416 replies to this topic

[hlisy]

Is anyone else watching this drama on BBCOne? I believe it starts in America on 1/19 on BBCAmerica. After a not so good first episode, I feel it's all starting to come together now in Ep2. Matthew MacFadyen is dreamy but has quite flowery dialogue. With all the violence, I'm surprised it's on a Sunday night. But I'm enjoying it.

[Cress]

I don't have cable, but this show sounds interesting. If it makes it to DVD or something like that, I might check it out.

ETA: This is an article about the show.

http://blog.zap2it.c...procedural.html

Edited by Cress, Jan 6, 2013 @ 10:07 PM.

[thuganomics85]

I'll automatically be giving it a shot for one reason: it has Bronn from Game of Thrones (Jerome Flynn.) He's awesome on that show, so I hope he's good here as well. Although, thanks for the heads up that the first episode is weak. Hopefully, it's just typical pilot struggles, and it will get good later.

It premieres on January 19th? Sweet, a good birthday present from the old TV (that, and the awesome Jennifer Lawrence hosting Satuarday Night Live that evening.)

[silent]

I watched the pilot and 2/3 of the first episode and that was it. My initial thought after 5 minutes of the pilot was "it's Coppers with better lighting". There are a lot of similarities with regards to setting, general tone but also characterization. Doesn't make it a bad show butI stopped watching "Coppers" because of its depressing storylines, squalor and violence and decided to drop this one for the same reasons. Plus: "Mr Selfridge" airs at the same time.

[bulldawgtownie]

To be honest I was on the fence about whether to watch this show but after hearing it's "Copper with better lighting", I'll tune in. I loved Copper.

[hlisy]

I watched the pilot and 2/3 of the first episode and that was it. My initial thought after 5 minutes of the pilot was "it's Coppers with better lighting". There are a lot of similarities with regards to setting, general tone but also characterization. Doesn't make it a bad show butI stopped watching "Coppers" because of its depressing storylines, squalor and violence and decided to drop this one for the same reasons. Plus: "Mr Selfridge" airs at the same time.

Funny it seems more like Sherlock Holmes the movie to me. I will say it's improving. Sadly, Jeremy Piven makes me break out in hives so I couldn't sit through "Mr. Selfridge".

I think what I like about this show is that unlike most Victoriana shows and even Doyle's and Dickens work-doesn't whitewash the brutality of the East End. Only wish they would show some prostitutes that weren't glamour models-though the brothel seems to be a bit more upscale.

If the producers can use the squalor and violence to tell a story and not the Torchwood model of "look what we can do on the BBC!", they might have a winner. Just hope Flynn gets more of a storyline.

[Kaoteek]

On the basis of the pilot episode, I must say that I concur with hlisy : Guy Rithie's Sherlock Holmes was clearly the template here, visually & stylistically. Not sure if that's a good thing or not, though.

[ganesh]

I'm just wrapping up E1, and I'm ok so far. I like MM so I'll give him a shot in anything. Plus, Bronn!

Are they capitalizing on Coppers? Possibly, but that's ok. It's a different place and the spectre of the aftermath of the Ripper is interesting enough for me.

Honestly, there's so much crap on tv, so something different will catch my interest. I watched Copper way late so I couldn't participate in the discussions, so now that I know others are watching, I'll try to stay on top of this show.

[hlisy]

Well Jane Moir of the Daily Mail hates it, so it must be good. Honestly, if you watch a show called "Ripper Street" you shouldn't be shocked that there is violence.

[OakGoblinfly]

I prefer to think of this as the pre-pre-pre-prequel to Whitechapel. ;-)


I haven't seen it yet (hasn't aired in the US yet) but I will give it an episode or two, if only to check out Matthew MacFayden.

[ganesh]

I like how UK shows for the most part don't have a hell of exposition and about a billion characters. I still don't know all the main characters' names. I also like how I know the actors from about 45 other different shows. I think my favorite thing about watching Bleak House was that there wasn't a scene where I didn't know a character from somewhere else. And Charles Dance always freaks me the hell out.

I liked E2 as well:

Spoiler

The ending scene in the kitchen there with the cops getting beat on and the kid's mother taking a punch in the face was crazy. But Edmund's "fuck you" to the vigilante group leader was awesome. He was so smug about taking the boy in exchange for saving the cops' asses. I was like, you *do* know who Edmund is, yeah?

I also like that there is a vigilante group after all the Ripper mess. I can't even imagine what it would be like today. Gun sales go through the roof when there's a shooting as it is.

[Paratroper]

I like this quite a bit. Maybe 'Copper' warmed me up to the type of show, as they did feel similar. But I think I already like the three main guys more here, while the women on 'Copper' are more interestingly written thus far.

[Dicer3]

I want to chime in and say that I like this a bit better than Copper. And yes, the three main guys here are more likeable than the main guys on Copper. I also like that the forensic guy already has a nice shiny new lab to work in.

But the similarities with Copper are a bit too much. The main guy having a troubled relationship with his wife and the dead/missing daughter. The doctor having a secret past. The prostitutes. Edmund having an antagonistic relationship with his boss, the inspector. I wonder if both shows were written at the same time.

I like sergeant Drake. I hope we get to know more about him.

Edited by Dicer3, Jan 9, 2013 @ 1:08 PM.

[ganesh]

Well, you'd be hard pressed not to find prostitutes in a large city back then, and it's post-Ripper, who did kill a bunch. There's definitely similarities though. I would say it seems that Edmund:

Spoiler

is into forensics more than they are on Copper. And while I don't like procedurals, this is pretty much the dawn of forensics, so that's kind of cool.

Copper dealt a lot with class issues too with all the upper crust characters.

[Dicer3]

Spoiler

Did not like this third episode all that much. Too much sickness and I have an aversion to people vomiting. Put me off the entire episode. The premise was interesting (Someone wanting to outdo the Ripper) but I thought the execution of it was rather boring.

I also don't like Emily Reid, so I was hoping she would die and then disappointed when she did not. I think it's the actress. I have seen her in other shows and never warmed to her.

Hope next week's episode is better.

[ganesh]

Spoiler

Is Reid supposed to be the model for Sherlock Holmes? He's even got a doctor.

I thought this one was ok. It's not surprising there's copycats out there, and this was a fairly twisted puzzle. I like how Reid is the only one who really is trying to use forensics to gather clues and piece together the crime. The other cop wasn't really picking up on it until they figured out the secret room. I like how Bronn just yelled at the haughty servant to let them in.

I think they're dragging with Reid and his wife. I suppose that you didn't really talk much back then, and maybe her getting poisoned will speed that up. Unless they start talking, there's not much drama there. I do like she has a job, and he wanted to send her home and she was all like, how do you like it? for a change.

[GG63]

It's coming to the Canadian Space channel this Saturday night for anyone up here who wants to see it.

[irishmaple]

That would be me! I was happy to see the blurb last night during Being Human. I was getting concerned that the show wouldn't air in Canada at all. I thought Showcase might pick it up, since it had Copper, and I never thought to check Space's website. I liked Copper at first but found it a bit of a slog as it went on so I'm hoping for a bit more from Ripper Street.

[zereaux]

But I think I already like the three main guys more here, while the women on 'Copper' are more interestingly written thus far.

I agree with this assessment. The three main characters are more compelling than the detectives on 'Copper,' but that also might be because that show essentially had only one main character, while this show doesn't give all the screen time or mystery to one character. I agree about the women -- I like Susan, but overall, the women of 'Copper' had more of an edge to them. Still, there's time for that to change.



The show is definitely influenced by Guy Ritchie's Holmes movies (right down to the bare-knuckle fights and the font used in the credits) and 'Copper' (and yes, the lighting is much better), but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I like both of those, but it's nice to watch a period piece without RDJ hamming it up or not being able to see half the scene or tell the cast of dirt-smudged white people apart.

[countryturnip]

Anyone else watching this? I thought the second episode was the best so far. I'm also really digging on the main characters, but I think Bennett is underused. Hopefully, we'll get to see more of him!

[pyralis]

I caught this on Space (Can.) tonight - clearly they got it in a package deal with Doctor Who as it's in that timeslot :)

I can see the resemblances not only to Copper, but also Murdoch Mysteries (although in a much darker vein) and any number of other "period" procedurals. Certainly the men were more developed than the women, hopefully that will change.I did like that they're all still dealing with the fallout of "Jack" not only in the police themselves, but also in the city as a whole. It engaged my interest enough to stick with it.

[corvus13]

They've really made Abberline old in this, haven't they? I looked him up on Wikipedia and he was only 43 in 1889, not the 60-something or so they've got him. I don't know why they aging, unless it's to make him looking defeated at not having found the Ripper.

I like Reid. I also like how Drake is brutal, but gentle with women.

[Scoutlet]

Any opinion on Myanna Buring?

[Paratroper]

Any opinion on Myanna Buring?

It's hard not to compare her character to Eva on 'Copper', but at this point her history with Jackson is the most interesting thing about her, while Eva has quite a few more dimensions. It is early yet, though.

Spoiler

She DOES have a larger role in the second episode, but it doesn't do the character any favors IMO. YMMV.

[thuganomics85]

Just saw the first episode on BBC America. Slow at times, but it had enough to keep me watching. Reid and Drake are my favorite characters at the moment. The women characters are incredibly one-dimensional though, so I hope that changes. Although, the actress playing Susan is gorgeous.

It seemed like Drake was developing feelings for Rose at the end. If so, it does amuse the Game of Thrones fan in me, because it means Bronn and Tyrion really are two peas in a pod. Both fall for whores.

Being in the States, we did have some censoring; mainly blurring out the nudity. No idea if there were any differences besides that.

Dug the opening credits.

[molshoop]

It was certainly an original, if twisted, idea to make the mystery about the world's first snuff film.

This is the earliest film (made in 1888) that still survives.

Warning: don't blink.

[captanne]

Saw the Snuff Film episode last night. Really liked it. Yes, it's "Copper" with better lighting (tm, someone clever!) but it also has more experienced and nuanced acting. MacFadyen really has a grip on his character -- I saw a man with a rich past who, with this episode, is looking to change his future. All that in one hour. Well done, Matthew.

I loved the layered performances -- I'd call the production design "Show and Tell" -- Someone pointed out that the sidekick is brutal (we're both shown and told often enough) and the doctor tells us is supposedly awkward with women but shows us a man who can be gentle; MacFadyen's character is out to get the bad guy but in the middle of it all can look at the instrument of brutality (the camera) and appreciate its implications and importance. We're shown that MacFadyen wants the Ripper story behind him and, in case we missed it, he tells us point blank in the closing scene with his boss.

There is also an element of old style Doyle Holmesianism and a bit of Edgar Allan Poe to it. Mundane murder mystery meets sort of bizarre, science fiction-y for the time solution.

This show is smart and I really like that.

Edited by captanne, Jan 20, 2013 @ 11:41 AM.

[cherry malotte]

Really really liked this, set design was great, and the actors are fab. Being a movie buff geek I was especially enjoying the film story line, and anytime Julian Bleach shows up it's a treat.

More Bronn on screen the happier I am.

[Nell Huxleigh]

I liked it more than I did Copper - it felt less contrived somehow even though it is higher concept. I found Eva on Copper to be hammy, overdone, and not really deep. There weren't any explanations offered. It just felt like Copper had this thing with making women the bad guys to be supposedly edgy. And the acting on Ripper Street is a lot better. It was very interesting to see MacFayden's detective become increasingly interested in the film itself. It wasn't all about him and his issues and was so much less soapy than the show that it bears way too many similarities to.

[SDcat2009]

I'm not too sure how I feel about this show. I can see how on the surface the comparison to Copper is made. It is a bit better acted because they have Mathew MacFayden for starters and I think slicker production values. I can't say based on the pilot that it's already a better show than Copper. I felt like Copper had more heart if that makes sense. I actually more or less cared what was going to happen to everyone in Copper from the outset. Even the characters I didn't like, I was interested to learn more. I feel like at this early point Ripper Street is Criminal Minds: 1860ish. It was much more graphic and exploitative than I thought it would be. But I just don't think they are really comparable types of shows other than on the surface.

I'll give it another go, but aside from MacFayden, not proving out to be my cuppa yet.

Edited by SDcat2009, Jan 20, 2013 @ 2:25 PM.