. And of course, he's youngish (early 30s, I guess) and quirkily attractive, with gorgeous eyes.
The female lead is a snarky, beautiful nurse called Jude. She's mother to a young son Joey, who may, or may not, be a demon himself. His father was, you see, and Jude just doesn't know whether her son has taken after his father, so to speak. She and Strange got together to banish the demon father in the pilot episode, which was shown several months ago.
Strange is assisted by a computer geek called Toby, who is (of course) young and good looking and there are definitely slashy vibes there between the two men. Mind you, there are also vibes between Strange and Jude, which I'm also enjoying.
Then there's the sinister Canon Black (played by Ian Richardson, camping it up delightfully), who Has It In for Strange, and wants to keep everyone away from Strange's influence. He comes across as a (bit) older Snape, also dresses all in black robes. His ultimate allegiance is uncertain. Is he simply misguided when he doubts Strange, and the existence of demons. Or is he really a demon himself...
The final member of the regular cast is Kevin, who has Down's syndrome and is also psychic.
The special effects are up to the usual BBC standard, i.e. crap, as fans of Blakes 7 and Dr Who will know all too well. However the premise is great and of course it makes sense that demons would be attracted to holy places, and those who work
within the various religions.
Some lovely dialogue, too. Such as Canon Black, when talking about having to go to a gospel service (much to his distaste): "I can't stand all this happy clappy stuff. If God had meant us all to bang tambourines the Twelve would have been gypsies."
Also, Jude, having found a distressed Kevin on her doorstep is discussing why he's upset with Strange and Toby. The latter comments that Kevin has turned up at his place too, and how it can be really inconvenient. Why, says Toby, once Kevin turned up when I was having sex! Said in the tones of a young man who is desperate to impress beautiful older woman. "Yeah," says Jude is sympathetic tones, "So, on your own were you?
Giggle. Poor Toby.
This week's story featured a demon who sucked out people's life energy, causing them to age prematurely and die. I didn't work out who the demon was until near the end (it was the gospel vicar's wife, the demon having originally come from Africa), although I was yelling at the characters for being stupid at one point when it was obvious that they might be reading name of the demon upside down, hence why they couldn't find any info on it.
I shall definitely be watching it again. It shows a lot of promise.
Other thing, according to this week's Radio Times, Clark will definitely not lose his virginity on Smallville. Hmm, and here was I thinking that he might have already lost it with Jessie... Looks like we won't be getting that Very Special Episode that some fans have been dreading, er, anticipating, when Clark and Lana Get Together after all. However, I don't know how good the source is, the report is that after consideration 'the producers' have definitely decided agin Superstud Clark.