Night & Day

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!

In Finland they are re-showing nowadays NightanDay series. When I first saw this series (beginning from Fiona Brake's and Dennis relationship and soon finding Jane from this spooky tea house (where all was so white and bright) I was amazed what is this. I checked it once more and then I started watching it regularly. Last Autumn in August they started to show NightanDay from the very beginning and because I didn't see those first episodes I started watching it. Unfortunately they show it in the morning time at 11am and I'm working that time. So thanks to good old VHS I'm able to record every episode beginning every week from Monday to Friday:)

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.

Night & Day is a BRILLIANT, ORIGINAL, GROUNDBREAKING TV series, which has mostly been badly treated by TV executives and it never reached high ratings, but has gained a cult following. It certainly isn't for those who only look for some lighthearted fun, who don't like to use their brain and imagination too much while watching TV, or for those who only like documentary style realism, or cannot take anything that is different from the things they are used to see. But I find it incredible that anyone can call the series bad or complain about the acting. NAD's trademark use of fantasy scenes, visions, flashbacks, great background music, weird camera angles and cinematography, its occasional weird humour and campiness, and literary and religious allusions, are very daring, but brilliant. But IMO everyone should be able to appreciate the great writing, strong story lines, complex and dynamic characters (in the sense that they all show different sides to them and undergo big transformations which are however always psychologically true) and fantastic acting, especially by (in no particular order) Georgina Walker (Jane), Stephanie Leonidas (Della), Seb Castang (Josh) and Nick Schofield (Ryan) out of the young cast, and Sally Dexter (Natalie), Cathy Tyson (Steph), Joe McGann (Alex) and the hilariously funny Lesley Joseph (Rachel) out of the older cast. The series kept getting better and better, and the ending was so strong and moving that it left me thinking about it for months and months afterwards.

RATING: 11/10

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!