Traces - starts tonight on BBC1 - crime drama previously shown on Alibi

[stumbledin]

I got quite excited thinking the BBC was giving us a new drama in prime time.

Then someone pointed out is was previously shown on Alibi.

I remember enjoying it in not a very deep way. Lots of female characters. Based on an idea from Val McDermaid.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08zhbt6

Alibi thread is here, but dont read if you want to avoid spoilers!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts/3763573-Traces-Alibi-mondays-at-9pm-Written-by-Amelia-Bullmore-from-an-idea-of-Val-McDermaid

@TonTonMacoute

Re accents I live in Cornwall and you never hear real Cornish accents in dramas set in Cornwall.

I've been watching a lot of stuff on Walter Presents this last year, and agree with PPs, although this is quite enjoyable it's not as good as a lot of European stuff I've seem recently.

I’m from very close to where Broadchurch was set. In fact my actual village gets a mention. The I’ve never watched past the first ten minutes because the accents were so bad.

DH and I have been watching this 2 eps at a time so... a mini binge, I guess? We're up to episode 5.

It's not bad, it's just uneven and, as others have said, bizarrely improbable in places. The explanations of forensic chemical science are dense, but at least flow freely, whereas the casual dialogue is often weirdly clunky, as if no one had read it aloud before shooting started. Emma looks about 12, and manages to have loads of backstory and none, at the same time.

We keep shouting WHY?? at the screen. WHY does Emma think she's 'in love' with this random man she's only just met? WHY is Dundee so tiny that she's managed to bump into one of only two suspects involved with her boss's fire investigation report? WHY can I not work out how much time is passing or even what time of day it is? WHY does no one speak with a Dundonian accent? WHY is the soundtrack doing all the acting? WHY is she so scared of Steve Arnott's dad? WHY do 'free spirited world travellers' always wear kooky hats?

On the plus side, there are lots of female scientists being expert and respected, as well as the mandatory Ice Blonde Police Chief With Balls, and the scenery is making me consider a trip to Dundee when we're all let out.

😂 fair points drbuckles

The v and a gallery she cycles through is a stunning building with a wonderful Scottish design gallery although otherwise a little empty. Well worth the trip though.

Another question - Why does the Canadian professor's face not move?

@Newgirls

😂 fair points drbuckles

The v and a gallery she cycles through is a stunning building with a wonderful Scottish design gallery although otherwise a little empty. Well worth the trip though.

I loved Emotionally Weird by Kate Atkinson, which is set at the university in the 1970s and makes the city as much of a character as the people, so have always fancied a visit!

I'm hoping the last 2 episodes will settle all my unreasonable gripes, including WHY was John Gordon Sinclair dressed up as Serge Gainsbourg for that photo in bed with his ex-wife?

@DrBuckulees your posts have really cheered me up today!

Omg, THAT'S John Gordon Sinclair??! I was waiting for him to come on ... and he's already on!

I knew I had a bit of face blindness, but now I'm being ridiculous.

😂 he matches the headboard for sure

I must read that Kate Atkinson good tip thanks 👍

Strangely many of the town centre scene are either Bolton or Bury, hundreds of miles away from Dundee!

I had no idea that was JG Sinclair either. .

I think I've been too distracted by Steve Arnott With A Scottish Accent. And what has the sinister dad been in before? Also looks familiar.

Sinister dad is very eye catching

Sinister dad (Vincent Regan) has been in quite a few tv dramas but he always has a different accent, i wonder what his natural accent is.
He played Amelia Bullmore's (who wrote this) ex husband in Scott and Bailey

Its funny how some many of the comments are similar to the Alibi thread! ie about the plot and Scottish accents with so many of us not realising many of our soap stars are actually Scottish.

I'm fairly sure that Vincent Regan played the over the top real life person who ruined the last episode of Poldark ie it became his show! I think he might be Welsh.

So all this talk about posh english always getting cast may prove not to be true.

For anyone interested link to Alibi thread for Traces is in my OP.

Apparently Vincent Regan was born in Swansea, moved to Ireland with his parents 'as a youth', and then moved to England for college and drama / arts school (wiki page).

I looked at that too. His accent is probably "unidentifiable generic U.K."

Whatever accent he has, I wouldn't kick him outta bed....

Why would you post spoilers? There is a whole other thread for that linked to in the first post.

Sorry! I didn't realise - I'll get my post deleted.

Googling Vincent he has been in so many things inc various Roman type films

thought this was great - one of the best dramas I've seen in a while. I thought the performances were outstanding - especially the lead character and the top police guy.

Vincent Regan lives in my northern town. We have the same doctor. I have found myself smiling at him when I've passed him in the street cos I think I know him. Then realising his face is familiar because he's on the telly, not because I know him

Just finished Traces. Was ok. Definitely some implausible scenes/plot lines, but it was watchable. I loved the scene where she cycled under the building, made me want to visit Dundee!

Lucky you @thirstyformore. .

I agree to @1990s and @IndigoApple , very weird that she was moving from one place to another, why not stay at a hotel n find your own place? N how small a place is Dundee, where the first guy you go out with is being investigated by your manager/ boss and......

Didn't like it sadly... way too many coincidences

I was watching it with DD who is 13. So. The bit where they are shining uV lights at luminol on the headboard and talking about how much semen there was...🤣