I begin my examination of Thursday with Elementary (CBS). The poor mans Sherlock Holmes. It has a modern twist - Watson is a woman.Not just a woman but Holmes's sober companion. Ooh! I wonder if they'll get it on? Seriously, I just don't care. Johnny Lee Miller stars as Holmes and Lucy Liu as Watson. The story is set in modern day America and Holmes is a private consultant. There are a few differences with the traditional Holmes, the most glaring being that whereas the original makes deductions that lead him straight to the answer the new version makes at least two wrong guesses per show before he gets it right.
They prefer different drugs too. No more opium smoking, now its alcohol. Not much else to say really. It is a crime drama and it breaks no new ground.
Thursday has nothing more to offer as far as I am concerned so on to Friday.
FRIDAY
I used to watch Bones (Fox) but went off it some time ago when it became less about Forensic anthropology and more about love and romance. On to what I do watch : Grimm (NBC). Again it falls in to that category of genres I don't normally like, because it has monsters, and usually I am not impressed with the CGI monsters or stories about creatures living amongst us. Grimm doesn't spend too long depicting monsters, just giving a little glimpse of what they are but not allowing them to distract from what is usually a very good script.
The Grimm of the title is a person who can see these monsters amongst us known as "Vessen" and kill them. The position is handed down through the family from one generation to the next and one Nick Berkhardt, a detective played by David Guitoni is the current recipient of the role. The Vessen that he hunts come in many shapes and sizes and all inhabit human bodies. They all have extremely long Germanic names. Nick has inherited a trailer full of potions, ancient weapons and old tomes full of stories from past Grimms. It is his job to protect humanity from the Vessen. In time, his girlfriend learns what he is, and he befriends a guy called Monro, who is Vessen (I can't remember what kind but hes very Wolf-like). His partner, Hank, played by Russell Hornsby also knows he is a Grimm. As does his girlfriend and Munros girlfriend and his captain at the precinct. But apart from half the town knowing about him Nicks role as Grimm is a secret.
The longevity in monster stories is amazing, Every year there is a new crop. This is similar in content to lost girl, and in previous seasons we have had The Gates. Is this a fear mechanism at play, keeping people wondering about the people next door, or down the street? Or is it just that people like a scare?
Speaking of longevity next up is Dracula. No modern twist this time, it is set at the turn of the century in Victorian London. The industrial revolution was in full swing and the program offers a new perspective. In the series Dracula is pushing a new wireless electrical system (not unlike Teslas work). Up against him is an ancient order similar to the masons which is called the order of the dragon. They are behind the standard type of electricity that we know and love with its sprawling, dangerous cables all over the place. They are also the descendants of the people that had condemned Dracula to immortality centuries ago. He is determined to destroy them and dominate the market for electricity.
With the help of assistant Renfield (Nonso Anozie), he is trying to find a way to be able to go out in daylight. All seems to be going well when he meets Mina Murray (Jessica De Gouw) at a party he throws and becomes convinced that she is the reincarnation of his wife. He becomes obsessed by her but she shuns him. She is about to be married to Jonathan Harker (Oliver Jackson-Cohen).
It is a dark and moody series, the atmosphere is spot on for the story line and the actors are convincing. A strong cast also includes Katie McGrath as Lucy Westenra, Ben Miles as Browning and the very talented Victoria Smurfit ( Trial and Retribution, Cold Feet, Ballykissangel) as Lady Jane Wetherby, member of the order and Vampire killer. Dracula juggles advancing his corporation with searching for a daylight cure and his obsession with Mina. I'm looking forward to its return.
Well that's Friday, and while I am typing I may as well get Saturday out of the way. What is wrong with TV companies? Every bloody Saturday is the same. Sports, misc. repeats and "other" programs, whatever they are. Do they assume that every single person apart from sport fans are out for the night every Saturday night? Its ridiculous really.
At least Sunday is usually good. Until next time, er, keep watching!
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