Friday, October 4, 2013

What Have You Been Watching?: Part Two

Hello everyone!
I'm so sorry for the delay in getting Part Two up. But this is pretty good timing since I'll be covering the rest of the shows that I watched over the summer while most of my favorite shows were on hiatus.

When getting my screen grabs together I realized that like last time, most of these take place long ago. Perhaps it's that I enjoy the costumes, architecture, set designs and of course there is the fact that the writing is pretty damn good as well.

The first show that I watched over the summer is Call The Midwife. Another fantastic show brought to us by PBS. It's now in its second season but unfortunately I don't think it airs here in the states. Although, it might be available via Netflix if you're interested in watching it. Filming will begin soon for its 3rd season, airing in early 2014.

The show focuses on a group of midwives in London during the 1950s. From the nuns at the church where the midwives live to the girls themselves, they all have such hilarious moments and of course there are so many touching moments when the girls go out and care for the expectant mothers across London and its poorer outskirts.

Where Magic City (below) shows us the glamorous side of the 50s with posh hotels, mansions and the 24 hour parties, this one delves into how so many families struggled right after the war and all of the hardships they endured day to day during the 50s, abroad.

Working as an RN for so many years and during the three years that I worked NICU, I attended and assisted with a lot of high risk deliveries but I must say these girls are incredible with their nerves of steel and their ability to deliver babies under the worst circumstances imaginable. Just one of many reasons to love this show. The entire cast is likable and you root for them and everyone they come across as they go about their jobs.


 The girls make their way out to care for the expectant mothers via old bicycle and they navigate their way on broken down, cobblestone streets. That's dedication! Jessica Raine shown here plays, Jenny Lee.

 Miranda Hart plays Chummy Browne. She's hilarious and so endearing as she fumbles her way through her first year as a midwife and her first time catching a mans eye.

 The girls take the night off to enjoy the cinema. (Always get tickled when they throw in a smoker to remind us that it's the 50s.)

 The nuns are a constant in their lives as they provide guidance, shelter and their expertise. Usually with a strong hand.

 When not visiting expectant mothers they can be found at the Church run clinic where the women get their prenatal care.  (I just noticed that little girls hair to the left. What in the world? So funny!)

 The typical home of these expectant mothers. Not the most sanitary conditions to deliver a baby in.

 Another thing that Chummy is hilarious at is trying to master riding a bicycle. 

 Birthing babies!

The girls even find time for a bit of romance. They're all so darn cute.


The second show that I started watching over the summer was Ripper Street which is also in its second season originally airing on BBC.

 Matthew McFayden plays Det. Insp. Edmund Reid. If he looks familiar to you, he played Tom Quinn in the hit BBC series MI-5 from 2002-2011. A great actor who fits the role of detective on the hunt for the Ripper perfectly.

 The show takes place during 1889 in the Whitechapel area of London and straight away we're exposed to the Ripper's work.

 You really do get the feel of the late 1800s as BBC does their period dramas like no other. Top notch!

Adam Rothenberg plays Captain Homer Jackson. Really interesting character. They've cast this one perfectly. Everyone in the lead roles are quite likable and you're drawn in immediately. (Of course we all know that Jack the Ripper was never caught though so there is that one negative on how the show will eventually end unless they wrap it up with their own identity.)

 Another shot of the detail.

Plenty of seedy and twisted characters in this series. I won't spoil anything but overall it's a must see, really enjoyable show if you like this type of drama. There is nudity and of course violence just to give you a warning. Of course that is to be expected with a show based on the crimes of Jack the Ripper.


Another show that just wrapped up its second season and this one airs via STARZ, is Magic City. I really love this one. Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Danny Huston are stand outs in the series which takes place during the 1950s in Miami, Florida. It's centered around the hotel that Anderson's character,  Ike Evans owns and runs while trying to get out from under the grip of Huston's character, The Butcher. A very nasty and cruel mobster. Lots of action, violence and depravity in this one. It's not for the weak at heart if you try to stay away from violence on TV. I would compare it to Boardwalk Empire in that respect.  


 Jeffery Dean Morgan as hotel owner, Ike Evans in the series. (Very easy on the eyes!)

 Danny Huston plays The Butcher. He really was made to play bad guys. Ruthless but you get reeled in quickly and you can't wait to see what that crazy fool will do next.

 Kelly Lynch plays Evan's ex sister-in-law, Meg Bannock. A wealthy and connected, Miami socialite.  If you enjoy Mad Men, you certainly get that feel with this show with the scenery, props and amazing costumes. I was pretty impressed that STARZ has really stepped up its game with this one.

 The Butcher resides behind these gates. Lots of debauchery going on in that estate. (Lots of gorgeous mansions and of course classic cars for all of you automobile fans like myself.)

 Ike Evan's sons played by Christian Cooke and Steven Strait. One works for the D.A.s office which is after his father and the other one is rebellious and living life on the edge. 

 The Butcher and his promiscuous wife, enjoy a day by the hotel pool. (Love the colors and of course the 50s bathing suits.)

 The beautiful Olga Kurylenko plays Ike's feisty second wife, Vera. A former, Havana showgirl.  Every one of her costumes are fab and I would so wear each and every one of them today!

 
 A lot of back and forth between these two as they argue over the hotel and Ike's mob problems. While looking stylish and put together at all times.

 James Caan and his wandering eyebrows are on S2. He plays the main mob boss out of Chicago, Sy Berman.

 The Butcher even treats his loyal houseboy to an impromptu stabbing for the heck of it.

A time when you could smoke on your direct flight to Havana, Cuba.

I was going to include the remake of Upstairs Downstairs here but I think I'll add it to my next post on TV viewing which will include the new show on Showtime, Ray Donovan, Copper. among a couple more gems.

Have you seen any of the shows that I discussed here? Do any of them look interesting to you?  Lastly, please share with the rest of us what you've been watching since my last post on summer TV viewing.

Thanks so much for being patient with me lately and continuing to stop by and comment.

All the best and Happy Fall!
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28 comments:

  1. I'm on my third go round with "Call the Midwife". I caught the first two season, plus the Christmas special on PBS from Buffalo (WNED has been my favourite channel since my teen years), and Canada's Vision TV is currently airing the series for the second time. My husband's family came from that area of London, albeit approximately 40 years prior to the time the series is set. The poverty drove them to Canada. I love all the "real" women and the life lessons that inform Jenny's point of view. I love the popular music. The show is positively addictive. I've gotten two of my sisters hooked.

    I'm on the 5th episode of "Broadchurch" running daily on Showcase in Canada. Very atmospheric and well-written.

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    1. Hi, CW! : )
      You know I didn't even know PBS put out a CTM Christmas Special. I should have expected it given how popular the ones are for Downton Abbey. I'll see if I can find it. It's great that you were able to turn your sisters on to it. I don't know anyone here that has been interested in watching it. Maybe if it were available I would have an easier go at getting friends or family to watch it. My mother has been watching her British shows on PBS for years so I think she would enjoy it. It's great that you get such great TV in Canada.

      I haven't seen Broadchurch but from reading the storyline it sounds very similar to The Killing which just wrapped up season two here. Have you seen it? A great show. Also, did you happen to see the mini series, Top Of the Lake? I became familiar with it after seeing that it was nominated for so many Golden Globes this year. It's about a girl that goes missing in this strange town with very odd people in New Zealand. Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men's, Peggy) plays a detective in it. Anyway, this is my favorite genre so if it's a crime drama you can usually count me in to give it a go.

      Speaking of crime dramas, I recently discovered Longmire, The Bridge and Low Winter Sun (AMC) Have you heard of, seen any of these?

      Always enjoy your take on cinema and TV, CW. Thanks so much for sharing you quips and opinions, info as well.
      Have a great weekend!
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  2. Hi. I haven't watched "The Killing" or "The Bridge" and "Low Winter Sun". Been too busy rewatching old Charlie Chans! However, for some reason, I'm interested in "Longmire". "Top of the Lake" sounds very promising indeed. I'll have to look into that. Your recommendation carries a lot of weight.

    Apparently, Fox is doing an American remake of "Broadchurch" with David Tennant. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Love Tennant of course, but the show is equal parts about two police detectives, the one played by Tennant and one played by Olivia Colman. She's pretty big shoes to fill in my estimation.

    My sister found "Call the Midwife", including the heartbreaking Christmas episode, on iTunes if that is any help.

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    1. There it is! I know something isn't right in the world when Charlie Chan doesn't get a mention from you, CW. ha ha Love it!

      I have zero weight but that's great news on Broadchurch. I guess? Hmmm Lots of shows getting Americanized remakes. For example: Elementary certainly does have its fans but I just couldn't get into it. Not when Sherlock is so incredibly brilliant across the pond. Now if Cumberbatch would get S3 done and dusted. He's just so darn in demand now.

      I hope you'll look into The Killing. You'll be able to find S1 and S2 in full now. Low Winter Sun is gritty but boy is it good. AMC has really stepped up its game. Giving the pay channels a run for their money.

      Thanks again for all of the great info, conversation on TV. : )
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  3. Okay. I'll look into "The Killing". And I want to recommend something my daughter and I watched on PBS from Britain. "The Bletchley Circle" was a 3-part show that told the story of four women who had worked as code breakers during WW2 who band together to solve a serial killer case. Excellent drama. Part of the plot is how no one knew of their past because of the secrecy act. It appears that a second series is in the works. Hooray!

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    1. CW,
      Thanks so much for the suggestions. I managed to find the three epis of The Bletchley Circle and then the full season of Broadchurch. Not sure which one I'll watch first but I'll let you know what I think. I did see that The Bletchley Circle is set to air S2 in 2013. (4 epis) They better hurry up!

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  4. I like that the women in the nurse show ride bicycles.

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    1. Hi, Rich!
      Bike riding nurses. You can't go wrong there. ha ha

      Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
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  5. Page, this is a great roundup for the new Fall season! I'm afraid we don't have STARZ, but I'm always happy to see Matthew McFayden. I must confess, however, that right now, my favorite new fall show is FX's BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, being a sucker for police dramas, especially spoofs! :-D

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    1. Hey, Dor! : )
      These are the shows that aired in the spring and summer so you should be able to find them via Netflix. All but Magic City. Unless you're lucky like CW and you get such a wide variety of TV shows there in Canada.

      I've not heard of Brooklyn Nine-Nine but I'm going to check it out. (This is why I do these posts. We get turned on to new shows, get to share with friends.) FX is another channel that has some pretty good shows these days like A&E and AMC. It looks like there's a lot of crime drama fans out there. I think you would enjoy Low Winter Sun on AMC and then The Bridge which also airs on FX.

      See ya soon, Dor and say hello to Vinnie!
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  6. I love Call the Midwife although I haven't watched the other two. They look great. I also am a fan of Bomb Girls, Downton Abbey, and Mad Men for period shows. The UK esp makes such fabulous period themed shows! xox

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    1. Hi, Bunny!
      I am tickled that Call the Midwives is getting so much love. So worth it! You know, someone told me about Bomb Girls a few months ago, maybe CW and I keep forgetting to look for it. I've written it down. : )
      Also, I love your blog. I could spend hours over there looking at all of the retro articles, items. Very entertaining and now on my blog roll.

      Hope to see you again.
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  7. Thanks for covering these Page, as I didn't see either one. I had seen last season's Boardwalk Empire but not the first season - so I went backwards and saw it on DVD -now I know who all who all the charachters are! Enjoy your weekend.

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  8. Hi, Christian!
    The downside to summer is that Boardwalk Empire, American Horror Story, Scandal, Veep, and a few other of my favorites are on hiatus but as noted it gives me time to dive into new shows.

    Now it's a waiting game for Downton and Sherlock again. ha ha

    Always good to see ya, Christian.
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  9. I wonder what Shirley would think of the little girl's hair in the photo!
    I've been watching a French series lately called something like "Agatha Chirstie's Lilltle Murders", based in her famous novels and short stories. The main characters are very different from the original, but it is very nice and the 1930's clothes and scenarios are stunning!
    Kisses!

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    1. Hi, Le!
      I think Shirley would rip that little one to shreds for stepping out of her bedroom like that. ha ha

      Agatha Christie is always a good choice. I've played several of the AC adventure games which are a lot of fun too.
      Good to see ya!
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  10. I've seen the "Midwives" books in the bookstore, but haven't had the chance to watch the series. It looks fab!

    I love the look of "Magic City". The clothes are scruptious!

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    1. Hi, SS
      I had no idea there were books on this but then again isn't everything created from literary work? ha ha

      I think you would really enjoy Magic City. A lot of twist and turns and some amazing costumes, scenery, dialogue.
      Thanks for stopping by!
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  11. Loved Ripper Street and can't wait for it to return!

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    1. FlickChick,
      It's always fun to hear that these more obscure shows (stateside) are getting so much love and attention. Looking forward to RS and of course Sherlock episodes in 2014.

      See ya soon!
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  12. Page,

    Would you please get in touch via email regarding a possible television project? wgottlieb@aol.com
    I don't know how else to get in touch with you

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    1. Hi, Walter!
      I sent you an email.
      Thanks,
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  13. I adore Call the Midwife and Ripper Street. I don't have cable anymore, but watched Call the Midwife up until the end of last season. I caught Ripper Street on Netflix, and was glued to it. Wonderful shows!

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    1. Hiya, Becks!
      You have such great taste in TV and friends! : )
      We'll be in touch.
      Love ya,
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  14. Page, my wife and I are big CALL THE MIDWIFE fans, too. It airs in the U.S. in Spring on PBS, usually preceding MASTERPIECE CLASSIC on Sunday nights at 8:00. What a terrific cast! You can rent the Christmas episode from Amazon Instant Video. This summer, we also discovered two other awesome British shows: FOYLE'S WAR and DOC MARTIN.

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    1. Rick,
      It's great to see that so many PBC and BBC shows get so much love here in the states.
      Thanks for letting me know about these other shows. I'll be sure to check them out as well.
      All the best!
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