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Homeland on Ch4 (UK Pace) - No Spoilers!


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Old 20-02-2012, 20:04
MoreTears
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A few Guardianistas are commenting that the women (in particular) in US dramas tend to be unnaturally attractive (as if they've just walked out of 4 hours of hair and make-up) which somewhat prevents you from suspending your disbelief. What I like about Euro dramas is that the people are more 'normal' looking or at least more natural in their attractiveness.
And those Guardianistas may have a point about certain US shows I can name, but it is certainly not true of Homeland, despite what they seem to believe. Claire Danes is no more attractive than any number of women I see in offices any day of the week. Morena Baccarin has looked very glamorous in other shows, but not in Homeland. Neither Danes nor Baccarin are wearing any make-up or clothing that is not believable for their characters and what they do. As for European dramas, the two main women in Forbrydelsen both looked more attractive than the women playing their counterparts in the American remake, and in Borgen the actress playing Katrine was not only gorgeous, but one of the most beautiful women I have seen on TV in a long time. Not that I have a problem with Katrine being gorgeous, but it gives the lie to the notion that European shows present more "normal" looking women than American shows.
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Old 20-02-2012, 20:06
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A few Guardianistas are commenting that the women (in particular) in US dramas tend to be unnaturally attractive (as if they've just walked out of 4 hours of hair and make-up) which somewhat prevents you from suspending your disbelief. What I like about Euro dramas is that the people are more 'normal' looking or at least more natural in their attractiveness.
Yes, if you were to believe US TV, every woman who works as a doctor, lawyer or cop in America is a supermodel. And that goes for most of the men too.

Mind you, there are also some very attractive women in these recent excellent Scandinavian series on BBC4
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Old 20-02-2012, 20:06
MoreTears
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Has the Israeli series "Hatufim" that "Homeland" is based on
been shown in Europe or the US?
It hasn't been shown in the US, and I have not even heard about it airing anywhere other than Israel.
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Old 20-02-2012, 20:17
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Has the Israeli series "Hatufim" that "Homeland" is based on
been shown in Europe or the US?
It hasn't been shown in the US, and I have not even heard about it airing anywhere other than Israel.
Good news for Showtime- they won't be hearing
"The Killing" -style grumbles about
"The original Show was better" .
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Old 20-02-2012, 20:19
MoreTears
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Good news for Showtime- they won't be hearing "The original Show was better" .
And you just know there is a legion of people, many of them at DS, who are dying because they WISH they could say that.
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Old 20-02-2012, 20:38
allie4
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There have been lots of good Scandinavian series pretty much each week on BBC4 for the past couple of years - Wallander, The Killing, Borgen etc. They seem to not be on many people's radars - maybe 'cause they're subtitled. Am also looking forward to the Danish series Those Who Kill (Den Som Dræber) starting on ITV3 this Thurs.

I thought the first ep of this was okay - not as good so far as the European stuff I've been watching of late though, and not as good as the hype but maybe it'll improve. A few Guardianistas are commenting that the women (in particular) in US dramas tend to be unnaturally attractive (as if they've just walked out of 4 hours of hair and make-up) which somewhat prevents you from suspending your disbelief. What I like about Euro dramas is that the people are more 'normal' looking or at least more natural in their attractiveness.
Well, helloooo, TLP! Really good to see one of us on here!
I know exactly what you mean about the contrast between this and our subtitled dramas but for once I thought this was actually very promising. Well above average for an English speaking drama and a pleasant surprise.
I also hate the 'cookie cutter' glamour types cast in US and even to a certain extent British dramas but in Clare Dane's case she is lovely but believable and a very compelling actress.
But in Britain and the States we're a long way away from casting good actors who are right for their parts and not 'Names' or hot totty! Sadly.
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Old 20-02-2012, 20:43
Matt D
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Good


It was critically acclaimed when it ran in the US. According to Metacritic, it was the no.2 critically rated series of the season, after Breaking Bad. It also won some well deserved Golden Globes... Best Drama, plus Best Actress for Danes. Unfortunately Lewis didn't win the Best Actor GG, although he was at least nominated.
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Old 20-02-2012, 21:31
RecordPlayer
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That ad was a bit Keen....but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this cracking, finger twitching first episode.
Aha! but is Brody really sending coded messages with his 'twitchy fingers'?

I thought it was disappointing when Claire Danes' character finally found something on Brody - you just knew she would. Would have preferred the tension to last a bit longer into the next episode....but very exciting so far....
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Old 20-02-2012, 21:44
LostFool
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It was critically acclaimed when it ran in the US. According to Metacritic, it was the no.2 critically rated series of the season, after Breaking Bad. It also won some well deserved Golden Globes... Best Drama, plus Best Actress for Danes. Unfortunately Lewis didn't win the Best Actor GG, although he was at least nominated.
If you look at the performances as the characters develop across the whole season (no spoilers) then Lewis is very, very good but Danes is exceptional.

Enjoy the ride.
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Old 20-02-2012, 21:48
RecordPlayer
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What happened to Claire Danes? Its looks like shes aged 20 years since 2007?
I don't think I've seen her in anything, but her acting is superb. I almost became a nervous wreck myself, just watching her.lol

I loved it. Damien Lewis was creeping me out.
Great actor - he's good in this. I was convinced he was American after watching him in Band of Brothers, until a friend of his told me he was English.


ETA - Hello to familiar faces.
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Old 20-02-2012, 21:49
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Outstanding TV. Nuff said
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Old 20-02-2012, 22:16
allthatyouwant
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Just watched the first episode and was blown away, was a bit sceptical what with all the hype but i was glued to my screen all the way through - the acting is superb (have never really noticed how good of an actor Damien Lewis is but wow!) and the bit at the end where
Spoiler
was one of the most shocking things i've ever seen!
Can't wait for the episode! Can anyone tell me how many episodes there are overall?
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Old 20-02-2012, 22:35
dunravin
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For me after seeing the whole season I would say it was average at best.

As silly sometimes and implausable as 24, but taking itself far more seriously. No where near in the same league as shows like The Killing, The Wire, The Sopranoes etc..
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Old 20-02-2012, 22:52
Matt D
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Just watched the first episode and was blown away, was a bit sceptical what with all the hype but i was glued to my screen all the way through - the acting is superb (have never really noticed how good of an actor Damien Lewis is but wow!) and the bit at the end where
Spoiler
was one of the most shocking things i've ever seen!
Can't wait for the episode! Can anyone tell me how many episodes there are overall?
You don't need to use spoiler tags to discuss anything from episodes broadcast on Channel 4.

"No spoilers" means no discussing anything from episodes not yet broadcast on Channel 4 (as the whole thing has already been on in the US).

There are 12 episodes.

For me after seeing the whole season I would say it was average at best.

As silly sometimes and implausable as 24, but taking itself far more seriously. No where near in the same league as shows like The Killing, The Wire, The Sopranoes etc..

Fair enough, although your opinion is a minority opinion.
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Old 21-02-2012, 00:00
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I really like this show, Claire Danes is brillient.

Was it me or did Brody sort of rape his wife? She didn't look like she was enjoying it.

And I can't believe I saw Morena Baccarin's boobs That was great.
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Old 21-02-2012, 00:02
Matt D
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And I can't believe I saw Morena Baccarin's boobs That was great.
Hallowed are the Orici's boobs
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Old 21-02-2012, 00:58
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If you look at the performances as the characters develop across the whole season (no spoilers) then Lewis is very, very good but Danes is exceptional.

Enjoy the ride.
My thoughts too, Damien is great throughout just Danes was mesmerising in some scenes in the second half of the season.
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Old 21-02-2012, 01:08
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For me after seeing the whole season I would say it was average at best.

As silly sometimes and implausable
as 24, but taking itself far more seriously. No where near in the same league as shows like The Killing, The Wire, The Sopranoes etc..
After reading this I feel safe to post on here. I'm totally underwhelmed by this cliched, aren't we brilliant - not, show.

Quite frankly I'm baffled at the over the top response it's received. Do no others see it's just the emperor's new clothes of drama?
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Old 21-02-2012, 01:16
MoreTears
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After reading this I feel safe to post on here. I'm totally underwhelmed by this cliched, aren't we brilliant - not, show.

Quite frankly I'm baffled at the over the top response it's received. Do no others see it's just the emperor's new clothes of drama?
What others see is something you are apparently blind to -- Homeland is an outstanding show with very high-quality writing and acting. Your posting history at DS indicates you are a fan of Hollyoaks. As someone who appreciates Homeland for the fine work of drama that it is, I think I would be disturbed if Homeland WAS something you liked.
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Old 21-02-2012, 02:20
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I liked the pilot but past US shows have been shafted by Ch4 and put on at the late hours(The Event being an example). Hopefully they won't put Homeland in some midnight viewing spot and keep it the good time slot it has .
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Old 21-02-2012, 03:52
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Sundays at 9pm will be its regular timeslot. One i'm certainly happy with.
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Old 21-02-2012, 08:22
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[quote=RecordPlayer;56687034]I don't think I've seen her in anything, but her acting is superb. I almost became a nervous wreck myself, just watching her.lol

Claire Danes was in Star Dust which was only a few years ago but is almost unrecognisable in this.
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Old 21-02-2012, 10:48
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I liked the pilot but past US shows have been shafted by Ch4 and put on at the late hours(The Event being an example). Hopefully they won't put Homeland in some midnight viewing spot and keep it the good time slot it has .
Yes, I almost didn't watch Homeland because of this, but glad I decided to watch - but C4 had better not dare getting up to any scheduling mischief....
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Old 21-02-2012, 11:52
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For me after seeing the whole season I would say it was average at best.

As silly sometimes and implausable as 24, but taking itself far more seriously. No where near in the same league as shows like The Killing, The Wire, The Sopranoes etc..
After reading this I feel safe to post on here. I'm totally underwhelmed by this cliched, aren't we brilliant - not, show.

Quite frankly I'm baffled at the over the top response it's received. Do no others see it's just the emperor's new clothes of drama?
I respect the right that both of you have to your opinions, but disagree with them both. Average? No, Underwhelming? No, Cliched? No.

I'm not going to get into the minutae of why you're wrong for fear of spoiling anything, but suffice to say that Danes, Lewis and Patinkin are uniformly brilliant in their respective roles, ably supported by the rest of the cast. The writing is equally as good, if not better.

I've seen 24, The Killing (both versions), The Wire, and The Sopranos - they're all very, very good shows, along with countless other great shows out there. Homeland's had one season, a very, very good season. It's too early to say where it will sit comparatively in the long-term, however, seeing as both have had one season, it's easy to say that Homeland is easily as good as the US version of The Killing so far.
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