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Case Histories - isn't Cambridge photogenic enough?

146 replies

Lilymaid · 05/06/2011 21:27

Somewhat baffled with the BBC version of Kate Atkinson's book. Book is about Cambridge, TV is set in Edinburgh. Jackson Brodie was no hunk in the book ...

OP posts:
Hassled · 06/06/2011 22:16

I loved it - yes, it should have been Cambridge but presumably they're moving on to the other books now, hence basing it all in Edinburgh makes more sense. JB actor spot on, I thought - agree Julia wasn't nuts enough.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 06/06/2011 22:18

I haven't read Case Histories, but read One Good Turn a few months ago and found it slightly disappointing, the character of Brodie just didn't work for me. However I have really enjoyed this series so far and am looking forward to the one Good Turn episodes, unusual for me to prefer TV/film version of anything to the book.

BettyTurnip · 06/06/2011 22:22

How come he dug up Olivia's Blue Mouse when he discovered the body, when it had already been found in the father's desk? Confused Jason Isaacs - swoonerama.

BehindLockNumberNine · 06/06/2011 22:24

He didn't dig up the blue mouse, it was one of Olivia's bunny slippers...

QuickLookBusy · 06/06/2011 22:26

I thought that was her slipper wasn't it Betty?

I think the sisters said in yesterday's episode that Olivia's slippers had never been found.

expatinscotland · 06/06/2011 22:26

He's got a fab torso. Phwoar. I'm a torso fan.

pointydog · 06/06/2011 22:29

Just realised as teh credits ran that I've read Case Histories. Obviously didn't make much of an impact.

BettyTurnip · 06/06/2011 22:32

Oh, her slipper, thanks! DH nabbed the prime telly-watching spot tonight so couldn't see too clearly.

QuickLookBusy · 06/06/2011 22:37

Yes expat, that torso scence was rather glorious.

I'm glad I've recorded just that bit the whole series for future reference.

QuickLookBusy · 06/06/2011 22:38

scene

Yama · 06/06/2011 22:41

WhoKnows - Case Histories and Started Early, Took My Dog were better than One Good Turn. I tried One Good Turn first, couldn't get into it and then returned to it after I read the other two. Hope that made sense.

polyhymnia · 06/06/2011 23:31

Jackson is good - agree with everyone Julia should be more chaotic, eccentric, and bustier! Don't remember Amelia being a lesbian in the book, though various other things have been altered too and I have no problem with any of them. Not sure yet whether Louise is 'special' enough or not.

peeriebear · 06/06/2011 23:35

I have not read the books but now I must. I have loved these episodes :) Though I nearly didn't watch as the little sleeping olivia looked just like my DD2 :( Had my mum texting me throughout saying "Phwoar he's got his shirt off again!" And I'm glad I wasn't the only burgundy dress coveter! (is that a word?)

UndiscoveredApprentice · 06/06/2011 23:59

which one is Louise again?

expatinscotland · 07/06/2011 00:44

The police officer is Louise.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 07/06/2011 09:02

Yama thanks, I bought One Good Turn without realizing it was the second part of a series, watching Case Histories helps it make sense.

MollysChamber · 07/06/2011 10:14

I enjoyed it. Had not imagined Jackson to be hot....

Wondered why I hadn't remembered it being set in Edinburgh - doh!

The bereaved dad, Theo, was creepy but I found him creepy in the the book.

The scene with the older sister and the dad in the study was stomach churning. Was it necessary for it to be so graphic?

The blonde murderous nurse is a terrible actress.

In a quandary now - haven't read the last two books yet although I have them. Think it might spoil them to watch on the telly first....

Vintagepommery · 07/06/2011 10:28

Really enjoyed it - agree about Julia not being mad or busty enough but I thought Amelia was brilliant - exactly how i imagined her (and she did become a lesbian in the book).

Thought JBs ex-wife was too pretty. Not sure about Jason Isaacs at first but he grew on me! Thought they did well generally - probably quite a hard book to adapt as is so many threads going through it. They did change so that he only inherited Binkie's cat - in the book he got all her money.

IndridCold · 07/06/2011 10:54

Am liking Jason Isaacs as JB, but I had always envisaged him as being like David Morrisey.

octopusinabox · 07/06/2011 11:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

megapixels · 07/06/2011 11:29

Exactly octupusinabox, I'm surprised more people aren't outraged by it. Actual scenes of child abuse should be something shocking and highly upsetting, not a normal part of evening telly viewing. Dh looked at me in shock as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing, and I was too speechless to say anything back too. I was upset for the actual child actress who had to do that.

LadyBeagleEyes · 07/06/2011 11:50

It was after the watershed and an integral part of the book.
Not nice to watch maybe but it was a tiny little scene and I thought overall the interpretation of the books was really well done.

Bue · 07/06/2011 12:20

Jason Isaacs is much too buff. Jackson should have a je-ne-sais-quoi but he's not a hunk.
I think Julia is spot on but she needs to be much more buxom and a brunette. Josie should surely be blonde!
Louise should surely be blonde!

Despite everyone looking entirely wrong, I am enjoying it. I think Amelia is perfectly cast (was she a lesbian in the book??) and Theo Wyre was excellent.

limitedperiodonly · 07/06/2011 12:44

The child abuse is an integral part of the book and it wasn't gratuitous to put it in the programme. From what I remember the book described it more graphically but neither the book nor the programme left you with the impression that it was anything less than disgusting.

The book explored some of the legacy of child abuse - like where one child feels rejected and unloved because she wasn't abused. The programme didn't convey that. But I suppose they had no time.

I liked the programme but it rushed things like Amelia's comments about her boyfriend and her relationship with her friend (trying not to spoil) at the end.

Oh and Binky's nephew and the neat tying up of Laura's murder. Actually, I found that too neat in the book as well. Kate Atkinson's stories rely on coincidences which I accept in the books but are a bit 'and with one bound he was free'.

Bue sort of - it was explained better. DH who hadn't read the book asked: 'Hang on, where did that come from?'

Still going to watch the next one.

Anyone else puzzled by this: in the book Jackson inherits the money from Binky doesn't he? And that sets up a storyline for the 2nd or possibly 3rd book. Wonder why they changed it?

5Foot5 · 07/06/2011 13:02

"If I was his wife I would be dead annoyed about him taking the daughter to work so often."

Erm - but she is about to take the daughter to New Zealand for a year!! I think that is a little bit more annoying.

I thought they made a good job of this and am looking forward to the rest of the series. I didn't actually like One Good Turn very much - it almost put me off reading any more. However, I thought When Will There Be Good News was terrific.

BTW I think Brodie's house is really cool the way he opens those double doors to the outside.