The Hour season 2

[shapinglight]

I've gone non-post-y again, I know. Apologies.

Anyway, did anyone but me watch the first episode of the new series of The Hour?

Spoilers behind cut.



If not, I guess I'll just witter on to myself here.

I thought it was absolutely wonderful. The writing seemed tighter than in season 1, with lots of great lines and character moments. Dominic West is brilliant as Hector. What a complete and utter git!

I'm not usually much of a Romola Garai fan, but I loved Bel in this episode - felt really bad for her at the end there, when she discovered that Freddie had married a French Jean Seberg lookalike. And of course Ben Whishaw as Freddie sparks so well off both Bel and Hector. You can see that the three of them really would make a great team, if only Freddie and Hector could get over their dislike of each other (it's a bit like Spike/Buffy/Angel really). The supporting characters are all great too. I love Anna Chancellor's world weary Lix, Peter Capaldi steals the show whatever he's in, and the one silent scene of Oona Chaplin as Marnie Madden with the table full of cakes that no one will ever eat was really well done. I do hope that she'll do something a little more positive with her anger at Hector than just bake, though.

The plots simmering in the background - gangsters in Soho, the Notting Hill race riots, dubious goings on in Parliament- are all fascinating. We'll see how they all develop.

Okay, will stop now. I've run out of superlatives anyway.

Comments

[ningloreth.livejournal.com]

I thought the embryonic plots really showed the pay off of a '50s setting. And we get all the '50s eye candy thrown in.

But, oh, Freddie, what were you thinking of? Just when Bel had begun to see the light!

I liked the poor girl who got beaten up -- I do hope she doesn't end up dead, though it looks like she will. And I loved the glimpses of Julian Rhind-Tutt's character with the young man -- still totally buttoned-up.

And I've said it before, but I would kill for Bel's wardrobe (and my younger body back, so I could wear it).

[reginaspina.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I haven't seen this yet, but I'm so heartened that the Freddie/Bel romance seems to be over. I ... really dislike the trope that if a man pines for a woman who's not attracted to him for long enough, she'll eventually see the light and fall in love with him!

Glad Hector is still around! He was definitely my favorite character from season 1.

[ex_peasant441]

Still not watching this for all the same reasons as before but I admit to a twinge of regret when I saw Peter Capaldi was in it, because yes, he is always brilliant.

[shapinglight]

And we get all the '50s eye candy thrown in.

Yes. All those lovely suits. And I forgot to mention Julian Rhind-Tutt, which is unforgiveable. He's wonderful - so smarmy.

And I've said it before, but I would kill for Bel's wardrobe (and my younger body back, so I could wear it).

I loved her red outfit. She looked gorgeous.

[shapinglight]

but I'm so heartened that the Freddie/Bel romance seems to be over. I ... really dislike the trope that if a man pines for a woman who's not attracted to him for long enough, she'll eventually see the light and fall in love with him!

Hmm, I'm not convinced it's over, even if Freddie has got married. And unfortunately, they are playing it so far in exactly the way you hate. :(

It's still good, though, and Hector is very much around. Fascinating character - a complete git, yet he's a war hero. Also, Oona Chaplin is way more interesting as Marnie than she is as Talisa.

[shapinglight]

Still not watching this for all the same reasons as before but I admit to a twinge of regret when I saw Peter Capaldi was in it, because yes, he is always brilliant.

Honestly? I think you're depriving yourself of a treat for no good reason. The show has as little relation to anything your grandfather did as Homeland does to the real CIA, and is just a bloody good drama with some really interesting characters in it.

[vampirefever.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything you've said.

I think Peter Capaldi was brilliant and so much more interesting than the 1st series boss. It's so nice to have a British drama that is as good as the HBO ones without being ridiculous (Hunter/Downton etc.)

[ex_peasant441]

It still makes me too uncomfortable. Especially after everything that has happened the last few weeks.

And I'm not short of things to watch at the moment :D

[spikereader.livejournal.com]

I didn't really pay attention to the first series of The Hour until the last episode, and then really wished I had! So I was right there from the start on Wednesday, and loved every minute (apart from Freddie's beard, possibly).

[shapinglight]

I think Peter Capaldi was brilliant and so much more interesting than the 1st series boss

I don't know if he's better exactly - I've always liked Anton Lesser - but he's certainly a breath of fresh air. Looking forward to learning more about Mr Brown's past with Lix.

[shapinglight]

I suspect Freddie's beard won't last long, since he's supposed to be co-presenting.

[lonelybrit]

So so glad to have this show back on our screens. Don't suppose you know how many eps this series will have?

All the actors are brilliant in this, I was beginning to think I'd imagined their S1 chemistry but nope, S2 was as good as I remembered if not better :)

Agreeing with everyone about Capaldi - loved his Mr Brown and how he interacts with all the different members of the team. I am also fascinated by Hector, you can tell we're heading for a meltdown but on what front exactly remains to be seen. And I will laugh (but not be surprised) if actually what 'saves' him in the end is Freddie since although they rile each other up so much, at times they can also bring out the best in each other.

Roll on next week!

[shapinglight]

Well, according to BBC America, it's only six episodes again, but if they maintain the quality I'm happy with that.

Hector, Bel and Freddie a are great trio. I know it's probably wishful thinking on my part, but I hope the three will come to some kind of accommodation by the end of it.

I think I can see what Hector's meltdown will be about. I also have a theory about who beat up the girl from the nightclub. We'll see.

[thespikeofit.livejournal.com]

I watched. I had somewhat mixed feelings about the first series - loved the cast, less sure about the plotting - but couldn't resist the prospect of Peter Capaldi joining the cast so made sure to tune in this time. So far I think it's all looking very promising and I'm hoping for lots of Hector/Bel/Freddie goodness as well as the potential for some fun Lix/Randall backstory.

[shapinglight]

Hello. Very nice to see you. I agree about the plotting in the first series. It didn't help that they couldn't quite seem to work out what the show was about. Was it a drama about the first proper TV news show, or was it a spy story? Once they'd decided it was a spy story, things improved no end.

The characters are great. The three leads have such chemistry, and the secondary characters are all great.