Breaking News** Strike Back 2009

[Katy]

We hear JM trying on a South African accent again in ep. 3. Hooray.

Katy

[Katy]

So, this series has come to an end, too, like many more before it. In a real quick review, I can say: I liked it. I really did, much more than I expected to like it. It was an action genre tv series. There was that. But it wasn't without its plot. The political stuff was interesting, though I think a lot of British characterizations of American politics and politicians project more about themselves and their own views than anything real. The Toby Stephens American character had a lot of "over the top" moments. He was almost un-bearable to watch. Don't let that keep you from watching it though-- he's not in it that much. And like many of the reviews have revealed, it is left open to make a further series. Maybe we will see Layla again... maybe.

So, I hope everyone will buy the DVD on June 7th. I will certainly be purchasing my copy. And, I will work on getting a clip up for all you un-convinced posters to see.

Katy

[Katy]

A clip from Strike Back episode 3.

Katy

[Maria]

Ah, this was such a good show! Gripping! Not my genre absolutely, but I'm so glad I watched it, thanks to JM... it's nearly perfect... The American bad guy character was a caricature, though, it rather puzzled me in such an excellent production.

Jodhi is wonderful, we get some very interesting and intense moments. But too little of them, her role just isn't big enough What a shame... This makes me sad... (I hope this doesn't make HER sad, hope she is content and happy).

Katy, I, too, would like to see a sequel and a development of Layla's character, there certainly is potential. (Especially with Collinson dead...)

[Katy]

Yeah, I agree with you about Toby Stephens' character. Over the top. But his accent was really good. His performance did stick out in an otherwise rather muted production (besides the guns and explosions).

And, I liked more than I had anticipated I would.

It kind of sounds like we are on the same page with this one.

Katy

[Flower Child]

Katy-here's a forum that may be of interest:

http://community.sky1.sky.com/forums/sh ... f011a3a829

[Katy]

Thanks, Flower Child. I guess we shall see, yes?

Katy

[Flower Child]

IMHO, based on the good reviews it was given, I think SB will go into a second season. I'm not sure if JM will join in as she appears to be the kind of woman who does not like to be "locked in" to any television work. You surely know of her many years of reluctance to buy a TV and it took a director or a producer to talk her into purchasing one. Now I wonder if she ever took it out of the carton and hooked it up!

[Katy]

I'm not sure if a second series of anything has been on the table before for JM. But to her credit, she's done episodic tv from the very beginning of her career, starting with the Gift. But certainly, episodic tv has not been the heft of her work. She did sign on to continue Blackbird in 2006, after premiering the play in 2005. That might be the closest example of JM being willing to re-visit a prior performance. So, I'm willing to say she could surprise us, if Strike Back were to continue.

To me, it would be a surprise. Having seen her Behind-the-scenes interviews and reading some of her impressions about SB in interviews, I would be surprised to see her suit up again for Leyla. But I have certainly been surprised before by JM's career path, so it's exciting to see what might come of this.

I've also read that in general British actors do not like to be "locked in" for tv series. Mostly I've seen this stated in US media about the numbers and talent that the British provide for American tv. I haven't seen the same indicators in the British press about casting their shows. I've also noticed that it's difficult to pin down British tv and series' appearances on the lineups. There doesn't seem to be a set schedule for those things, like there is here where we see the new shows in the Fall and they play through spring. British shows just kind of start and stop according to their own schedule, in my observation. There might be some pattern that I can't discern, admittedly.

But, Flower Child, I don't really follow your logic about JM not having a TV until in 2006 when Stephen Poliakoff convinced her to buy one and her willingness to appear in episodic tv. Would you elaborate on that for me? But I will say, if she never took it out of the box, her license is wasted! My understanding is that if you have a tv with a tuner, whether it's hooked up or not, you pay a license fee. If it's in your house, you pay. If there are any members from the UK reading this, if you want to clarify, please do. She has said, in the Woman's Hour interview for Blackbird, that even with the TV in her house, life is very much as it was before. I imagine that means, that, no, she has not really formed the habit of switching it on and sitting down in front of it.

Flower Child, keep your eye on SB coming back for a second series, please. Let us know if something is announced.

Katy