I love it! But it helps that I was in the army in my teenage years for almost three years. But you don't need to be in the army to understand the gags. It's not purile like Lee Nelson rubbish. It's not trying to be intellectual comedy either. It wasn't disrespectful towards the 'enemies' nor trying to play down the seriousness of war at times. I think it's great!
Also when the interpreter was saying his nephew was a taxi driver in Hamilton we loved as the taxi driver we had the other night could've been his nephew lol.
I love it! But it helps that I was in the army in my teenage years for almost three years. But you don't need to be in the army to understand the gags. It's not purile like Lee Nelson rubbish. It's not trying to be intellectual comedy either. It wasn't disrespectful towards the 'enemies' nor trying to play down the seriousness of war at times. I think it's great!
I agree about it not being disrespectful. It's no different to Green Wing being set in a hospital for example. But I just don't find it very original or interesting or funny. The only story in it is the padre love affair.
I want to like it as I think Oliver Chris is a great comedy actor, so I'll watch one more episode but only if I have time.
I love it! But it helps that I was in the army in my teenage years for almost three years. But you don't need to be in the army to understand the gags. It's not purile like Lee Nelson rubbish. It's not trying to be intellectual comedy either. It wasn't disrespectful towards the 'enemies' nor trying to play down the seriousness of war at times. I think it's great!
I spent a short time as a STAB and this does nail squaddie humour quite well, which is both its strength and its weakness. The writers have avoided too much Army slang, which would make the dialogue impenetrable to the average listener, yet kept the essential darkness and gallows element plus the crudeness - 'off you f*ck' - excellent!
The setting seems to be carefully chosen for dramatic effect but is actually a very good one. Being an Ammo Tech (the Captain) is one of the most dangerous jobs in the British Army so when he tells the padre that it is only a matter of time until he gets killed, he's not lying.
The script's good but the quality of the cast is patchy. Oliver Chris and Tony Gardner are brilliant as the officers but Stephen Wight overacts just as badly as he did in Threesome. The Jock 2-hander act is badly done as well - real porridge wogs are much drier and funnier - but Kelly Adams strikes just the right balance as the padre.
Overall, it's a competent comedy - not great but good and a solid addition to BBC3's comedy armoury.
I noticed that every ep, they tried to make it light-hearted, but there's always an incident that's not so nice. Totto is the case in point this week.
Yes, this is developing nicely. The Jock double act is growing on me a bit and the actress playing Cpl Bird has been really good for the past couple of episodes. Oliver Chris and Tony Gardner also continue to impress.
I see that there was a cheeky mention of Freckles as one of Mac and Rocket's games. This is a reference to a particularly horrible genuine squaddy game and shows that the writers have been paying attention.:D
Surely that closing scene was an homage to the 'liquorice allsort' offered to Captain Darling in Blackadder Goes Forth?
Best episode so far. Reminded me of some MASH episodes, concentrating on the characters under fire, rather than the situation. And quite poignant at the end.
Best episode so far. Reminded me of some MASH episodes, concentrating on the characters under fire, rather than the situation. And quite poignant at the end.
I completely agree. Sometimes extreme and riduculously precarious situations like a warzone brings out the best in people. Beautifully scripted episode without any sentimental b*llsh*t.
I think the LC is a really good character. Also good that they haven't used him too much but just when neccessary.
A very accurate reflection of the real ones.... I was very touched by his use of completely the opposite opinion to his true one to motivate the Captain.
Comments
I think it needs to be either more slapstick or more intelligent. At the moment it isn't really either.
It was mentioned earlier in the thread that it could have taken some ideas from Scrubs.
Given up after episode 2 - very boring.
Also when the interpreter was saying his nephew was a taxi driver in Hamilton we loved as the taxi driver we had the other night could've been his nephew lol.
I agree about it not being disrespectful. It's no different to Green Wing being set in a hospital for example. But I just don't find it very original or interesting or funny. The only story in it is the padre love affair.
I want to like it as I think Oliver Chris is a great comedy actor, so I'll watch one more episode but only if I have time.
I spent a short time as a STAB and this does nail squaddie humour quite well, which is both its strength and its weakness. The writers have avoided too much Army slang, which would make the dialogue impenetrable to the average listener, yet kept the essential darkness and gallows element plus the crudeness - 'off you f*ck' - excellent!
The setting seems to be carefully chosen for dramatic effect but is actually a very good one. Being an Ammo Tech (the Captain) is one of the most dangerous jobs in the British Army so when he tells the padre that it is only a matter of time until he gets killed, he's not lying.
The script's good but the quality of the cast is patchy. Oliver Chris and Tony Gardner are brilliant as the officers but Stephen Wight overacts just as badly as he did in Threesome. The Jock 2-hander act is badly done as well - real porridge wogs are much drier and funnier - but Kelly Adams strikes just the right balance as the padre.
Overall, it's a competent comedy - not great but good and a solid addition to BBC3's comedy armoury.
Just an obvservation but in a couple of the intro pieces Nick has sounded a little bit like a certain Second technician Rimmer to me.
Yes, this is developing nicely. The Jock double act is growing on me a bit and the actress playing Cpl Bird has been really good for the past couple of episodes. Oliver Chris and Tony Gardner also continue to impress.
I see that there was a cheeky mention of Freckles as one of Mac and Rocket's games. This is a reference to a particularly horrible genuine squaddy game and shows that the writers have been paying attention.:D
Surely that closing scene was an homage to the 'liquorice allsort' offered to Captain Darling in Blackadder Goes Forth?
A bit more indepth on Nick.
I do like the way the CO is protrayed. In many shows they are usually a pompous dick but in this he seems like one of the gang.
I completely agree. Sometimes extreme and riduculously precarious situations like a warzone brings out the best in people. Beautifully scripted episode without any sentimental b*llsh*t.
I think the LC is a really good character. Also good that they haven't used him too much but just when neccessary.
A very accurate reflection of the real ones.... I was very touched by his use of completely the opposite opinion to his true one to motivate the Captain.