The Luminaries - BBC1 - started 21 June 2020 - a NZ Poldark?

[stumbledin]

I thought this was going to be a sort of southern hemisphere Poldark.

First 10 minutes I couldn't even see what was going on!

But what with switches back and forward in time got a bit confused.

Did anyone else watch?

(I understand it isn't a faithfull adaptation of the book, so maybe those who have read the book might want a different thread, so that those of us trying to get to grips with the tv storyline?!)

Thanks wasp - will look out for moody

@CodenameVillanelle

Ooooh - marry me!

I’m watching episode 3 now. I’m interested but very, very confused by all the flashbacks. I have trouble keeping up with a straight time line!

[quote crispysausagerolls]@CodenameVillanelle

Ooooh - marry me![/quote]
I would, but I'm not the real villanelle and I might be a bit of a disappointment

Sorry about the Poldark reference, but had only had the glimpse of a trailor and thought I saw cliffs, and crashing seas, and ships with masts and a moody heroine.

Will be trying to see through the gloom tonight.

Did suggest in my opening post that maybe those who had read the book (and those who have seen it all) could start their own thread.

But thanks to those who have tried not to do any spoilers.

I also don’t know what people are on about with it being dark? It’s not dark at all?

So many of the scenes are so badly lit I can’t see what is happening at all. I appreciate that a lot of the scenes are set at night time, but the editors need to see what it looks like on a TV screen so that viewers can actually see what is going on.

The time jumps are very confusing, and I can see why so many people have given up.

@Ginfordinner

I’ve watched all of it now and found it very well lit!

Even the night scenes?
Maybe we need a new TV then.

@ginfordinner

Yes! Even the night scenes. We have a tv that’s only 3 months old though and I do wonder if that is why, genuinely. Our old tv was a struggle to watch game of thrones final series on as it was effectively just black the whole time 🤷🏻‍♀️😬

I read in one article that you need to have a very up to date TV to be able to see properly

The start of episode 4 in particular was very dark. Like you could only just make people out!

I made it to the end! I enjoyed it. It all made sense in final episode so I’m glad I persevered.

That's interesting Villanelle. Our TV is a few years old. I hate the idea of having to buy a new TV right now, as the one we have is fine, except for anything with dark scenes.

From reading other posts we aren't the only ones with this problem.

What TV do you have @crispysausagerolls?

Finished watching it today. I absolutely loved it .

I was fine with the time jumps last week but the gap hasn't helped and I'm now confused.

When did Anna turn to prostitution? Was it before she moved in with that woman, or was it when she accepted the boat fare? I den to remember her walking through a town and being called / referred to as a whore but I can't picture where the town was.

If the comments about the lighting are true what a complete nonsense for the programme maker.

This is the same as the idiots who make tv programmes where you cant here anybody because the recoring method is for cinema or something.

Took about self absorbed self indulgent time wasting. And BBC money.

For heavens sake if you want something to be watched put it in a format that most people have.

The rank arrogance of it.

This has so put me off, I cant even remember what I was going to say about tonight's episode.

@stumbledin

It’s one of my pet peeves now I have children when a show is SO LOUD with sound effects and music but sooooo quiet for dialogue. Your volume button gets more action than one of those Jane fonda Workouts. It’s nuts. And very annoying when your baby is asleep!

@Ginfordinner

We have one of those Samsung Frame TVs - our previous tv was a Samsung but 10 years+ old and I can well beliehe that these shows are dark on older TVs. Bit of a Swizz though isn’t it?

@TimeIhadaNameChange

She became a whore when she moved to Hokitika and started to work for Dick Mannering.

Having calmed down a bit I really came on to the thread to say I think the jumping back and forward through time actually make it less of a drama.

Even in the storyline of young vulnerable woman being taken advantage of is a bit cliched they deserve to be properly explored. Now it is just little snippets. Starts taking laudenum (spelling?!), ends up being sexually exploited by a pimp, and more.

To go through that journey with her would be far more meaningful that this little snippets.

Just cant understand why anyone would think this makes a series more interesting. Particularly as it seems many of us spend a lot of time going oh that must tie in with that, rather than focusing on the actual events.

And yes to CrispySausageRolls.

Far too many films and some tv shows you have to sit with your finger on the remote as after people whispering confidentially to each other suddently there's an explosion or a car chase and they ramp up the volume.

Again its just senseless. I've given up on many shows and films because I just couldn't be bothered.

Thanks @crispysausagerolls.

We often watch stuff with the subtitles on nowadays stumbledin

It wouldn't be so bad if they tagged the timeline, but you have to somehow fathom it out by what she's wearing etc

We also use subtitles!

We’re quite enjoying it and not finding it dark at all on our old tv. (Game of Thrones we found ridiculously dark!). I’m a bit confused by the jumping back and forward though.

I switched the light off and could see the dark scenes more clearly. However, I dislike watching TV in the dark.

We made it to the end and the last episode ties it all together. Glad I stayed with it.