Strike - The JKR TV series

Interesting thread - and well done OP for taking on board criticism so graciously.
The new Strike novel is released later this month - Troubled Blood. My copy's on order from my local bookshop. The books are great - I've really enjoyed reading them.

Parts of JKR are in Robin, having been in an abusive relationship with her first child's father. JKR has also been unemployed or working for buttons. She halted her first career to be with a man who didn't respect her. She is a survivor. Robin has been raped, her husband cheated on her twice, and she is a survivor. Robin was almost killed in the third book. She gets entirely fed-up with people saying they know what's best for her. The only person who doesn't tell her what to do, how to behave, is Strike. He gives her the freedom to think for herself. I think she finds that liberating.

Tom Burke isn't classically handsome but he has charisma and a presence which has served him well as a stage actor. He is very attractive in that regard. I think he's a bit too good looking to be Strike (sorry) because hs's not chunky, or bashed up enough. They have made him look taller and boxier in the series by using clever costuming . Robin doesn't like him because he's handsome, she likes him for who he is.

I think Holliday Granger is a fantastic actress which a great aptitude for regional and RP accents. She is pretty, but in the books Robin is pretty. Strike notices she is pretty. Holliday is brilliant as Robin, because she brings out her strengths and vulnerabilities. I think the Robin I read about is Holliday. You can be pretty AND intelligent. Your aspirations can be derailed, but you will find a way back. You are worth everything you aspire to. I think the OP needs to read the books, because the TV show doesn't capture Robin, wholly.

The first series has been on the Alibi channel recently as I recorded it. They tend to repeat things regularly.

I'm watching the final episode of Lethal White this morning. I have listened to all the audio books of the Strike series and much prefer them to the TV series. I find my attention wandering from the TV at several points every episode.

Somehow the TV version just isn't as engaging and really lacks the backstories and character development of Strike and Robin that drives my interest. The actual crime stories in each book aren't really anything special, it's the stories that wrap around them about Corm, Robin, Matt, Charlotte etc that makes them something better.

Overgrown doll, jeez what an awful thing to say about another woman!

And to echo other Tom Burke is very attractive, not my type but clearly many others!

Tom Burke the actor happens to have a cleft lip. It isn’t in the character description.

You might not find him attractive, but plenty of people do.

But that is exactly my point, that it is always the man that can be all that with scars, disabilities etc etc. The clever girl is always the side kick and very beautiful, and very stylish.

OP I agree with you. Can you imagine a woman with one leg and a hair lip (or a scar or whatever he has) not only being the lead detective in a show but also considered hot enough to be fancied by a gorgeous young man in his 20s?

It just wouldn’t happen.

I love the Strike series but that shouldn’t stop us critiquing it.

They aren't awesome literature or anything, they are a little on the formulaic side, but a nice read.

I think problems with drink are actually quite common in the police force, compared to the general population. Does it still count as a stereotype then?

I'm not sure why we would expect writers to be politically motivated in how they build their characters. There are actually a lot of younger women who are pretty regular and happy to wear nice clothes and want to look attractive. Maybe more than those who don't care at all about such things.

Subverting every expectation in terms of both literary convention and reality doesn't work, it's just confusing and unbelievable.

Although OP I will add that the Glaswegian accents are pretty painful in the audio series.

There are quite a few threads on Strike, Vera, scandi noir etc. on guess what? telly addicts.

From comments there this series of Strike no rated as highly as earlier ones.

Lots of recommendations for crime series featuring women if that is what you are after

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts

WandaWomble

"Definitely give the audio books a go OP, hearing Robin’s thoughts as well as Strike’s will definitely make a difference. When I watched the series I found my brain filling in the gaps. Especially at the end when in the books Robin negotiates her pay as to what she has worked out Strike can afford.
Strike’s dad gave him a loan to start the business but is ruthless about taking the money back. He eats out a lot because he hasn’t got a proper cooking facility until book two I think. When you hear his thoughts you might find him more sympathetic. Maybe that’s why it’s hard for them to completely translate to screen as well, a lot of the book is observation from him or Robin’s characters albeit in the third person."

Oh yes I agree with this totally
I watch the TV series with my wife and find myself explaining the characters in more depth and adding sub plots etc

Op didn't start this thread in TV or Book topics but in Feminism Chat which is why I questioned their motivation.

In the books Robin is described as very attractive but Strike tries to ignore it in order to maintain a professional relationship with her. He regrets giving her the green dress as a gift because of Matthew as he gave it to her as a parting gift not thinking she Would stay working for him.
The spectre of Charlotte his ex is very compelling to me. She’s like Rebecca De Winter!

Definitely give the audio books a go OP, hearing Robin’s thoughts as well as Strike’s will definitely make a difference. When I watched the series I found my brain filling in the gaps. Especially at the end when in the books Robin negotiates her pay as to what she has worked out Strike can afford.
Strike’s dad gave him a loan to start the business but is ruthless about taking the money back. He eats out a lot because he hasn’t got a proper cooking facility until book two I think. When you hear his thoughts you might find him more sympathetic. Maybe that’s why it’s hard for them to completely translate to screen as well, a lot of the book is observation from him or Robin’s characters albeit in the third person.

OP Google JK Rowling images.

You’ll see she’s by no means averse to some considerable ‘overgroomed’ dolling herself.

@ThePankhurstConnection thanks!

Vera is repeated quite often I think, both on ITV and ITV3.

Here you go ThePankhurstConnection.

Series 10
www.itv.com/hub/vera/1a7314

Series 1-9
www.itv.com/hub/vera/7a0115a0001

I've usually just watched random reruns now and again.

I'm listening to the audiobooks, not in the UK don't have access to the TV.
Robin seems a pretty well rounded female character by Lethal White, the book I am now on.
Both main characters are meant in different ways to be attractive to the opposite sex.
I would read or listen to the books OP and not rely on a TV adaptation.

Vera is great. I love Brenda blethyn.

It's on ITV and they only keep stuff for a month after it's been broadcast but I'm sure you could get it on Britbox.

Ann Cleeves wrote Vera (and Shetland) and her interview on Desert Island Discs is worth a listen

I really ENJOYED it 🙄