Night & Day

The use of atmospheric popular music, cinematic camerawork and special effects distinguish this "soap", (actually soap belittles NIGHT AND DAY, perhaps serial drama is a better description). Having bored of repetitive plotlines and characters, I'd given up on British soaps, until this one arrived. Off-beat characters, regular and genuine cliff-hanger endings to episodes, even adult content in the omnibus repeats, all add up to a unique approach to a formerly hackneyed genre. The opening intrigue of the series alludes to TWIN PEAKS in that the femme fatale of the neighbourhood is a blonde schoolgirl who touches many lives before shuffling off...

All of which is good enough to keep this viewer hooked.

Strange how this oddly understated show divides opinion so violently. I watched the first 20 or so episodes when it was airing several times a week, without quite being drawn into the curiously un-insistent plotlines. The disappearance of the beautiful but unlikeable Jane Harper (Georgina Walker) ought to be an event of considerable drama, but such is the gentle, ambient quality of the show, that even this fails to move the viewer very much. Is this a failing? I'm inclined to give "Night & Day" the benefit of the doubt. When I first saw it I wasn't sure whether it was experimental or just incompetent. I don't think it really matters.

People who like quick development of plotlines are urged to stay away! "Night & Day" unfolds at a glacial pace. It was probably inevitable, in the light of this, that it would be reduced to one episode a week. This seems less an ignominious concession, and more a realisation on the part of the programme's makers of its natural tempo.

Some viewers will also be irked by the difficulty of establishing who the central character is. Initially Della, Jane's shy friend, seemed to occupy this role, but as the show has continued this would seem to be less the case.

On balance, I find the show likeable. Its lack of urgency, its ambient, dreamy quality, and its evocation of a quiet London (which still exists in pockets here and there) mark it out as unusual in a TV world where noise, incident and naturalism are the norm.

Having watched every episode so far I think this is the greatest thing to hit the screen in ages. The directing is fantastic and im sure pioneering as far as soap operas come. This is also great because it is not just targeted at the usual predominant female target audience but at young and old viewers a like, both male and female. Personally I would compare it to Hollyoaks in its target audience but completely different in its style. I think this is a space which definately needs to be watched. The characters are so distinct, from the seductive Sharon Stone(Basic Instinct) esque Jane Harper, with her michievious ways and intelligent manipulation of the male mind to the old tv favourites such as Alex (Charlie in the upper hand) and Aunt Rachel (Dorean in Birds of a feather)whom we witness in new yet very fitting roles. This Soap/drama has something for almost everyone, the almost being not the older age bracket (50+ sorry).To sum this soap/drama up I would have to say it is a combination of the escapist american shooting to the gritty British realism which has made films such as Lock Stock' and Bridget Jones Diary so popular. The experience is a vicarious ride which to a film student like myself may seem odd in a soap, but incredibally fitting. Written by Sebastian James-Yong

This soap was simply the best, but unconventional. Those who watched became devoted loyal fans. But ITV did their best to kill off interest. The late night episodes got later and later until they hovered around midnight and would be skipped at the drop of a hat. I simply do not understand why they should put in the resources to produce 18 months of programmes and then do their best to kill off the show. In addition to excellent scripts and production, the acting talent was exceptional. Many were new faces to TV and the best (Kevin Sacre, Seb Castang, Stephanie Leonides, Adam Paul Harvey, etc) have gone on to better things. The only one who hasn't has been Stuart Manning - he publicly criticised the transmission hour at an awards ceremony (Best Newcomer) and has seemingly been black listed as a result - true shame. This may well turn out to be one of those programmes like Fawty Towers or The Monkees - cancelled after a short run only to become long-running cult favourites. It was quite clear from the 'catch up' in the last episode (when the story line had moved on 5 years) that there had been enough material planned to keep it going for 5 years - very short-sighted, I say!

Night and day is a terrific, insightful, whimsical and an altogether unique television viewing experience! It is completely different to your m-o-r Home and away type soaps. NaD Centres around the lives of the residents of Thornton Street, and in particular the dissapearance of Jane Harper and how it affects those around her.

There is some terrific, hilarious and VERY camp acting to be found here, particularly in the characters of Jane, Rachel Culgrin and Ryan Harper. This show was never really given the opportunity to develop a real fan base, which is an absolute shame, as now it has been axed by its british developers, ITV. It will be ending in the UK in a few weeks time, so if you can, catch an episode, it would be time well spent! In Australia the show has about 6 months left in its run, so catch it while you are still lucky enough!

Had this great show been allowed to go on a little longer i really believe it would have become classic must-see-tv. As it is, it will remain as cult must-see-tv!