aejm

Britannia was a terrific surprise. Was not expecting much and got so much more.

Seasons 1 and 2 were dark, brooding, interesting. Great stories and characters. Very mystical. An original take on a key period in history. Claudius appears but not the Claudius you will recall from I Claudius.

Was REALLY looking forward to season 3.

What a mistake. Season 3 was absolute garbage. Almost unwatchable. Apart from a non-sensical story with random characters coming totally unrelated to what came before, the music was especially disconcerting. One moment it's like you're watching a 1970s romcom. The next moment it is hard metal 1990s.

It's like the original story is an afterthought. Or an excuse to take an acid trip and put it onto tape. And inflict it on the world.

Do yourself a favor. Stop at the end of season 2.

Was unaware of this show until I saw The Power Game, which is the series that follows it - and includes several of the major characters including John Wilder played by the outstanding Patrick Wymark who sadly passed away MUCH too young at the age of 50 in 1970. I am half way through the Plane Makers on DVD. After a choppy start, the series really hits its stride. Very adult and sophisticated stories jumping between office politics, union issues, business challenges, and of course personal relationships. Of its time but what is most surprising is its sustained quality - it holds the interest even today. Characters are well drawn and interesting, stories are tight and well crafted. Acting is quite naturalistic and therefore unlike some other more stagey fare of the time, really survives the test of time. And going back to Patrick Wymark - both in this and the Power Game, John Wilder and later Sir John Wilder - is a very interesting character. There is something very special about Wymark. And although almost 50 years since he passed - very sad that we did not have the opportunity to have more of him.

This set of plays for today - when today was 1976 - was released on DVD quite recently. An eclectic set of productions.

This one - The Lifeswappers - is seriously weird. Not sure if the writers were enjoying something recreational when writing it.

Its like The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and His Lover. But made in the 70s on more than one set (just).

Pork airlines was a treat. As was the cross dressing confusion.

I just wish I understood what the hell was going on ..... and what it all means.

Suggest you watch this late on a Friday night after having too much to drink.