Reviews

Written and set in the 1920s, Lord Peter Whimsey and Harriet Vane go on adventures solving mysteries while falling in love. Lord Peter (Edward Petherbridge) is an aristocrat with links to the British Government, he is an accomplished musician and dancer. Harriet Vane (Harriet Walter) is one of the first women to graduate from Oxford (like the author) and a writer of mysteries (like the author). So many people see Harriet and a representation of Dorothy L. Sayers while Peter is her fantasy partner. Peters manservant Bunter (Richard Morant) is always on hand to assist.

The 52 minute episodes are sometimes shown in groups. First is Strong Poison where Harriet is a suspect. Episode 1,2,3 Then Have His Carcase where they find a body in Dorset Episode 4,5,6,7 Lastly Gaudy Night, Harriet goes back to her Oxford College to find who is writing threatening letters to the staff.

Its the end for DT and RTD, and they are throwing the book at this one. Actually I think RTD is putting in everything he can, just because he can. He wont have to tie up loose ends, so leaves a bit of a mess for the successor. There are far too many special effects, and a long wait for any plot.

The Gates are much like the ghosts cybermen episode when Rose left. The green spiky alien is just like the red alien on the Xmas Titanic. The warnings from the Ood are a bit like the warnings from the face of bo. Eternal life for the PMs daughter, bit like Lazurus/captain Jack. The Doctor watchers was a bit like the man in the shed in Rose, and Elton in love&monsters.

The lady in white seems familiar but wait for ep2. The Master just keeps returning, despite being killed many times, he is becoming a bit supernatural, having here some superpowers (superman/spiderman). He sends energy bolts and leaps tall buildings. John Simm is fantastic mind.

How does the masters ring and an imprint of the lips of Lucy bring back the master? Bit Harry Potter, with voldermort returning.

I hated the throwaway lines at the start, particularly his getting married to Queen Elizabeth 1? Reminds me when they decided to give him a daughter, just more baggage for future writers to cope with, or perhaps ignore. For 5 years he has been telling us the time lords are finished, so guess who makes an appearance? He rushes about but whats the hurry, he is a TIME LORD. He has a Tardis. Dear dear.

Good to see Wilfred and Donna. June Whitfield was wasted (so far).

It is still entertaining, but after such a long wait it is disappointing. Please please new writers, bring back plot, and some science too.

Beautiful, charming, romantic, what more can you ask for? This production was excellent, fine acting, beautiful location, and what a script.

Romola Garai was excellent as Emma, she has an extremely expressive face, it was quite comical at times. Jonny Lee Miller as Mr Knightly is 10 years older so not bad casting, an interesting part for him after the success of Eli Stone. He was in Mansfield Park in '99.

The biggest name in the production for Brits is Michael Gambon who is Mr Woodhouse. Its quite a contrast with Harry Potter, here is very timid, but he still manages a powerful performance. The fine cast included Tamsin Greig, Robert Bathurst and Jodhi May also. Louise Dylan was Harriet Smith, but didn't really shine, compared to the likes of Samantha Morton ('96 version).

Its a 4 parter, so they had plenty of time. I liked the film version with Gwyneth Paltrow and for TV Kate Beckinsale both in '96; both were under 2 hours. It does feel that we have lots of versions of this, and not enough of other great books though.

What almost steals the show is the village of Chilham in Kent, used extensively.

The series has at last ended with, it did drag along for the last few episodes. This one was OK, lots of fighting and magic, even some travelling through time, and at last the think came to a juddering halt.

The magic of different sources comes together and explodes, seeming to kill some, and send others into the future, but can they return to the present and fulfil there destiny?

Kahlans resolve is stretched to breaking, her loyalty to the seeker puts her in the most strange of situations. I did like the sith, lets have lots more sexy fighting women with fetish gear and suggestive magic truncheons. A bit like Gaddafis bodyguard, but much sexier.

Rahl gets to show just how bad he can be, but instead turns into a doting husband and father. He is surpassed in baddydom by his offspring, who is a real monster.

Watch and find out. Or if you are impatient, read the synopsis.

The series has been too close to Crod Mandoon for me, it was hard to take it seriously after seeing that show. Still the acting was decent, the story OK, if a bit overlong.

Most of the story was resolved, but not all, they must be saving something for series 2. What happens to the love that they dare not show?