The Halcyon

Article first published as TV Review: THE HALCYON on Seat42F.

Ovation has imported the ITV series THE HALCYON, premiering tonight in the states. Set in a five-star hotel in London England in 1940, early in World War II, the show follows people of all classes, from the owner of the establishment and his family, down to the staff that keep things moving. The premise obviously sounds like Downton Abbey, but THE HALCYON is more gritty, with those coming to stay there engaged in a variety of scandalous, and in at least one case, Nazi-supporting, behavior that makes it more drama-filled than that former series.

At the center of things is Richard Garland (Steven Mackintosh, Luther), the general manager of the titular waystation. Richard is very customer service oriented, working to keep his employer, Lord Lawrence Hamilton (Alex Jennings, The Crown), happy, even when that goes against the wishes of Hamilton’s wife, Priscilla (Olivia Williams, Manhattan). Things get more difficult when Hamilton’s outspoken mistress, Charity Lambert (Charity Wakefield, The Player), decides to take on a more public persona. This does not go unnoticed by American reporter Joe O’Hara (Matt Ryan, Constantine), who is staying at the hotel. And then there’s Garland’s daughter, Emma (Hermione Corfield, xXx: Return of Xander Cage), who has a flirtation with Hamilton’s eldest son, RAF pilot Freddie (Jamie Blackley, If I Stay), who is in a relationship with someone else.

That is just the tip of the iceberg of events at THE HALCYON, which boasts a sprawling cast and many plot lines. It’s a classic soap opera, with lots of drama, too much at once to be thought realistic. The pacing is quick, moving through various threads, and it’s hard to keep track of everyone and their relationships to one another at first viewing.

It’s a very beautiful show, the production design and set decoration superb. Part of the joy of watching the series is just to imagine oneself in the hotel. Most of the characters, despite their bad behavior, adhere to the classiness of the setting in outward manner, painting us a picture of a specific place and time, or at least a fictionalized version of it. The world is enticing enough to quickly get sucked into the plot.

While not as high-quality as Downton Abbey in terms of storytelling, there’re enough elements to satisfy most. The lack of believability hurts, but the actors play the roles earnestly enough to keep viewers interested and invested. Coincidences may stretch the bounds, but there aren’t any big or obvious plot holes in the first hour.

In fact, my only complaint about the premiere is that it starts with the end of the season, then jumps back seven months. This has become overdone enough that I automatically roll my eyes at any series that dares still do it. However, for THE HALCYON, it’s less annoying than in most because with the density we’re about to jump into, it does provide an intriguing hook to get the audience to expend the effort learning all of the players.

My main caution with this show, though, is that it has already been canceled, and does not contain a definitive ending. Because it aired early in the year in Britain, you can google fan reaction, and a very vocal group are calling for its return to, in part, resolve major cliffhangers. As pretty as THE HALCYON is, knowing it is incomplete and extremely unlikely to be concluded is enough to make it a pass for me in the age of so many other options. Were it airing simultaneously and its future in doubt, I’d be tempted. As it stands, I don’t see the point of spending my time on it.

THE HALCYON premieres tonight at 10pm ET on Ovation.

Travel to VERSAILLES

Article first published as VERSAILLES Review on Seat42F.

VERSAILLES is a British-Franco-Canadian production that started airing overseas nearly a year ago, and comes to Ovation in the United States on October 1^st. Taking place during the construction of the titular setting, it focuses on King Louis XIV, his struggles, his sexual dalliances, and his accomplishments, not necessarily in that order.

Louis XIV (George Blagden, Vikings) is an interesting figure. Paranoid, but not unnecessarily so, as there really are people out to get him. Self-doubting, but not hampered too much by it, at least in action if not in thought, as evidenced by his grand plans for Versailles. Promiscuous, very much so, sleeping with many women, including, but not limited to, his wife, Marie Therese (Elisa Lasowski, Eastern Promises), his sister-in-law, Henrietta (Noemie Schmidt, The Student and Mister Henri), and Francoise-Athenais (Anna Brewster, Star Wars: The Force Awakens).

The necessity of all of the women is, of course, to produce an heir, but does Louis XIV need to be with quite so many women to do so? Certainly his wife is not quick to bear him a son, and theirs is an arranged marriage in order tie France to Spain, her homeland. And sure, in this era, monarchs do sleep with multiple women, and are not wholly expected to be faithful to their spouses. But, at least to me, it seems like Louis XIV gets around more than most (with some notable exceptions).

I mentioned that one of Louis’s lovers is his sister-in-law, and that plays into the very interesting relationship that Louis XIV has with his brother, Philippe I, Duke of Orleans (Alexander Vlahos, Merlin). The two don’t seem overly competitive in the show, with Philippe knowing his place, and not seeming overly interested when the possibility of becoming king is floated by him (though he isn’t uninterested, either). But Philippe does get frustrated when Louis doesn’t allow him to fulfill his potential. One wonders if he knows that his brother and wife are hooking up, though given Philippe’s leanings, I’m not sure he’d care even if he did know.

No, Philippe does not seem to be who Louis should be concerned about, at least not right away, but there is plenty of palace intrigue occurring. Some of it comes from noble families with bruised egos, and some of it comes from those who wish to save France from being bankrupted by Louis’ wars and construction projects. But Louis has his share of allies, too, so there will be plenty of battles, both overt and subtle, to fight over the course of the series, which has already filmed a second season and been renewed for a third.

My favorite things about VERSAILLES are in the visuals. It looks pretty stunning, both the costumes and the sets, which include exteriors. The Palace of Versailles is quite well known, and seeing its erection, even in small part, is pretty cool. The acting is also pretty solid throughout, too.

Where the show fails for me is in pacing. It is excruciatingly slow, and I find myself frequently becoming bored. Slow is not always a bad thing when you’re drawn in by the intensity of the performances, but that isn’t the case here, with the story lacking any urgency or super high stakes (since we know Louis isn’t really about to be assassinated or overthrown or anything). With an historical drama, this is always a challenge, and for me, VERSAILLES doesn’t manage to overcome it well enough. Also, some of the characters look a little too similar, making it hard to distinguish between them at times.

Overall, I thought VERSAILLES does some cool things, but it probably isn’t for me. If you like historical pieces, though, check it out, as you may disagree. VERSAILLES airs October 1^st at 10/9c on Ovation.

‘My Boy Jack’ – DVD Review

Article first published as ‘My Boy Jack’ – DVD Review on Blogcritics.

My Boy Jack is a BBC production of a family caught up in the Great War. Based on real events, the movie stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter, A Young Doctor’s Notebook) as John “Jack” Kipling, son of author, poet, and outspoken hawk Rudyard Kipling (David Haig, Yes, Prime Minister).

When Jack tries to join Britain’s armed forces, he is denied because of his need for spectacles. Unfortunately, his father is out telling every able-bodied young lad that they must join up or be shunned by their countrymen. In the position to do so, Rudyard can pull strings to help Jack enlist, but should he? And how will Rudyard feel if Jack marches out and doesn’t make it home? Although My Boy Jack was made in 2007, it only recently made its U.S. debut, on cable network Ovation. It has now been released on DVD as well.

I can see why My Boy Jack might have had a hard time finding its audience. The first half of the series is a slow-moving, seemingly typical British drama. It then morphs into a war story, complete with death and explosions, before focusing on the family struggling emotionally back home. These pivots provide an uneven tone, even while maintaining the quality, so its sometimes hard knowing what to expect from moment to moment.

At a 94-minute running time, it hardly seems long enough for a biopic, but in this one, it’s plenty for the movie’s very narrow focus. Jack’s involvement in the war, and that is told from beginning to end, leaves no hanging threads.

The world referenced by My Boy Jack was a defining time for the British Empire, and it’s easy to see why a boy, who might not quite be physically fit by the war department’s standards, struggles against the odds to serve King and Country. England was at the height of its power at the time, and the British way of life seemed threatened. Combine that with the father-son relationship and Rudyard’s stance on defending the homeland, Jack will feel ashamed if he can’t participate, disappointing his father and his peers. He must enlist, and we feel his struggle.

The film’s family drama is very strongly portrayed. Rudyard is presented as a man confident in his beliefs, but not immune to being shaken by circumstance. His wife, Caroline (Kim Cattrall, Sex and the City), is supportive, but torn, proud, and not wanting her boy in danger. She knows Jack is heading to a place where many of the nation’s young men are dying every day. Jack’s sister, Elsie (Carey Mulligan, The Great Gatsby), is more straightforward with her disapproval, sharing a close bond with Jack, and scared about what might happen.

While the events portrayed in My Boy Jack happened a century ago and are easily spoiled with an online research, I’ll refrain from revealing if Jack makes it home. I will say that the story is moving and the performances are very good, even if the overall result isn’t anything particularly special.

The DVD release of My Boy Jack comes with several bonus features. We’re given six minutes of deleted scenes that are actually pretty insightful, unlike many other titles. There are twenty-four minutes of interviews with various cast members and almost a full hour discussing the war itself. This unexpected wealth of useful extras is most welcome, making the DVD feel like it’s for a theatrical film, rather than a TV movie.

My Boy Jack is available now.

Chapter Closed On A YOUNG DOCTOR'S NOTEBOOK

Article first published as Chapter Closed On A YOUNG DOCTOR'S NOTEBOOK on TheTVKing.

The British series A Young Doctor's Notebook, which has been airing on Ovation in the States, came to a close last night with the fourth episode of season one (a second season has been ordered). While short in length, it's been quite a journey for the Young Doctor (Daniel Radcliffe), from eager graduate, topping his class, to hardened, drug-addicted general practitioner in the cold wilderness. But this is nothing compared to what we learn about the Older Doctor (Jon Hamm).

It turns out, A Young Doctor's Notebook plays out in the Older Doctor's head. This explains the cartoonish style and exaggerated happenings and people. The Younger Doctor's life is not portrayed as reality, but rather the hallucinations of the Older Doctor, suffering withdrawal from morphine addiction. Unlike FX's Wilfred, the answer to the mysterious center is presented sooner, rather than later.

This changes the perception of the entire piece. At first, it seems a goofy comedy, easy to laugh at the Younger Doctor's antics, whether it be in botched medical procedures or fumbling around in general. But now, knowing this is in the Older Doctor's diseased mind, it becomes a sad, melancholy drama, one from which there is no easy escape. The laughs cover pain. As the Doctor gets tossed behind bars in the 1930s, we see not only the beginning of his downfall in the 1910s, but how he sees himself, which is not so positive.

The surreal quality of A Young Doctor's Notebook is thoroughly intriguing and enjoyable. Even when one is rendered uncomfortable by events, the series remains something that can't be looked away from. The brilliant performances by Hamm, Radcliffe, and others ground a story that could so easily be silly or ridiculous in serious emotion, while still hitting the notes of a humorous play, and it's very impressive.

In the final half hour, the Young Doctor travels to the aid of a woman who has been bashed in the skull. An Even Younger Doctor (Joshua McGuire, The Hour) assists, and this is when we see how much our Young Doctor has changed. Almost wordlessly, the Young Doctor euthanizes the injured girl, knowing there is no cure, a realization that is slow to dawn on the Even Younger Doctor, then eats ham. We can see a pattern about to be repeated, a bad cycle that will be very difficult to escape from.

The Young Doctor even fantasizes about having his license stripped, half seriously wondering how many patients he would have to let die (never kill) to escape the hell of his job. The Older Doctor finds out, unfortunately, just how low he can sink. It's a message that can sort of be communicated, since they interact in the story, but the Older Doctor holds back somewhat, perhaps knowing he can't change the course of his life. So, so sad; a bitter, inescapable destiny.

While the focus is on the Doctors, as it should be, the series would not work nearly as well without the talented work of the supporting cast. Adam Godley, Rosie Cavaliero, and Vicki Pepperdine do extraordinary work, and they should not be forgotten about. The way they lend themselves to small, supporting roles is not exactly an easy feat, balancing between being entertaining but not distracting. Each have specific moments that can be praised, and the overall effect owes a lot of credit to the trio.

The same can be said for the crew that builds the sets and costumes, and lights the scenes, as well as scores the piece. There is a tone here, reinforced by every aspect or the visual and audio presentation.  A lot more is going on than just actors delivering lines, and it's the combination of everything that really lets this succeed in the best possible way.

I don't know when we'll get a second season of A Young Doctor's Notebook, and with our eyes opened, it certainly won't be as funny and light as the first. Yet, even as depressing as it may be, I really want to see more of these characters and this world. They have left a lasting impression not to be soon forgotten, as much for the high quality of the production, as for the compelling story itself.

Peek Inside A YOUNG DOCTOR'S NOTEBOOK

Article first published as Peek Inside A YOUNG DOCTOR'S NOTEBOOK on TheTVKing.

Ovation is currently airing the four-part series A Young Doctor's Notebook. It is the story of a medical professional, fresh out of school in Moscow, who heads out to the country to run a small hospital. It's funny, in a dramatic way, and completely charming. This is a review of the first episode.

The Young Doctor, who has no established name, is played by Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame. In the first episode, he arrives near the town, and has to drag his large trunk through the snow to reach his destination. He's not even settled in among the disapproving staff, who keep talking about his worshiped predecessor, a portrait of which looms large in the halls, when he has to jump into a surgery on a woman giving birth, made complicated by the fact that the doctor has never actually seen a vagina.

That is a heck of a set up for a story, and one easy to vividly picture. Everything about the tale is a little larger than life, from the way the former physician is idolized, to the extreme give in the doctor's bed, to the incessant smoking of cigarettes. It takes a realistic situation and heightens it in the best manner possible, until it's almost a tall tale or a fairytale, laid out on screen in beautiful grey tones.

The supporting cast is appropriately cartoonish, from the long-winded feldsher (Adam Godley, Suits, Breaking Bad) to the disapproving nurses (Vicki Pepperdine, Getting On and Rosie Cavaliero, Jane Eyre). They help set the mood of the piece, and somehow manage to be disapproving of the Young Doctor, who viewers instantly love. It helps build the world that these will be the Young Doctor's companions, those who don't laud praises on him, providing stark contrast to what is on screen from those watching it.

Radcliffe is perfect for the lead part, manically rushing around, stumbling through broad physical comedy, and yet maintaining an earnest naivety that is sure to connect with viewers. His fear is real and felt; his triumphs are accidental, but celebrated. And when his ego gets a little too big, his confidence running high, he's quickly pulled back to earth by a major screw up, delivered with laughter. Sure, the role is a little similar to the part he's most famous for, but now he has only his wits to rely on, not magic.

OK, there's a little magic, in that an older version of himself (Jon Hamm, Mad Men) appears to offer unwanted guidance. The Older Doctor is seen only by the Young Doctor, and isn't exactly generous with his younger self. The Older Doctor wants the Young Doctor to learn through experience, so he doesn't reveal quick solutions, and actually proves a hindrance at times, such as tearing out a page of a medical text that might be helpful for the situation, trying to teach himself to rely on his own mental acuity when there's no time for reading.

These scenes between the two are fantastic. I'm not sure I completely believe them as the same person, especially given the height difference, but it still makes for an entertaining series by two terrific actors. The Older Doctor is frustrating, but the Younger Doctor needs him, and likely will continue thusly.

Hamm only allows his Don Draper skills to emerge during the ending scene, set years later, and this is where the drama of the piece comes in. We don't know exactly what is happening to the Older Doctor, but it seems dangerous. The rest of the time, he gets to work his comedy chops, as he has done in 30 Rock and, Childrens Hospital, proving he can span the genres with ease, making him a great pick for A Young Doctor's Notebook.

I can't speak enough praise for A Young Doctor's Notebook. If you're dissatisfied with the lackluster batch of new pilots of broadcast television, this is sure to cure your doldrums in a hurry. I highly recommend checking it out.