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THE RESPONDER - BBC 9pm mon and Tue. TV PACE. NO SPOILERS

236 replies

Blondeshavemorefun · 21/01/2022 20:07

Staring martin Freeman

Penned by ex-police officer Tony Schumacher, this is his first original series for television and he’s on familiar ground as he focuses on the emotional extremes of life on the front line of British policing.

The Responder follows urgent response officer Chris Carson on a series of five night shifts on his beat in Liverpool.

But Chris has more than just the job to worry about as his personal life has been hit by crisis and he is morally compromised in his work.

He’s forced to take on rookie partner Rachel, but despite his reluctance they both soon realise that survival in the high-pressure world of night-time crime will hinge on whether they can support or destroy each other.

Playing Rachel Hargreaves, Carson’s new nightshift partner, is Adelayo Adedayo (Origin, Timewasters). Despite only being in the role for two weeks, the rookie cop has a clear sense of what’s right and wrong

She is disgusted that she’s been paired with a man whose attitude towards the job, and life in general, is the polar opposite of hers. But will working with Chris and under the city’s darkness change her?

OP posts:
Rollergirl11 · 27/01/2022 07:57

Yeah the rookie cop is very outspoken given she’s only been in the job 2 weeks. She also needs to get rid of her controlling boyfriend who demands she text her while she’s on the job but then won’t come and pick her up when she’s stranded. My guess is that he’s going to be abusive to her at some point and MF will come to her rescue which will form a bond between them.

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/01/2022 08:04

@Dulra oh the one investigating chris is the one wife having an affair with

Didn’t reliese that

OP posts:
storminabuttercup · 27/01/2022 08:40

I've finished the series... I thought it was gritty and probably more realistic than we imagined. I'll not pass comment on the end just yet

MsMiaWallace · 27/01/2022 09:32

MF is so good in this!!

Meh2020 · 27/01/2022 19:08

I loved it - binged watched it.

I have a new (very unexpected) tv crush on Martin Freeman playing an exhausted response officer from Liverpool; loved the accent!

longwayoff · 27/01/2022 20:24

Martin Freeman is bloody fantastic in this role. But it's GRIM as hell. Can't face the rest of it.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 28/01/2022 07:25

Martin Freeman never comes over very well on Graham Norton, but i think perhaps it is nerves - after watching 4 episodes of this, i have forgiven him, he is great in so many things

Sonex · 28/01/2022 10:34

persevere to the end would be my advice, the grimness relents somewhat.

I met someone last night by chance who said her best friend was MFs girlfriend years ago around the Office time and that he was lovely and that she eventually dumped him for being too nice - which surprised me as he's got a terrible reputation and comes across as obnoxious in interviews so maybe he is actually shy.

either way, incredible acting here and he deserves the accolades.

longwayoff · 28/01/2022 10:47

O thanks Sonex, I might finish it when I feel a bit less fragile.

LadyEloise1 · 28/01/2022 12:42

Fantastic acting by Martin Freeman.
It's a part that has Stephen Graham's name all over it but Martin Freeman nailed it. Star

PollyCreo · 28/01/2022 19:04

Watched the first two episodes last night. Didn't enjoy it at first - as a pp said, hate that portrayal of Liverpool and scousers but totally sucked in now. Ian Hart is such a convincing actor, I could barely watch him. Ditto the young actress who plays Casey.

LadyEloise1 · 28/01/2022 19:14

Yes both Casey and Marco were super.
Again heartbreaking portrayals of wasted broken lives.
It makes me so sad ( and angry ) that man's inhumanity to man takes so many forms including the evil drug lords/dealers who prey on the vulnerable.

DePfeffoff · 28/01/2022 20:04

I tried, really I did. I was tempted to pack it in after 25 minutes, but I held on. But 20 minutes later it still didn't seem to be going anywhere and I couldn't drum up any interest in the characters, so I switched off.

PollyCreo · 28/01/2022 20:14

Martin Freeman surprised me, I've always liked him but he took it to another level.

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/01/2022 20:14

It got better

E1 I was hmmmmmm

And I like most stuff

But e2 much better

OP posts:
lilkiki · 28/01/2022 20:14

I tried to watch the first episode but it was so depressing

PollyCreo · 28/01/2022 20:59

It's a very accurate portrayal of Liverpool, parts of it anyway. Dredges up some horrible memories when I worked there in the 90s.

RamonaBadwolf · 28/01/2022 21:45

What is with the high pitched screechy music every time he gets stressed? It’s giving me a migraine.

LongDuckDong · 28/01/2022 22:19

I had to stop watching it after 10 mins as it was sending my anxiety high. Couple of other friends said it made them feel weird and so they stopped watching too

LondonWolf · 28/01/2022 23:14

I only managed ten minutes. It was just so miserable. Is it worth persevering?

LondonWolf · 28/01/2022 23:14

@LongDuckDong

I had to stop watching it after 10 mins as it was sending my anxiety high. Couple of other friends said it made them feel weird and so they stopped watching too
Same!
MrsLargeEmbodied · 28/01/2022 23:20

Finished it, I am sad it is over, so very good

copernicium · 29/01/2022 09:22

Having worked in community mental health, it's very accurate. Hence why it was so depressing!

BIWI · 29/01/2022 16:33

I think it's fantastic. Another one here who hasn't really got much time for Martin Freeman, but I think his acting in this show is amazing. And his accent is great too.

I'm very Hmm at those switching off because it's 'depressing'! What do you think it's like being an emergency responder in a major city centre?!

longwayoff · 29/01/2022 16:55

Well, grim, BIWI but that's why it can be hard to be entertained by it. It's an excellent production but I can't manage a whole one.