First, do not access this television series thinking that it has something/anything to do with the 007 franchise. You will be sorely disappointed. I sat through an advance preview of the first two episodes of this "reality" series expecting a television-sized Bond to engage in the espionage for which he is famous. Again, no.
Nine pairs of "everyday" blokes hunt for clues that, if answered correctly, in the end will reward them with one million English pounds. The conceit here, and the element that requires substantial viewer suspension of disbelief, is that each duo is supposed to be in the wilderness (or on a mountain top; or along the canals of Venice) isolated from assistance (other than the disembodied voice of Brian Cox), even though each couple is accompanied by, at a minimum, a cameraman, a sound engineer and a segment director.
Each couple is required to maintain the illusion that they are alone, even though alternating camera angles make it obvious that "scenes" had to be paused while the camera changed perspective. There is a grating understanding that the audience (you and me) are being manipulated and condescended to - "play along. Pretend its real". No, thank you.
Nine pairs of "everyday" blokes hunt for clues that, if answered correctly, in the end will reward them with one million English pounds. The conceit here, and the element that requires substantial viewer suspension of disbelief, is that each duo is supposed to be in the wilderness (or on a mountain top; or along the canals of Venice) isolated from assistance (other than the disembodied voice of Brian Cox), even though each couple is accompanied by, at a minimum, a cameraman, a sound engineer and a segment director.
Each couple is required to maintain the illusion that they are alone, even though alternating camera angles make it obvious that "scenes" had to be paused while the camera changed perspective. There is a grating understanding that the audience (you and me) are being manipulated and condescended to - "play along. Pretend its real". No, thank you.
