Talking Heads 2

darker, and with fewer happy endings than the first series, "talking heads 2" is a real treat. alan bennett's ability to capture natural voices, phrases and opinions shines through, here. some characters are unsympathetic ("the hand of god"); some are very easy to emapthise with, despite the terrible things they do ("playing sandwiches"). the sharp performances from a superb group of actors, and very understated direction and lighting, make the series even more intense. "miss fozzard finds her feet" had me laughing aloud: patricia routledge's upright, proud narrator is quite content to blur the lines of morality by the end of her half hour. "waiting for the telegram" left me flabberghasted and sobbing, as dame thora hird's subtle, gentle performance revealed far more to the audience than the character could ever have realised. so carefully constructed as to be almost real, it's a triumph.