Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Telly addicts

Related: Film discussion forum.

Original poster

Strike

220 replies

Hepzibar · 27/08/2017 21:38

Liking it.
Casting excellent.

OP posts:
Deux · 28/08/2017 09:00

I thought this was really quite delicious. I managed to not realise it was starting last night so it was an exquisite joy to come upon it by chance.

Looking forward to the next episode. I loved the book.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 28/08/2017 09:01

Me too Deux!

southeastdweller · 28/08/2017 09:33

I agree that it's true to the feel of the book but Strike was mentioned several times in the book as being very overweight and then there's the pube hair. Tom Burke is a very good actor and does what he can but a bit miscast here. But if I'm not mistaken, Strike is late 30's in the first book and Tom (36) could pass for that so I think the casting is right in that respect at least.

I was expecting the Matthew character to be better looking in the series as well.

sunglasses · 28/08/2017 10:35

I didn't like it. Loved the books but thought this was really lame and boring. Agree with the comment about wooden acting and there was just no sense of drama or intrigue. The constant music drive me mad too. I am surprised so many people seemed to love it as after seeing it I thought it would be disappointing to fans of the books. Seems I am in the minority!

Clawdy · 28/08/2017 14:30

Just realised Wardle the slightly odd cop was the evil Augustus Dove in Ripper Street.

MsGameandWatching · 28/08/2017 15:45

Good casting and loved the opening credits, just like how old sixties and seventies movies used to open.

The80sweregreat · 28/08/2017 16:09

Its a fairly complicated book as there are lots of characters and a lot more is explained ( such as why the doorman wasnt on the door on the night lula died) and to do with the laptop, which John Birstow said had been given away. Strike didnt find Rochelle dead either.

Still, lots of other things are true to the book and the offices are exactly as i imagined them to look and Tom Burke is a passable enough Strike. Its the working relationship between him and Robin that keeps me reading and book 4 is out next year too!

HelenaDove · 28/08/2017 19:32

Thanks 80s

HelenaDove · 28/08/2017 19:34

I like the musical score and the 1970s style opening too.

Timeandtune · 28/08/2017 19:37

Thanks Claudy. I was racking my brains!

Timeandtune · 28/08/2017 19:38

Clawdy even.

PinkBuffalo · 28/08/2017 19:39

I haven't read the books, but really liked the 1st episode (unusual for me to like something new!) I like that Strike appears nice not seedy if that makes sense.

TheWitchAndTrevor · 28/08/2017 19:50

I love the books, and am always looking to see when the next one is out.

I thought tom as strike is good, although in the first book I though he the was definitely described as less attractive and more imposing.

southeastdweller · 28/08/2017 22:20

It's moving too quickly for me, glossing over a lot of story. Lots of depth from the book is missing, as well as some characters (Ursula, Alison, Cyprian).

And as with the book, the killer is obvious.

The80sweregreat · 28/08/2017 22:29

South, i must be dim as i didnt get the killer until the last few pages of the book! I did in book 3 however.
I agree they have cut a lot of the characters.
Robin also did more , although there is another episode when she may venture out of the office.

ShoesHaveSouls · 28/08/2017 22:45

I didn't guess the killer in the book either.

Loving this series, can't believe we have to wait till Sunday now Hmm

hollyisalovelyname · 29/08/2017 07:41

I didn't guess the killer in the book either Blush
Odd the way it is being shown- Sunday, Monday, Sunday.

futuristic1 · 29/08/2017 09:41

Why does a one-legged man walk from one side of London to the other - over and over again?

I feel I'm being beaten about the head with his false leg.

Two hours so far and about 30 mins of it has been walking.

I love the scenery but it's padding.

If you can afford offices in Tin Pan Alley (is it?) then a mobility car and a blue badge wouldn't be ridiculous - but I guess we only want so much reality!

The war hero stuff in part 3 will be the end of me - I get it already.

More padding - a let down overall.

TheWitchAndTrevor · 29/08/2017 10:53

futuristic1 in the books, it's explained why he cannot afford a car, and walks everywhere(often regretting it) or gets a taxi.

Believe it or not his false leg has quite an impact on his life, as I imagine happens to people in real life as well. (Hence it being a referred too a lot) otherwise why have him have a false leg at all, why not just down on his luck detective?

I can see it's why it's not everyone's cup of tea for a detective story though.

TheWitchAndTrevor · 29/08/2017 11:01

My thoughts on last nights episode,

Strikes character doesn't portray his grumpyness and his wit, as well as it is expressed in the books, his face seems to happy and kind at times.

Also when Robin found him in the pub he was a more worst for wear in the books.

The80sweregreat · 29/08/2017 15:16

I think the first book explains it better - he was in rehab for ages and had to get used to not having a leg anymore - he didnt want to give up so started his own detective agency as he was the red caps in the army and knew a lot about criminal procedure and so on.He took on a loan to get started and is struggling as his (rich) girlfriend and him have split and thats why he is now sleeping in the office.
He can drive, but only an automatic car and he cant afford to run one, plus getting around town is easier by train or cab. He is very determined. I like the character, he is funny and trying his best to make some money and help people too. Robin is a bit of a godsend for him. The bit where she finds him drunk in the pub is funny - after that they seemed to forge more of a friendship and he starts relying on her more to help him out with things ( her boyfriend doesnt like it though!!) Charlotte, his ex, is flaky to say the least!

RidingWindhorses · 30/08/2017 00:54

That's helpful. I thought when I was watching it that it would have been better to have his back story at the start - for people like me who don't know the books. Whether it would have made it any better I don't know. It makes Grantchester look like Stieg Larsson.

TizzyDongue · 30/08/2017 07:58

The whole walking thing has more of an effect on him in the book. There's detail about the pain and the fact he doesn't actually choose to walk just has no choice. So seems less daft.

The80sweregreat · 30/08/2017 08:12

yes, it seems to make more sense in the books that he has to walk around or get the tube everywhere. its tough going for him at times.
plus he hasnt any money , having poured everything into the business. his ex had a car, but she wasnt the type to help him out much!!

futuristic1 · 30/08/2017 10:21

Yes, relevant back story would have been clever and useful.

We're all most likely aware that only having one leg has quite an impact on anybody's life.

But on the basis of the narrative presented to the viewer, we have a man who can afford offices in central London, pay for a secretary whether he has work or not, have a good old drink etc etc - - simply put, he is not portrayed as hard up.

But a one-legged man who chooses top floor offices with no lift in the most expensive part of London and then walks everywhere, is obviously making a point? or is a badly drawn character.

Otherwise, he would have a ground floor office with a parking space and a mobilty allowance in Peckham or Bromley.

Sometimes writers labour too hard to be different, pretentious names, overworked back stories etc etc - sometimes simple is just better