stayinflyte

This ages PRECISELY well and should be commended for that, in fact. When you put into perspective that the entire premise of this show is that we watchers get to go back and forth through time while watching it and (hopefully) figuring things out, I feel that this episode's writing was perfectly suited for the times. And yes, even by the detectives. This was made in the mid 2000 and, like them or not, the acting, language, and reactions all admirably fit those production times. In fact, this episode should be given a high score (thus my 10 to counteract someone's absurd 4 given a couple of years ago) because of the story's openness and celebration of love regardless of social parameters. I think this is an absolutely masterful filmmaking lesson is mature and powerful direction. Had there been any snarking, eye-rolling, or head-shaking I'd agree that it "didn't age well", but instead I found the complete opposite. I thought all aspects of this mystery were handled with the maturity and dignity that this group of detectives gives all of its cases. Because the WORDS of the time that were used don't match the accepted ones of today does not entail a "does not age well" punishment by a faceless virtue-signaler.

Regarding the production itself, I liked the lighting and cinematography (some of the camera angles and effects were very effective), but my biggest takeaway was how much I enjoyed the exceptional character actors. I love this series as a whole, but my usual complaint is that one or two of the character actors doesn't quite have the acting chops to keep me engrossed without a chuckle or two. But every one-time character in this episode is stellar.

Great episode. Don't miss it.

Kate Mara? Seriously? They couldn't find a talented Scottish actor to play her role so they went with an American New Yorker? Why? And I love Charlie Cox in just about anything, but an English guy playing a Scot? Admittedly he does a fair job with the accent, but again they couldn't find a Scottish actor instead? Billy Boyd as a Scot too?! Sigh...

This could've been a standout movie, but the odd casting decisions just made it laughable and, ultimately, unwatchable for me. It's hard to immerse one's self in a story with such glaring language idiosyncrasies.

Despite the casting missteps, this is beautifully photographed movie, the direction is top-notch, and although the script takes a few liberties with the real story it's still believable and engaging. I just wish the production team had found some actual Scottish talent for the front side of the cameras.

Excellent casting and acting (even the individual episode guest talent), interesting and engaging stories that hearken us oldies back to the cop series of the 70s, characters who are almost-instantly likeable and worthy of caring about, and some really impressive production techniques. What more could you want in a bigeable series?

These attributes alone would likely get me to watch, but let's discuss the elephant in the room that truly sets this series apart. The flashbacks. Mostly filmed using the photographic technology of the times during those flashbacks, this super-effective direction and cinematography concept is the clever transportation device that takes us viewers back to the time when the "cold cases" originated. Combined with some fun music and scoring choices, it's super-creative stuff that could've easily devolved into a childish "lookie what I can do" bit of silliness, but every episode I've watched (I just started binging a few weeks ago) uses this approach to storytelling effectively and with respect to its viewer's intelligence. Good directorial restraint, in other words. Overall this is already a very impressive series, but in my opinion some of the flashback scenes are truly award-worthy.

If this "early aughts" series slipped by you like it did me (I was raising little ones at the time but I WAS watching "House" back then, so hearing that theme song in season three of this series blew my mind for a sec) give this one a few episodes. I think you'll be impressed.