River #TV #BriFri
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Last week, I talked about my unexpected fascination with the Welsh detective drama, Hinterland. Speaking of mysteries, Tina enjoyed, for the most part, the book Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner. Jackie shared more photos from her 2005 trip to Ireland, including some really clever flower boxes. Sim’s fantasy walk in London taught us about the Noses of Soho and the roots of the place name of Picadilly Circus. Becky reviewed the omnibus, The World of Winnie-the-Pooh.
BBC Detective show with a dramatic twist
I devoured the six episodes in the first and only, so far, season of River. It premiered on BBC One in October last year and on Netflix a month later.
I recognized several of the cast members from other shows and movies. Stellan Skarsgård who plays DCI River was in many Hollywood movies — I saw him, most recently, in The Railway Man. Nicola Walker had a recurring role in Scott & Bailey.
Unlike Hinterland, this show makes me smile all the time, even though the stories are quite tragic. DCI John River has an unusual quirk that I’m not going to reveal. The first ten minutes or so of the first episode are more fun if you get to discover the secret for yourself.
I love the relationships between the characters. DCI River needs help and, sometimes, he even admits it. Something about him makes people, including the viewer, want to be there for him. From the perspective of the plot, it doesn’t hurt that River’s quirk sometimes gives him a special edge for solving the crime.
London gets a starring role in this series with delightful shots of the skyline and recognizable places like the Millenium Bridge.
Have you seen this series? What did you think?
OK I’ve resisted but I need Netflixs!! I LOVE BBC.
LOVED that show too. Left me wanting more, such an unusual premise re: Nicola Walker’s part (trying to avoid spoilers). I adore her, btw, and know her from Scott & Bailey and also love her in Last Tango in Halifax where she plays Derek Jacobi’s daughter. I think she’s in MI5 too!
I am going to see if my library has it! I like a bit of humor otherwise some shows are just too damn depressing so this sounds like my kind of viewing. Thanks Joy!
You have educated me on yet another BBC mystery! I have not even heard of this show but we don’t get netflicks. I will have to see when our library gets it in, sounds like my cuppa tea. Love the DCI stories.
I wanted to participate this week but work exhausted me, just before vacation when I got home I plopped down, lol
I’m late to this week’s party, because I actually am in the UK! This is the first time we haven’t been going going going. It’s Sunday evening and the news is all about HM’s birthday, Euro2016 (soccer) and the upcoming referendum…
Yes I just saw the first episode of River this past week on Netflix and we intend to watch the next 5 as well. It’s a bit quirky but I love the actors in it, and will see what I think of the rest. Have you also seen Broadchurch?
Yes — I really liked Broadchurch, as well.
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