tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post2689130428799416987..comments2024-03-26T16:25:34.559-04:00Comments on Longish: Vera Series 8 - Home - ReviewHannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-63194437034802610132019-04-29T23:30:34.372-04:002019-04-29T23:30:34.372-04:00More red herrings than a Vladivostok fishmarket bu...More red herrings than a Vladivostok fishmarket but great performances. British crime drama is the best. I particularly like Vera, not just because of Brenda Blethyn's great acting but also because she's the spitting image of my Aunt Gertrude, hat, coat and all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-39597846962476288422018-02-05T13:05:40.983-05:002018-02-05T13:05:40.983-05:00Oh, that's right! Totally forgot Simone.Oh, that's right! Totally forgot Simone.Hannah Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-80142968356777866132018-02-05T06:10:01.218-05:002018-02-05T06:10:01.218-05:00I too would like it very much if the writer would ...I too would like it very much if the writer would put Vera and Aiden in a situation where they are in over their heads.<br /><br />Simone Challoner was a bit 'simple', in my opinion, in Black IceTomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16650147340969927580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-90989003230914076172018-02-04T21:28:26.896-05:002018-02-04T21:28:26.896-05:00I thought it made sense that they'd call Vera ...I thought it made sense that they'd call Vera in to talk to the husband - he probably wanted to see whoever was in charge. <br /><br />Agreed, however, that Vera being hyper-competent is getting old. I wish we'd see a story that really put Vera and Aiden in over their heads - it forces characters out of their comfort zones. <br /><br />Who was the intellectually disabled character in Black Ice? Hannah Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-43177520342172820362018-01-28T08:13:21.599-05:002018-01-28T08:13:21.599-05:00Hi Hannah, thanks for another great review.
I en...Hi Hannah, thanks for another great review. <br /><br />I enjoyed Home very much. Another very well written episode that had me guessing (incorrectly) until the bitter end. <br /><br />I agree with you that Vera needs someone she can match wits with. IMHO, it should be Aiden, who I have been moaning about since series 6. <br /><br />He’s just too weak and his character is insufficiently developed. He may be a pretty face, but frankly he’s a bore; he could do with some idiosyncrasies. What are his interests (besides baking)? Which football club does he support? What is his taste in music? Does he smoke and, if so, which brand or does he roll his own? Does he prefer lager, ale or stout? Perhaps give him a motorbike to drive to work. Do something – ANYTHING – to flesh him out a bit. I like the idea that maybe he goes bad.<br /><br />Memo to Aiden: <br />Son, it’s time to man-up. I know it’s hard for you, but if you don’t stand up to Vera now, she’ll be bossing you around in series 9 and 10. Tell her she can carry her own blue shoe-covers and put them on by herself. She can buy her own replacement cuppa when hers goes cold and fetch her own coat when she’s in a hurry. And while you’re at it, son; tell her you’re driving next time, whether she likes it or not. Hmm?<br /><br />For what they're worth, here are my random thoughts (n.b. spoilers below):<br /><br />• Doesn’t anyone tell the truth anymore? Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE – well, except young Elliot – lied in this episode;<br />• I chuckled (and I think I was meant to) at the juxtaposition of Aiden whipping up a fish pie and Vera popping her frozen dinner in the microwave;<br />• I chuckled (and I don’t think I was meant to) when Aiden rushed into the neighbour’s house to inform Vera that she was needed outside. Two strapping coppers plus Kenny and Aiden were unable to subdue the victim’s distraught husband. Of course, only Vera was able to do that;<br />• Last week in Black Ice Aiden fussed at Vera for confronting the culprit without back-up. Barely a week later and she goes into a dark and empty house without back-up and catches the intruder single-handedly (and single-footedly);<br />• Yet again Vera was the smartest person in the room: she worked out that the victim knew her killer; she knew who the father of the child was and indeed who the child was. She knew who Brian Delaney had been talking to on the phone for six months and where the contraband was hidden in Audrey Latham’s home. No wonder the rest of her team is surplus to requirement in every episode;<br />• It’s interesting to note that the three episodes so far in this series were written by different writers, and each used a ‘simple’ or intellectually disabled character as a plot device.<br /><br />I can't wait for Dark Water, although I’ll be sad when the series is finished. But then again, there’s the return of Endeavour to look forward to next Sunday. <br /><br />Thanks again, Hannah, for your great reviews and comments.<br />Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16650147340969927580noreply@blogger.com