Shetland season 8

[laplage]

Anyone else looking forward to the new season starting on Wednesday? It will seem a bit strange without Perez but looks to be a good cast and storyline so far as we know.

Was he the boy who was dealing drugs with Cal? Or is that someone else?

I fell asleep after ten minutes and had to watch the rest today. Riveting it is not.

I freely admit it hasn’t captured 100% of my attention, but am a bit lost and struggling and not all that bothered. Have to work out whether to watch the final two or bail.

Hmm …

I too am not finding it quite up to scratch. Cult guy staring and twitching during his interview was just a bit too rubbish. And poor Cal was in danger from the moment he declined to launder the dosh. (Never mind dissing the honour of the Bain womenfolk …)

It’s all just too etiolated and diffuse. The idea above regarding the DNA sample and parentage has potential, though! I’ll probably stick with it out of desperate hope - and a vague interest in SIL’s wardrobe.

@WatchingBoat and @Citrusandginger, I also thought that! It was because Ruth had such a difficult relationship with her dad. If he'd known, or even suspected he would have treated her differently to her brother.

I’m really enjoying the new series! I thought I’d miss Perez but it’s actually been really good without him (sorry Perez). Would always love to see him back though 😍.

I love Ruth’s wardrobe! And hair. AJ seems to have resisted fillers & botox which is refreshing.

I’m gutted what happened to Cal 😰 I’m clinging to the hope that he’s not actually dead and someone will find him. He reminds me of the lads I used to flirt and snog in certain Irish pub-club in South London about 25 years ago. He’s of similar age and that’s how they’d look now I think. Cheeky charm but gone sligthly to seed.

Now that would be an interesting plot twist!

I must admit I thought this episode dragged a bit. Lots of scenes of Tosh and Ruth looking a bit lost and making what ifs comments.

I do find all the various family histories a bit tedious, and make the investigations more like Who Do You Think You Are, rather then crime detection!

I originally thought the psychiatrist's wife was (unitentionally) responsible for their child dying. But now wonder if it was him, but cant belief the wife would have stayed with him if that was the case.

Depending on whether Cal is dead or badly injured I suspect this will be the reason Ruth doesn't go back to London. She hasn't yet listened to his message about having something to tell her. Expect her to start her own private inestigations ...

I also thought that!

I really can’t believe how many people are actively enjoying this.
It’s full of shite acting, especially Tosh. Even “dependables”, e.g. Jamie Sives, Phyllis Logan and Ann Louise Ross are giving/have given poor performances.
It’s a shite script, totally facile, there’s no depth whatsoever to it. If I was Ann Cleeves, I’d be demanding they call it something other than Shetland. The story lines of the last two series of the Jimmy Perez Shetland did not come from AC books but they were still far superior to this tripe.
Having said how much I think it’s rubbish, I’ll watch the rest if only to see more of the beautiful islands.

That’s kind of where I was going.

Poor Cal. He failed several minor character tests like ‘Never tell a hatchet-faced farm villain in debt that his sister has been putting it around’ and ‘Never phone someone and tell them you’ve got something important to tell them’ — both things ensure you die immediately

Even if you have a rather nice grey and black stripy jumper.

I'm really struggling with the acting! Tosh looks perpetually surprised and just constant stares the bleeding obvious, Ruth and her keep doing eye rolls. Someone mentioned Cagney and Lacey the production looks like something from the 70s!!
Very slow and they all look like they are pretending to be in the Police - dire!!

How old is Ruth supposed to be? She looks about twenty years older than her brother!

13 years, I think, IRL. But yeah, it's a big gap, and he has that boyish look about him. I kjnda agree about the acting; I've never objected to Tosh in the past, but this season, nit helped by a less than wonderful script, I think she's been quite poor.

both things ensure you die immediately

The moment Cal got in the van to drive away I thought he's not going to make it.

And did wonder whether farm villian, far from fixing the non starting van, did something dodgy to the steering wheel or something.

Thougn no doubt the more obvious negative impact of both alcohol and drugs may will have played a part.

And did wonder whether farm villian, far from fixing the non starting van, did something dodgy to the steering wheel or something.

We’re meant to wonder about that. The acting and directing of that scene was childishly woeful - no subtlety whatsoever.

@grannyjacob - I really can’t believe you haven’t noticed how many people here are criticising this new iteration!

@IwantToRetire he also wasn’t wearing his seatbelt

I'm willing to give it more of a chance. After 7 series of the familiar old guard, it's bound to take a bit of time to get used to and for the new character dynamics and new character of Ruth to bed in.

I too have been finding all the similar-looking white male characters a little confusing to follow and identify. This is unusual for me. There is character and basic role information right at the very bottom of this page under 'Shetland season 8 guest stars' to help a little, but unfortunately not including their photos:
Shetland season 8 cast | Meet the new and returning characters | Radio Times

Alison O'Donnell talks about the relationship between Tosh and Ruth here:
Shetland star explains Tosh and new detective's "unusual" dynamic | Radio Times

Some more thoughts:
Shetland's Alison O'Donnell on season 8 | "It's a risk, it's a gamble" | Radio Times

Shetland star says season 8 "was always going to be really different" | Radio Times

Ashley Jensen opens up about her new role on BBC's Shetland | Radio Times

There's a video interview with Dougie (for fans!) and Alison here:
Shetland stars tease “very different” season 8 after Jimmy Perez exit | Radio Times

I don't have any strong opinions about the acting or the storyline but I have very strong opinions about the casting of about 10 men who all look the same. Usually we sit there going "oh I think it's him" - this series it's just "which ones that" and "is he the one that...." Couldn't pick any of them up in a line up apart from Jamie Silves and he's dead now.

Hinterland was even worse. Entirely populated by grumpy dark-haired bearded Welshmen.

Hinterland was very good

But best not watched back to back with Hidden or it's a bit confusing with having 85% the same cast.

he also wasn’t wearing his seatbelt

Well that's what happens when you are a bit of a non conformist - or more likely being under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and using your mobile phone when driving.

Still think it will be the plot line to keep Ruth in Shetland.