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The past isn't a very safe place
Published Tuesday, Sep 25 2007, 11:48 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 6 comments
"You think we wanna be forced into this? You think we wanna be here?" shouts a frustrated Dominic Purcell in episode two of Prison Break. One can't help but feel that his conviction extends beyond the acting. Readers, I'm afraid to admit it, but I'm having a crisis of confidence.
No, I'm not doubting my writing abilities, nor whether Tube Talk is anything other than the best damn thing on the 'net. Rather I'm fearing for the future of one of our most beloved shows of recent times. Two episodes in now and Prison Break has yet to get me excited. It's doing exactly the same kind of things as before - Michael's being predictably clever, Bellick's suffering the ritualistic humiliations he deserves and there are more twists than '50s night at an OAP disco - but sadly it's just not stoking my fire the way it used to.
The problem, I suspect, lies in the very heavily contrived setup of season three - all of the main antagonists being in the same prison - and of course a huge disappointment that Michael and co. are back in prison in the first place. What could have been a superb two-season-long story is now likely to be sullied by a lacklustre and tired rebirth and the shame of a ratings decline in the direction of cancellation.
But I'm just a pessimist. What do you think? Let me know your comments with the 'your views' facility at the end of today's column.
One show that doesn't appear to have lost its shine is Heroes, which returned for its second season in the US on Monday night. (highlight the text to the right to read more) Set four months later (or in the case of Hiro, many centuries in the past), the premiere sets the stage for Volume Two of the saga, and isn't afraid to introduce new characters by the dozen. There's more reading to be done this time round, as two of our newbies - brother/sister team Alejandro and Maya - are Spanish speaking, while the departure of Tom Dekker for Sarah Connor Chronicles (more on that next time) makes way for "West", a new love interest for Claire. The Bennets, incidentally, have relocated west to California in an attempt to put their past troubles behind them. The theme of volume two is "Generations", the reason for which proffers itself almost immediately, with both Angela Petrelli and Hiro's father being dealt a shocking revelation.
Ricky Gervais returns for one "final" dose of Extras this Christmas, and as you'll have seen from the reports, he looks to challenge Will & Grace for the coveted "highest number of guest stars in an episode" title. Earlier this week he released this trailer for the festive laughfest (ready to count those guest stars?):
One final newsflash before I depart for a ride on Richard Branson's ferris wheel - Ugly Betty returns to Channel 4 in a little over a week now. Catch the season two premiere next Friday, October 5, at 9pm!
Click the link below to add your comments to this entry - but this time, be careful, as there may be spoilers! If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.
Don't forget to scroll down to read previous editions you may have missed!
No, I'm not doubting my writing abilities, nor whether Tube Talk is anything other than the best damn thing on the 'net. Rather I'm fearing for the future of one of our most beloved shows of recent times. Two episodes in now and Prison Break has yet to get me excited. It's doing exactly the same kind of things as before - Michael's being predictably clever, Bellick's suffering the ritualistic humiliations he deserves and there are more twists than '50s night at an OAP disco - but sadly it's just not stoking my fire the way it used to.
The problem, I suspect, lies in the very heavily contrived setup of season three - all of the main antagonists being in the same prison - and of course a huge disappointment that Michael and co. are back in prison in the first place. What could have been a superb two-season-long story is now likely to be sullied by a lacklustre and tired rebirth and the shame of a ratings decline in the direction of cancellation.
But I'm just a pessimist. What do you think? Let me know your comments with the 'your views' facility at the end of today's column.
One show that doesn't appear to have lost its shine is Heroes, which returned for its second season in the US on Monday night. (highlight the text to the right to read more) Set four months later (or in the case of Hiro, many centuries in the past), the premiere sets the stage for Volume Two of the saga, and isn't afraid to introduce new characters by the dozen. There's more reading to be done this time round, as two of our newbies - brother/sister team Alejandro and Maya - are Spanish speaking, while the departure of Tom Dekker for Sarah Connor Chronicles (more on that next time) makes way for "West", a new love interest for Claire. The Bennets, incidentally, have relocated west to California in an attempt to put their past troubles behind them. The theme of volume two is "Generations", the reason for which proffers itself almost immediately, with both Angela Petrelli and Hiro's father being dealt a shocking revelation.
Ricky Gervais returns for one "final" dose of Extras this Christmas, and as you'll have seen from the reports, he looks to challenge Will & Grace for the coveted "highest number of guest stars in an episode" title. Earlier this week he released this trailer for the festive laughfest (ready to count those guest stars?):
One final newsflash before I depart for a ride on Richard Branson's ferris wheel - Ugly Betty returns to Channel 4 in a little over a week now. Catch the season two premiere next Friday, October 5, at 9pm!
Click the link below to add your comments to this entry - but this time, be careful, as there may be spoilers! If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.
Don't forget to scroll down to read previous editions you may have missed!
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Your Views
6 Comments
Your Responses
Daniel, London, on October 7th, 2007
I admit the set up of season three is a bit contrived but the show is always a bit contrived, like Michael did all that to get where they are now and it all worked to plan mostly! But I have to say that I have been pessimistic before every season and always been surprised and it worked. with season one, I didn't think it would work and then season two, a whole season on the run and I think I may be surprised in season three but not hated it so far. It's just the set up and the fact it feels like season one did really well contained in one place and they have just gone back to what brought my viewers! The future episodes maybe excellent though! Just don't think Sona can last a whole season
I admit the set up of season three is a bit contrived but the show is always a bit contrived, like Michael did all that to get where they are now and it all worked to plan mostly! But I have to say that I have been pessimistic before every season and always been surprised and it worked. with season one, I didn't think it would work and then season two, a whole season on the run and I think I may be surprised in season three but not hated it so far. It's just the set up and the fact it feels like season one did really well contained in one place and they have just gone back to what brought my viewers! The future episodes maybe excellent though! Just don't think Sona can last a whole season
James, London, on October 1st, 2007
Lionel Blair!
Lionel Blair!
Nina, on September 27th, 2007
I like season 3. Mostly because I really disliked season 2. To me season 2 was the much weaker season. I really disliked that they killed Veronica and made Sara the main heroine. I'm reallying enjoying that Sara has less screen time in season 3. I enjoy seeing Michael being trapped again and now having to rely on himself. I enjoy that Lincoln has to be a bit smarter for a change and that Michael has to be more physical. However, I do hope that T-Bag will get killed really soon.
I like season 3. Mostly because I really disliked season 2. To me season 2 was the much weaker season. I really disliked that they killed Veronica and made Sara the main heroine. I'm reallying enjoying that Sara has less screen time in season 3. I enjoy seeing Michael being trapped again and now having to rely on himself. I enjoy that Lincoln has to be a bit smarter for a change and that Michael has to be more physical. However, I do hope that T-Bag will get killed really soon.
Bob, on September 27th, 2007
Prison Break series three was always going to be a lame dog. Not only was there no-where left for the series to go, even the second series was too long. The biggest clue to how big a failure series three would be, is the amount of money Sky have invested in promoting it. If Sky believed that it was really any good they wouldn't have appeared so desperate to sell it. They didn't invest half as much effort in selling Lost when they nicked it from Channel 4 because Lost didn't need it. IMHO people are suffering twist fatigue. These series rely on cramming lots of big twists in order to stretch a limited story and under developed characters into 20+ episodes. Can anyone remember thrillers where just one, really clever mind-blowing twist was enough?
Prison Break series three was always going to be a lame dog. Not only was there no-where left for the series to go, even the second series was too long. The biggest clue to how big a failure series three would be, is the amount of money Sky have invested in promoting it. If Sky believed that it was really any good they wouldn't have appeared so desperate to sell it. They didn't invest half as much effort in selling Lost when they nicked it from Channel 4 because Lost didn't need it. IMHO people are suffering twist fatigue. These series rely on cramming lots of big twists in order to stretch a limited story and under developed characters into 20+ episodes. Can anyone remember thrillers where just one, really clever mind-blowing twist was enough?
Luke, on September 27th, 2007
I'm afraid I have to agree with you, Neil. I have only seen S03E01 of Prison Break so far, but it has lost its awesome-ness from S2. It is still excellent, but it does give off that horrible air of being extended simply because it generates lots of money, rather than because it needs the story. As much as I enjoy it still, I would have preferred they ended it at the end of the last series, with a satisfactory conclusion. Still, who knows? It may yet redeem itself!
I'm afraid I have to agree with you, Neil. I have only seen S03E01 of Prison Break so far, but it has lost its awesome-ness from S2. It is still excellent, but it does give off that horrible air of being extended simply because it generates lots of money, rather than because it needs the story. As much as I enjoy it still, I would have preferred they ended it at the end of the last series, with a satisfactory conclusion. Still, who knows? It may yet redeem itself!
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