3.10.07

The Whistleblowers - Drama That Delivers

Initial Impression: Sucked in right from the beginning.

The Bottom Line: I can't wait for Thursday night.

Thoughts: I read Daphne Lockyer's teaser storey on The Whistleblowers the other week and it really got me looking forward to the premier of the programme.

All I can say right now is that I am utterly hooked. The Whistleblowers is one of the best thriller/drams out there. (Looking forward to Spooks returning though.)

Ben Graham (Richard Coyle) and Alisha Cole (Indira Varma) are our two protagonists - two very human lawyers (who would have thought it). They see the need to get involved when they witness the horror of "extraordinary rendition." They have their reservations though. Who wouldn't feel a twinge of trepidation when a man with a hood over his head is thrown into a van in front of you and you are told to look the other way? They vacillate but Ben's curiosity leads him deeper down the rabbit hole. Then things start to get difficult and the classic "the government can ruin your life" tactic kicks in. Lucky for Ben, Alisha "stands by her man" when it would have been far easier and lucrative not too. And the storey unfolds. I won't spoil it.

These are two characters played by two wonderful actors. Coyle is bang on - Jeff's a great character and but he inhabits Ben's character as well. Let's hope he can make him just as memorable. And Varma is a sight to behold too - assertive, bright, beautiful - we're glad that she's off Torchwood and on show where she can shine like she did far too shortly on Rome.

The editing and pacing feel right and the direction and camera work is equally solid. My only complaint is the end of the episode and how Ben and Alisha handle the press. It felt a little "hokey" to me. Its a minor hitch that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the programme. Hopefully the storey and the characters continue to impress.

I will be watching this Thursday for The Whistleblowers.

Posted by Cosmopolitan Critic at 9:24 AM

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1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Having just watched Thursday October 11th episode, I wish to thank the writers and producers for making the public aware of what academies, creationism and The Labour Government are doing to the secondary education system in this country. Local Authorities are being blackmailed by Lord Adonis and his department into accepting academies as part of their Buildings Schools for the Future programme. As some authorities have been told, no academies go to the back of the queue[ when funding will be very low!]. unison, education unions and GMB have all bee actively trying to alert parents to the issues raised in the programme. Sadly many people have see this as purely a fight for jobs. this programme of Whistleblowers highlighted the fact that Local Authorities are handing over the runnning of schools to private business forever. once a state school becomes an academy it remains so with no control over curriculum, selection Special needs provision or equality for staff. Parents as governors , parents having a say in the running of their child's school becomes a thing of the past. I just hope parents realise now that their children's futures are at stake.

3:16 PM

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