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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:
CatIsSleepy · 07/06/2011 13:14

liked the first episode but not so keen on the second

second half too rushed and deviated too much from the book for my liking...there was too much of jackson 'solving' stuff

agree that julia wasn't mad or busty enough and louise didn't look right at all -and i thought in the book he didn't know her from when they were in the police did he? or am i remembering wrong?

CatIsSleepy · 07/06/2011 13:15

loved his daughter though-she was great

Bue · 07/06/2011 14:05

Yes, what was that all about with the inheritance? It's important, it's why he becomes so bored and idle later on and manages to get himself implicated in his cases. Not to mention the Tessa storyline!

Bue · 07/06/2011 14:07

CatIsSleep, no he is supposed to meet Louise in the second book, when he goes to the Edinburgh Festival. I didn't even pick up that it her until most of the way through the first episode - I thought they had introuced a new character!

Sourdough · 07/06/2011 14:24

Haven't read the books but loved the first episodes.

DH didn't get home from work until 10.45 last night and had made me Sky+ it. I waited to watch it with him and we were both riveted (he is usually asleep by 9.00!). Agree - loved his daughter, probably because she reminded me of my own DD. Unpredictable storylines, beautiful settings, well-crafted TV. Can't wait until next Sunday.

polyhymnia · 07/06/2011 17:20

I too am wondering how they are going to do the third book if that inheritance plot device is removed.

Think Louise looks more or less OK - she is supposed to be brunette. But it spoils or at least alters the dynamic of the relationship making her an old colleague of Jackson's.

kitkatya · 07/06/2011 17:47

God, Im so bloody confused, I thought I had read all the books and now feel like Ive read none!!!

Its the location thats really thrown me.

Im easily thrown. Smile

CeliaFate · 07/06/2011 19:30

I enjoyed it, I haven't read the books. A few things I thought :
The cat lady's nephew - superfluous and bizarre! Attacked Brodie with a knife but no more mention of him?!
Agree Phil Davis as Theo was creepy, I find him creepy in whatever he's in. He has that sort of face, I can't relax when I watch him.
Music was far too cheerful and ill fitting.
Murders tied up a bit too quickly and neatly.
I thought the first episode was better than the second.

BehindLockNumberNine · 07/06/2011 20:08

YY re Phil Davis - he is creepy regardless. Don't like him and can't relax whatever character he plays.

Like the dd, like Brodie, confused by Louise. She does not 'fit' imo. Maybe her character will grow on me.

Cat lady nephew was not needed. Did not see the point of him and found the knife attack a bit unnecessary. Did not see how it was relevant or important in any way. Happy to be enlightened though.

Loved it though, have read all the books (albeit a while ago so I may need to revisit them) and am enjoying the televised version Smile

alemci · 07/06/2011 20:19

yes phil davies is creepy.

Amelia is definitely a lesbian in the book and Cambridge would have been nice.

I agree it was a bit rushed.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 07/06/2011 20:19

Having only read One Good Turn, I would agree that Louise isn't right, there is no hint of her personal life as it is depicted in the next book. I also agree that the cat nephew was somewhat superfluous. The appearance of Tanya seemed very contrived, but not sure if this is true to the book?

alemci · 07/06/2011 20:31

i can't remember what the next book is and how does Louise come into it. I have read most of her books.

BettyTurnip · 07/06/2011 20:56

I was rather distracted by how much Amelia resembles Gillian McKeith!

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 07/06/2011 21:28

Errrr outing myself as a thicko here but sooo didn't 'get' the ending! Blush

Why did they find the blue mouse at the dad's house?? (missed 1st 5-10mins of the start though!)

And was she intending on killing Olivia? as it seemed she panicked and killed her.

Please enlighten me as i've been driven mad enough wondering where the blue dress is from! (Ive actually contacted the bbc through their enquiries about programmes regards said dress - yessss Im a saddo too) Grin

megapixels · 07/06/2011 21:31

I thought the incident re Shirley/Michelle/Tanya was quite unrealistic. Bit of a stretch to think that if you walk in on your sister and BIL having a blazing, even slightly violent, row you'd put an axe to his head. Didn't read the book though so maybe there was more of a build-up to how Michelle's life was "ruined" by her man.

Tanya could be seen a mile off when they put in a random, non-connected girl suddenly coming into the story for no reason.

Want to read the book now but wondering now if I've already spoiled it by watching it first.

megapixels · 07/06/2011 21:34

The dad buried her that's why he had the mouse in his drawer.

No she didn't intend to kill Olivia, she accidentally smothered her when trying to stifle her screams.

I didn't get the "ghost" or whatever thing though!

JennyPiccolo · 07/06/2011 21:36

my friend from school is in this but i forgot to watch it. oops

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 07/06/2011 21:48

cheers megapixels

did not know that dad was in on it! Ahhh so was that explained when she came back in the house and the dad said 'what's happened'?

Eh - she didn't intend to kill her but she was leading her off saying things like 'I'll protect you' - where was she taking her?

Yes have to agree the Shirley/Michelle/Tanya was weird and abit rushed for my liking!

Orlando · 09/06/2011 12:02

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter - if you get a reply about the blue dress, please share!

(I think she wanted to protect Olivia from the father, who 'had begun to look at her in the same way' as he looked at Amelia.)

QuickLookBusy · 09/06/2011 17:15

Yes Silvia was trying to protect Olivia from their Father.

She led her into Binkies [sp?] garden saying "you don't have to do what other people tell you"

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 09/06/2011 20:46

orlando I will...straight after I order it online for myself first! Grin You just know it's either going to be vintage or from a really expensive boutique in the outer hebrides Envy

stleger · 09/06/2011 20:57

I hope this is repeated somewhere as I missed it. And BBC online thingy doesn't work in Ireland Sad

Orlando · 09/06/2011 22:15

Thatwouldbe - if so I'll be mightily miffed! Julia was supposed to be a flakey, struggling bit-part actress. Pah. I'm a bit Hmm about fact that she was clearing out their father's slightly squalid house in that lovely silk embroidered dress at the beginning, but if the BBC would care to divulge where it came from I'll let it pass.

bigbadbarry · 09/06/2011 22:18

Oh I think she is precisely the flaky sort who would muck out a house in her best frock :) Took me ages to place the actress _ - she's the one Milly decked at the end of This Life, isn't she.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 09/06/2011 22:56

bigbadbarry I only recognise her as Becky Sharpe from Vanity Fair in the beeb years ago!

Also regards the dress - very dissapointing generic reply from the bbc which basically said - errr we don't know and can't be arsed to find out for you! Sad

Don't know why I bother paying my tv licence really! Grin

Sorry ladies it looks like we'll never know....should be an episode of case histories hur hur...am off to drown my sorrows at the bottom of a hotel chocolat easter egg that i got on the cheap [need chocolate emoticon]

Thanks everyone who took the time to explain the plot to this thicko - I'll be back Sunday Grin

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