I am watching The Missing, and enjoying it (so far).

But I still enjoyed this.

There is a name for it, it's called 'insight'. If you aren't able to grasp the meaning of a programme that's okay but why would you want to decry those that do?

Very very true. This series showed how his crimes affected those who had any connection to them. The damage he caused is reflected in real life crimes and was very well written.

I consider the problem with TV today in general is the affect television imports from the U.S. has had on British audiences and not in a good way either. If there isn't a car chase an explosion and a body count in the first 15 minutes then the viewer tunes out. Oh and let's not forget everyone must be young, slim and look beautiful.

Overall, Series One and Two were undoubtedly the best. Three just dragged on too much and little actually happened. So much character development was missed. Sally Ann and the kids just sort of faded away, the suicide attempt stuck in there as a tease that went nowhere. Hints of a possible nine more murders that went nowhere. The nurse, who went nowhere. Inspector Merlin whose arm injury went nowhere. That hanging storyline with Jim messing on with that MP bloke went nowhere.
Nevertheless, the drama was all there. I just think that Spector should have been awake by the end of episode two and up and about by episode three. Instead he was still in hospital by episode four.
I'll buy series three but I'll always favour series one and two and rewatch them often!

I thought series 1 and 3 were the best.

Series 1 was so scary to me that I had to watch it in daylight hours series 2 seemed like a parody and I wasn't fully engaged in it, but series 3 drew me in again. I thought the first 2 episodes were slow, but the intrigue about whether he was feigning his memory loss and whether the nurse was going to be his next victim had me hooked. His character was way beyond any possible redemption, but it was interesting to find out what had made him the way he was.

Of course there were lots of moments where you couldn't believe the stupidity of those in charge. Having his hospital room in sight of his victim's bed with only minimal security in the corridor. Allowing a young, attractive dark haired nurse who was his victim type to be alone with him. Similarly, after his attack on Stella and Anderson, wouldn't he have been taken into a maximum security prison? But apart from the obvious plot holes, I thought series 3 was a huge improvement on series 2.

I can't see the point of that

Ha! One of the things that made me eyeroll the most watching this was Stella's perfect hair!

There's some fabulous American TV out there. Thank God for streaming, I feel like I never have to miss a show anymore, or at least get to see it long it gets shown on this side of the Atlantic

Please enlighten us with your list of fabulous American TV. Pity the forum doesn't have audio as you could do it Alan Freeman style.

Do you not remember the scene in series 1 when he attacked Annie Brawley and her brother? It was his immense power and determination to overpower that was so frightening.

Oh, that must have been so hard for you to watch.

To be fair, The Fall had its fair share of young, slim, beautiful people too, but it also had more depth than the kind of wham-bam car-chase programmes you are comparing it with. In this case, Paul Spector's good looks and charm were an essential element of the story, as was the fact that all his victims fitted a particular profile (young, attractive, dark-haired professional women).

for example Gillian and Jamie

Me too....

Me three.

The power of Jamie's performance was that he had the merciless stillness and serenity of a wild predatory animal - and his superb physical condition made him totally convincing in his shockingly quick and brutal outbursts of violence.

What a cracking finale - I am watching it again shortly tonight.

So poor old Wallander is going to get the living shit kicked out of him... twice!

Me four.
As you say so eloquently, it was his 'merciless stillness and serenity' that made his brutal attacks on the psychiatrist and Stella so shocking. The tension was built up so well by Jamie playing the calm, almost docile dude. You could sense something was going to happen but didn't know exactly when until it hit you between the eyes.
Brilliant acting.

Thank you.

I agree he was absolutely superb, I think people get blinded a bit by his looks but the bloke is an excellent actor.

When he exploded it was a like a big cat/crocodile/shark attack - quick, brutal and utterly final - poor old Merlin was rendered quite armless!

Likewise Gillian - she is beautiful but she is also wonderful - I love her in period dramas as well (watched the first few series of the original X-Files many moons ago but not the reboot).

Because sometimes I like the concept/premise but the execution is so poor that I realise I don't want to commit to watching the whole thing. I get nosey and want to find out what happens in the end. I surely can't be the only one who does that! So much TV, not enough time....

Always loved Gillian. One of the best working actresses today. I don't think i have ever seen a duff performance for her

Her work in Bleak House, Straightheads, Hannibal and Great Expectations are other wonderful performances. She was also a revelation as Blanche Dubois in last year's west end run of A Streetcar Named Desire

Gillian Anderson is 48?

First rate actress. One of the best of her generation.

I haven'tstarted the second series but iirc the first series was on around the same time as series 2 of The Fall and while it was possibly more gripping the series finale was rubbish imo.

And still very beautiful and slim

Without a doubt
People are entitled to their opinion but i get annoyed when i see harsh comments about her performance as Stella Gibson. Gibson is a very ambiguous character. She comes across as emotionless and very cold. You honestly never know what she is feeling. That isn't Gillian being a bad actress. That's Gillian playing the character that Alan Cubitt wrote her to be.

Why is it so difficult for some not to realise that ?
It's like they have a grudge against that actor / actress so therefore cannot appreciate that person' abilities to act out the part .