EDGE OF DARKNESS - sat 1/11 bbc 4 - 9.15 - TV PACE NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

As 80s thriller Edge of Darkness is repeated

6 episodes with 2 shown each Saturday night over 3w

Regularly cited by critics as one of the best TV dramas of all time, and a launchpad for many careers, the celebrated BBC thriller Edge of Darkness is going to be re shown on Saturday November 1st on bbc 4

I was 12 when this was first on in 1985 so obv didn’t watch it then tbh never even heard of it

An intense, brooding drama, its story of a detective's hunt for his daughter's killer escalating into a battle for the planet is more on trend than ever in our world of Extinction Rebellion and anti-government demonstrations.

And a hundred series that followed bore its thematic and stylistic DNA – everything from State of Play in 2003 to this year's The Capture.

As for Edge of Darkness's longevity – it regularly scores highly on lists of best-ever dramas – perhaps the anti-establishment dimension helps? "It’s always difficult to know quite why these things are so successful," Campbell tells RT.

"Whether the politics of the time still echo today... they probably do given the terrible things that are going on now, the amount of corruption and deceit and lies..

Edge of Darkness certainly grips from the get-go: on a stormy night, off-duty inspector Ronald Craven (Peck) collects his daughter Emma (Joanne Whalley) from a student's union meeting at teacher training college.

As they dash through the rain from their car to the house, a gunman calls out his name, Emma dashes forward and he fires both barrels into her chest. She dies in his arms.

Reeling with shock and grief, Craven nevertheless skips compassionate leave to make his own inquiries into Emma's murder.

It's a trail that leads him from memories of his stint in Northern Ireland to the shadowy corridors of government and the cramped mines of an underground reprocessing plant.

And though it's a male-heavy cast, two of its brightest lights are female. Apart from the feisty intelligence agent Clementine, or Clemmie, as played by Zoë Wanamaker, there of course is the bright-eyed, idealistic young scientist Emma Craven (Joanne Whalley), whose brutal killing so traumatises her father that she becomes a projection of his grief. Or so we first believe.

But when Whalley and Peck are both in two-shot, we realise that she is actually a ghost, counselling her floundering dad from beyond the grave. "Her influence on the show is great," as Campbell puts it.

Never seen it or heard of it so checking in to join you @Blondeshavemorefun . Literally never heard of it so cynical me thinks the best drama ever stuff is marketing

Be interesting if it’s THAT good 40yrs on

prob be very dated

Just had a skim of the wiki (don’t worry not the plot section!) and says the writer drew a lot on the Thatcher government and the fear of nuclear war at the time. That puts me off a bit.

I guess 80s period dramas are making a come back like Rivals on Disney+

Watched it in 1985 and again a few years back. It was very believeable at the time and It hadn't really dated which was a surprise. Peck and Whalley are both brilliant in it. Most of the anti nuclear is focused on power stations - plus ca change

Well worth the watch.

had to laugh at "80s period dramas" - that my 20s you're talking about!

edited for spelling

Is it like capture @DPotter

Superb Willie Nelson soundtrack too.

I watched it first time around. It was brilliant. Looking forward to see if it's stood the test of time.

Well yes in the sense it's about nefarious government actions, with a sense of danger and threat, with a honourable police officer at the centre of the plot. Thought provoking too. About it's about nuclear power which was a big thing in the 80s - both for peaceful and military means. But it has a different feel to it from Capture - especially the ending. I liked Capture but I think Edge of Darkness is better

Haha sorry @DPotter , not me, that’s what they call them now and that’s the reasoning for showing regressive behaviours, like the Rivals romantic lead being a misogynistic pig who sexually harasses a much younger counterpart, but is still the hero, they’re saying it’s a “period drama” like Bridgerton.

I guess this isn’t a period drama in that sense anyway, it’s a programme from that time.

It's a fantastic series and it holds up well. Bob Peck was an amazing actor.

I'll be watching it again. My DS watched it when it was repeated a few years ago and he thought it was brilliant as well.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention Blondes 😊

It was very good, I watched it back then. There was also a Hollywood film made of it (2010) with Mel Gibson in it. Out of the two, I preferred the TV series.

Glad those who watched it 40yrs thought it was good

wonder if you will again now as we are 40yrs in the future.

if that makes sense

It's a great series. Definitely holds up. I hope bbc show more classic dramas.

It's been repeated several times. Last time in February/March 2023. I think it holds up on repeated viewings though aspects are naturally dated not least a moment in the first episode which will really make you go wtf?

There is a blue ray special that has come out so 40yrs on

Every word of this.

Watched the original and loved it, I still sing "all I want is ratatouille" occasionally.

Will definitely be re-watching!

Incidental music by Eric Clapton, who got MU rate for the gig.

Included "Time of the Preacher" though.

80’s music is always better

I remember catching an episode of this at Christmas nineteen eighty five when my dad had it on. I was twelve then too. I watched the whole thing on youtube a few years back. Thanks for the heads up @Blondeshavemorefun Might watch it again. Its forty years old now

I'll be watching this again when it comes on thanks for the heads up

I also saw the great film version with Mel Gibson although I never really understood whose side Ray Winston was on and whether he was playing a goodie or a baddie. Can anyone help?

Absolutely brilliant programme. Might have to see if I can get it on dvd