MotormouthOnLegz Reviews

The Secret Life of Us: Intimations of Mortality (2001) Season 1, Episode 18

Pound System

[10/10 · 31 December 2023]

Wonderfully written and acted episode. The whole cast shine here, especially Deborah Mailman and Joel Edgerton.

I think some of the impact of the tragedy of this episode is lost owing to the fact that the departed character was not really in the thick of the great stories or group scenarios that push the series forward. The actress was great but she wasn't really given much to do and her relationship only became important in her final 2 or 3 episodes.

My biggest shock from this episode is that the Pound System and Abi Tucker song Weaponless Heart has still not been released. If any of the writers or producers see this, please put it online so that people can buy it. It is a tremendous song that regularly pops into my head 20-odd years later and I am surprised it has never been commercially released.

Friends: The One with the Morning After (1997) Season 3, Episode 16

Ross is dross

[9/10 · 16 November 2023]

My score is for every character in this episode but Ross. The acting is, as always, excellent from all 6 but Ross the character is dreadful.

He is a horrible, controlling bully. His behaviour? That's not love. It is just awful.

I hated the whole Ross and Rachel thing which obviously was a massive part of Friends. It was horrible then and horrible now. "We were on a break!" was such a tiresome storyline.

Ross started in Season 1 by not telling her a man had called and it was downhill from there. Controlling behaviour. "I want her so nobody else can have her" behaviour. Grow up, Ross. He treated the monkey better.

Chandler and Monica, Phoebe and Mike. Far more entertaining and much better couples. Proper love stories without the need for whatever Ross's behaviour was.

Also the writers have Rachel acting "crazy" in one scene as if she is in the wrong and being unreasonable. The woman was a saint for putting up with him!

How anyone can root for him and think his behaviour is "love" is a mystery. Awful man.

He loves Rachel so much but sleeps with someone 5 minutes after they went on a break?

I hate Ross Geller with a passion. I hope in the Friends universe that Rachel later slept with Carol. AND Susan. And Chandler's Dad! It's what he deserves.

I never realised I felt so passionate about the subject of Ross and Rachel before I wrote this. Maybe I should get out more.

Scot Squad: Episode #8.3 (2023) Season 8, Episode 3

Better, but still not right.

[8/10 · 23 January 2023]

A huge improvement on the previous episode with a lot of laughs but still too much focus on Chief Waffleson. His scenes seem to drag on. And on. And on. And on. Just words being spouted and shouted and going nowhere. Good actor though, regardless.

The other characters were all hilarious in this episode.

Officer Karen looks beyond scunnered now which makes her droll delivery even more funny when side by side with her perky sidekick, Officer Sharon.

The scenes with Catriona Renton were very good although the outcome could be seen coming from miles away. Still funny though.

As the series draws ever closer to the end it is hard to imagine how the final episode will play out. Hopefully it goes out on a high as it has limped along far too often over the last few series.

Scot Squad: Episode #8.2 (2023) Season 8, Episode 2

What went wrong?

[5/10 · 18 January 2023]

This started out as one of the funniest Scottish television shows ever made but has now become something that is a prime example of a tv series outstaying its welcome.

It used to be an absolute scream of a show that made us laugh from start to finish. Now it just makes us pray for the end of days. Which would probably be funnier than this latest series.

The Chief has gone from being featured in short, biting, funny scenes to long, rambling, monotonous monologues that are just so horribly tedious to watch.

Nearly every character has become a tired parody of what made them funny in the first place.

It is such a relief that Series 8 is the end of Scot Squad as it is depressing just how achingly dull it has become.

Officer Karen and DCs Squire & McGill are always funny and the only stars of the show worth watching.

Recipes for Love and Murder: I Only Wanted Advice, Tannie (2022) Season 1, Episode 10

Excellent Series

[10/10 · 3 October 2022]

What started off quite light-hearted has turned into an absolutely amazing, gripping drama.

The cast are all magnificent. The stories well thought out. Production values and Direction are fantastic. Having various storylines run throughout the whole series was a great idea and the mystery of Tannie Marie and her past life was not as simple as it seemed.

The recipes all looked delicious and hopefully Acorn TV will issue a Tannie Marie Cookbook based on the yummy dishes we witnessed over 10 glorious episodes.

Hopefully there will be a Series 2 as this has become essential viewing in our house.

Harry Wild: No One Here Gets Out Alive (2022) Season 1, Episode 8

Season 2, Please!

[10/10 · 5 September 2022]

Great fun series with plenty of drama, well acted with good writing and an excellent new detective duo!

Fergus and Harry work so well together.

Think Hetty Wainthropp Investigates but more gritty.

The guest stars, production, direction and locations are all brilliant too.

Hopefully Acorn grant this smashing wee show another series as it really is one of their very best original series.

Every episode is highly watchable and always enjoyable. Well done to everyone involved in making this one of our favourite shows of the last decade.

Whoever gave the green light to the latest batch of detective shows is on a roll as they have struck gold many times over lately. Darby & Joan, Harry Wild, Whitstable Pearl, Recipes For Love & Murder. All excellent!

Here We Go: Mum's Birthday Voucher (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

Woeful

[3/10 · 9 May 2022]

Wonky camera work to show things from the son's POV in an attempt to be different sadly left the nation bored and with vertigo.

Never saw the pilot and I really wanted to like this as the cast are all amazing but sadly the script was lame and the whole "stuck in a car" thing was done far more successfully on Car Share.

The dialogue was awful, the cast did not appear believable as a family. No chemistry made them act more like strangers.

The cast are indeed very talented but this sitcom makes me wonder if we have finally run out of good, original ideas and talented scriptwriters.

Talking Prisoner (I) (2021 Podcast Series)

Perfection

[10/10 · 28 January 2022]

Each episode delves into so much more than Prisoner which makes this show informative about many things including acting, Australia, life behind and in front of the camera, theatre, television and radio. Each interview goes into the personal and professional lives of each interviewee and answers every question you could ever think of asking.

The guests are always brilliant and it is lovely to see the behind-the-scenes people speak about their Prisoner experiences alongside the more familiar actors.

The effort put in by Ken and the gorgeous Matt really does show and us fans appreciate all their hard work in producing the ultimate love leter to not just Prisoner but the whole Australian entertainment industry.

I look forward to seeing more of these fantastic interviews in the future.

After Love (2020)

Beautiful

[10/10 · 29 September 2021]

No long boring speeches peppered with big words just for the sake of it. No action sequences. Just reality. Beautiful, heartbreaking reality.

The actors are all perfect for their roles and although the basic plot has been told in a million other stories, there is something really special about After Love. It draws you in and leaves you wanting more.

The mix of English/French/Pakistani cultures is a refreshing change.

I bought this as I love Joanna Scanlan's work but didn't know what to expect before viewing this on Blu Ray but can safely say that this is now one of my favourite films of the 21st Century.

The small cast were all tremendous. Hope to see them all in other things soon.

Britney vs Spears (2021)

Britney Deserves Better

[1/10 · 28 September 2021]

Britney Spears finally spoke in open court this year after a disgustingly long period of media intrusion, speculation and dirty tricks campaigns by those who seek to keep her under the thumb to continue lining their own pockets.

I think we all agree that the treatment of Britney has been disgusting. Her own words only give us a small glimpse of some of the horrors she has faced at the hands of those supposedly looking after her best interests.

The mantra from her conservators that she has "addiction and mental health issues" that are too horrific to share with the world are laughable when you look at how many world tours, Vegas gigs, singles, albums, perfume promotions and on and on she has done under the conservatorship. If she is *that* ill then making her do all that work highlights just how corrupt and manipulative her conservatorship -and those who control it - really is.

Britney is sick of being used yet people reveal her private texts for cheap thrills under the guise of caring for her and being horrified by her current situation. If you really cared, private messages would stay just that - private, regardless of your intentions.

Some people worked for over 10 years with Britney and claim to have witnessed horrific things pretty early on - yet chose to stay for years even when they had hard evidence of wrongdoing. No doubt their fees for being on everything Britney Spears related this year will be going towards mental health charities. Seeing as they are such caring, compassionate souls and not attention seekers pouring more stress onto someone who already told a court they cry every single day as it is!

By making endless shows like this, the makers are doing what Britney is partly fighting against - invading her privacy. Is this the new thing? A new "shocking documentary" every few months with the same people adding more and more bits onto their story with every new documentary they appear on? It already feels intrusive and cashing in on someone who needs help, not former friends or colleagues who share private things about Britney but are obviously terrified and still under NDAs when it comes to certain people involved with the Spears clan.

Miss Spears has already called out some of these documentaries for peddling yet more lies. She was right in court - nobody listens to her.

Britney deserves a private life with who she chooses to be with. Her real friends and whoever she chooses to be her family. She deserves to be allowed to make her own choices. If she chooses to stay in the entertainment industry, let HER choose what things she wants to do. Sing. Dance. Act. She might want to release a "Gurmukhi mantras and English songs from the Kundalini Yoga tradition" album like Belinda Carlisle!. She should be able to do that and do whatever the heck else she wants!

Britney Spears deserves all the love in the world. Most people would break beyond repair after the last few years but she keeps going and towering above it all.

Mental health problems? Be warned: Britney's situation could happen to any one of us.

Last but not least: Britney Spears deserves her FREEDOM.

Kathy Burke: Money Talks (2021)

Gimme Gimme Gimme (more Kathy!)

[10/10 · 5 July 2021]

Kathy Burke is a national treasure. She is also a very good TV Presenter!

Kath genuinely is down to earth and never judges people no matter how ridiculous and up themselves they may appear.

Episode 1 sees Ms Burke have a gander at "the rich". While the type of people on display here are nothing new to TV, the banter from Kathy is what makes this show shine.

Her observations on politics are biting yet truthful. Who knew Linda La Hughes was the Prime Minister we needed!

She breezily swears her way around the country trying to get a cuppa and asking questions in a non-patronising way that seems to elude presenters of similar shows.

Sadly for us fans Kathy Burke seems happier away from her previous roles as a multiple award winning comedy legend and serious actress so having her host these kinds of shows is both entertaining and gives us a chance to see one of the best actors this country has ever produced doing something she is obviously enjoying.

I hope Channel 4 give Kathy more documentaries to do as everything she does with them is pure gold.

Murder, They Hope (2021–2023)

Series 2, We Hope!

[10/10 · 9 May 2021]

Vegas and Gibson show they are still a magical pairing as they take the characters from the very good TV Movies and ease them into an even better 3-part series.

Janine Duvitski stole the show in episode one but she has fierce competition due to a brilliant and wonderfully sarcastic performance by the ridiculously underrated Shobna Gulati.

Sarah Hadland as the deranged Monica is also another hilarious turn.

There are plenty of laugh out loud moments and a lot of "yes, we know this visual gag could be seen coming from miles away but it's still funny" knowing winks to the audience which is part of the fun.

Murder, They Hope doesn't claim to be re-inventing the wheel. It's lighthearted, funny, well written and a nice, much needed change to the doom and gloom of the past year in real life.

The 4 main characters get better with each episode and I hope there will be a second series of this hidden gem.

The production values are very impressive and the guest stars well cast.

Marcella: Episode #3.2 (2020) Season 3, Episode 2

The beginning of the end?...

[10/10 · 26 January 2021]

Great writing, great acting. The show has evolved since it started 5 years ago but still gives us plenty of mystery, drama, twists and turns.

Marcella is one of the best shows of the last 20 years and that is down to the writing, production and direction and the genius casting of Anna Friel and Ray Panthaki who both shine in roles that highlight what an amazingly talented duo they are.

The casting of all the other actors has been perfect too. Not one has been out of place.

Series 3 is moving along nicely but I fear Marcella will never get her happily ever after as she battles with her inner demons while trying to keep her mind on the undercover work.

Mrs. Brown's Boys: Mammy's Memories (2021) Season 4, Episode 8

Oh Dear...

[4/10 · 1 January 2021]

What has happened to this once hilarious show? Now reduced to endless scenes lifted directly from The Golden Girls. Yes, really. This has been getting more blatant every year. Dorothy Zbornak would do one of her slow burning disapproving stares in disgust.

Gary Hollywood no longer being part of the show is a huge gaping canyon that will sadly never be filled. Dino (and the original Rory) brought so much laughter to the show and will always be missed.

Time for the team to really up their game next time as the latest 2 "specials" were sadly anything but special.

Tommy (2020)

Gone too soon.

[10/10 · 23 October 2020]

Tommy has just landed on UK screens this last few weeks and is a joy to watch.

Great little show with a fantastic main character and brilliant supporting cast.

So it is shocking to see this show has already become yet another show axed far too soon when there was so much potential.

Hopefully the decision will be reversed as Tommy has a lot more stories to tell and should be given another chance.

Mandy (2019– )

Oh, Mandy...

[10/10 · 20 October 2020]

Mandy is mental. Both the character and the show.

Proper belly laughs from both the dialogue and Mandy's squinty pouty mouth thing.

Great cast, snappy 15 minute episodes that leave you wanting more and the always amazing Diane Morgan.

Diane Morgan is a genius!

Another series would be most welcome. Keep the 15 minute length as it fits surprisingly well and makes sure neither Mandy or the storylines outstay their welcome.

Possibly my 2020 comedy of the year!

Wentworth: The Enemy Within (2020) Season 8, Episode 10

"It's a poison chalice..."

[10/10 · 7 October 2020]

Yet again Wentworth delivers a sensational season. It is sad that next year will be the end of the line for the show but, sadly, all good things must come to an end.

Every season of Wentworth has delivered quality scripts, sensational acting, amazing direction, camera work, sound etc etc. Everything has been flawless and an absolute triumph for everyone involved in the show both in front of and behind the cameras.

I can not wait to see what the final season gives us. Fingers crossed we get a fitting end to a remarkable show.

Well done, yet again, to all the cast and crew.

The Comeback: Valerie Gets What She Really Wants (2014) Season 2, Episode 8

"Red, I'm scared..."

[10/10 · 6 May 2020]

I finally managed to get Season 2 on DVD here in the UK and am blown away with how mindblowingly good it is.

Season 1 was excellent but S2 takes it up a gear and makes The Comeback so good there is actually no word to describe how good it actually is!

Cancer, snakes, heroin, RuPaul, Seth Rogen. Sounds insane but every single second makes 100% sense.

Just bawled my eyes out during the last 20 minutes of the final episode. An episode packed with so much funny AND a whole lotta sad yet it never seems forced or dull or stupid.

It was the perfect finale. It was the perfect show. Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King have created one of the best television shows ever made.

Valerie Cherish is due another "comeback" and she will be welcomed back with open arms.

Thank you to everyone involved in making The Comeback, both in front of and behind the cameras, thank you for making such a beautiful show.

I will be sad if we never see Valerie Cherish again, but happy if the final episode of S2 is the last one ever as it really is a magnificent piece of television and what a beautiful way to end The Comeback.

Farewell, Sarah Jane (2020 Video)

Beautiful Goodbye

[10/10 · 19 April 2020]

An absolutely heartbreaking, stunning farewell to both Sarah Jane and the actress who played her, the wonderful Elisabeth Sladen.

Arriving on the 9th anniversary of Lis's untimely passing, this is beautifully written and wonderfully acted by a host of familiar faces who are visibly still mourning the loss of their colleague and friend. Scenes were filmed in the actors own homes, obviously, due to the current lockdown situation facing us in 2020.

All of this is overseen by Jacob Dudman who has a lovely rich voice that soothes and guides you through the story.

Like most fans, I found Farewell, Sarah Jane very emotional and cried buckets but it was absolutely the goodbye Sarah Jane needed and the closure that both Sarah Jane Adventures and Doctor Who needed.

Thank you to everyone involved.

All Saints: Dependence Day (1999) Season 2, Episode 7

Excellent Medical Drama

[10/10 · 28 February 2020]

This episode features one of the most convincing birth scenes I have ever seen. Joanne Cahill plays the whole scene with such gritty realism and none of the "2 pushes and it's over" that you usually see on telly. So big kudos to her!

The rest of the episode is the usual All Saints high standard.

Thank heavens this is on Amazon Prime so us UK viewers can now enjoy what is a great Australian series with a ridiculously talented regular cast and a parade of fantastic guest stars in every episode.

Traces (2019–2022)

Great Drama

[10/10 · 31 January 2020]

Nice to see a Scottish show set somewhere other than Glasgow, Edinburgh or the typical "made for tourists show" full of bagpipe playing, kilt wearing, Burns quoting stereotypical Highlanders.

Crime dramas have been, pardon the pun, done to death now. Every idea has been used repeatedly.

So what makes a good show in this genre these days then?

You need good writing, acting, production and direction. Traces has the lot.

The location is stunning. Even as a Scot I am surprised at how gorgeous Dundee looks in this series.

It's also nice that instead of the whole thing being based around just the police solving crimes, it involves a lot of science stuff and forensic work but in a different way compared to other shows. Less clinical and cynical, more human and far more enjoyable for it.

I would love to see a second series as a lot of the characters deserve revisiting.

Doctor Who: Fugitive of the Judoon (2020) Season 12, Episode 5

Classic Who

[10/10 · 26 January 2020]

Now that is how you do a great Doctor Who story!

Twists, turns and plenty of surprises along the way.

I can't wait to see where this all leads.

Excellent guest cast and characters tonight too. Especially the surprise ones... Jodie was magnificent!

Only downside is the character of Ryan who is sadly still more wooden than the TARDIS exterior.

Cagney & Lacey: Burn Out (1983) Season 2, Episode 17

Life's A Beach

[10/10 · 24 December 2019]

Stunning performance from Tyne Daly as we see Mary Beth struggle with life in this episode. Her scenes on the beach are sometimes sad to watch, her seemingly aimless wandering is distressing at times but everything is expertly performed by Daly. It's also nice that we get to see Mary Beth somewhere other than her home or doing something work related.

John Karlen also gives us a fantastic performance with Harvey snapping in the squad room and his sheer desperation in trying to find his wife.

Sharon Gless also gives us some touching scenes with Harvey as they try to figure out what is wrong with Lacey and where she could be.

Of course there are also some lighter moments. Cagney as a Nun is hilarious.

I think the show always managed to get the balance between drama, realism and comedy moments just right.

The case in this episode may play second fiddle to the Lacey storyline but it is still an interesting whodunnit.

Two Doors Down: Housewarming (2019) Season 4, Episode 6

Surely Not The End?

[10/10 · 23 December 2019]

I think this episode highlights how ignorant some people can be towards anyone who is "different" to them. And how those people can hold their own and refuse to be brought down by the likes of Cathy.

This episode also gives Doon Mackichan yet another chance to show off her immense range. Cathy has been on a downward spiral since the show started and at this point it is beyond obvious that she is a horribly jealous nasty alcoholic with a lot of issues. The writers (and Doon) have done a great job with Cathy who is actually a very dark, complex character once you get underneath the nasty comments and constant bragging. It was very satisfying to see Cathy get what was coming to her in this episode!

All the cast in Two Doors Down are excellent. Every character fully developed, believable, funny, engaging and played with gusto.

Hopefully there are more episodes on the horizon. It would be nice to see Christine's daughter back for an episode or two and a visit from Jaz would be most welcome. Beth's sister and eldest son from the pilot have never been mentioned or seen again and they could shake things up a bit too.

I can't wait to see the episode where Beth finally snaps and just loses it. It is bound to happen and is long overdue. The writers need to make that happen.

Oh, and will we ever get to meet "Pat from over the back"?! She's an invisible icon!

Cagney & Lacey: Date Rape (1983) Season 2, Episode 16

Another Gripping Episode.

[10/10 · 20 December 2019]

This episode comes only a few episodes after another rape story. The difference with this one is that the scenario is different (hence the episode title), the complaint is made weeks later and we get to see a whole other horribly ignorant and judgemental side of Cagney and the majority of her male colleagues.

Cagney learns lessons in this story which pave the way for a sort of rebirth of Christine and her relationship with Mary Beth, and even with herself, that continues through the shows entire run. Real character development like this is always welcome especially when the characters learn from their behaviour.

Mary Beth, as always, is the voice of reason who is visibly angry and hurt by the comments other people make about the victim. She is also not afraid to speak her mind when it comes to this and the "pranks" being played by her colleagues that she finds disrespectful to the ones on the receiving end.

Kathleen Lloyd plays the victim in this episode and yet again the show struck gold with their casting. Her character is angry and defensive and a lot of people watching might dislike her character to start with but it is yet another realistic portrayal of people and how there are no set rules on how victims behave in real life. Everyone is different and reacts differently and this show gets that point across rather well on many occasions.

Ms Lloyd really is fantastic here. Starting off harsh then peeling back the layers while giving a really strong, believable performance.

As usual, the Cagney & Lacey team give us an episode that is well acted, well produced, well directed, holds up well decades later and is still relevant.

My only (minor) complaint is that we don't get to see "what happens next" to the victim. Was she able to move on? Did she feel justice was served?.