Flashpoint

[innocent_lex]

I'm trying to work out just what it is about this programme that's caught my interest. I really like the characters, really like that they're just not a bunch of hotheads unlike so many police shows, really like that they're a team. But there's also an as yet undefined something that means when I watch it I don't do anything else. For me, that's high praise. I'm always on the computer or cooking or sorting things or reading or a number of other things that mean the telly is just background, the second thing in my consciousness rather than the first or only thing.

This week was Ed in a difficult situation, and it was an excellent episode. A couple of weeks ago had Jules in the middle of another excellent episode. The idea of hostage situations is one much over-used by television, so for a series all about that it's impressive that it can be fresh and interesting. Really good stuff. I may have to seek out fic.

Comments

[readerjane]

Thanks for the rec! Shall add that to my to-try list.

[innocent-lex.livejournal.com]

We've just had episode 9 here, I think, and series one is quite short, but series two has already started showing in Canada and the US and will be about 20 eps. It looks like the series one DVD will be available here in April, but I will wait to see if there are any extras before I think about buying - the eps themselves I can record from the telly.

For me it was a slow start, but the characters slowly unfold in a natural way that doesn't make it look like an "oh, we're revealing something here, did you see it?!" self-congratulatory moment that you see on so many other programmes. Also, there is story continuity, character continuity, and consequences.

[nialla]

Series one is technically 13 episodes. Due to the ratings doing pretty well, CBS held back the last four to put with season two to get a longer season out of it (and CTV went along with it, because they're airing at the same time).

Really bugged me, because episode 13 has a direct tie back to episode one events. There's actually several episodes with distinct callbacks, but this one made the season truly complete. I'm curious to see how they package the DVDs.

[nialla]

[marks you off of "need to convert" list]

Rich, teamy goodness. Not only that, but "team as family." Something I enjoyed so much in other shows, usually only to see it end badly due to poorly conceived shipping.

Where Flashpoint is breaking out of the box for me on that point is while it does have ship, it also talks about the consequences. How often do we get to see that in a show?

I adore the characters and I'm really looking forward to learning more about the secondary ones. I have a weak spot for Spike. He's a geek who likes to blow stuff up. What more can a girl ask for? ;)

I'm really excited to hear that several other Canuck shows are going to be shown in the US. Actual Canadian shows, not ones filmed in Canada with American sensibilities (though not mine). Between those and BBC America, I'm a much happier TV viewer recently.

[innocent-lex.livejournal.com]

Haven't really seen much ship yet, and I like that what we have seen has been natural and not there to take over, just a side note.

I spotted you posting on a Flashpoint community last night during my waltz around google and LJ.

I have noticed that I'm getting worse and worse at noticing or remembering characters' names on telly and film. I remember Ed and Jules' names because the team leader (whose name I can't remember!) says their names a lot. I remember Sam as it's rare to see a male Sam on telly these days. I can't remember most other characters' names - pretty sad.

[nialla]

Yes, exactly. The ship isn't heavy handed, and when it does come foreward a bit more, there is talk of consequences. Jules flat out says her job is at risk more than Sam's, and I was floored to hear that said on any TV show.

I'm having a hard time keeping the secondary characters straight myself. They haven't had many "spotlight episodes" to cement their names into my brain yet.

[innocent-lex.livejournal.com]

Plus... I saw some spoiler photos for upcoming episodes (well, ones that are upcoming in the UK at least), and the angst seems to be ramping up even more for various team members. Angst! Real and taken notice of and important!

BTW, do you know of anywhere to find fic (non-ship)?

[nialla]

I know there's some linked at The Contabulary LJ comm, but I haven't really read any of it. It's a show I don't ship or slash for a change, and gen is always hard to find these days.

There was talk recently in the comm about setting up a fansite with basic info, screencaps, fic links, etc., but I don't know if anyone has taken that on yet.

[innocent-lex.livejournal.com]

Ah thanks. I wondered if google was being uncooperative, or if there really wasn't that much out there on teh intarwebs as yet. Well, it's a good show and I'm glad there's more to come, and probably more after that if ratings keep up (though I don't know what ratings are like here, since it's been shoved on a random ITV channel).