Mrs Positivity

Each season is far too long, so there's a good bit of filler here and there. Probably just endemic to this show, Carlos Bernard has one and a half acting expressions: glowering scowl and half glowering scowl. Kiefer Sutherland's intensity is wearing. Anyone who thinks that scenes of graphic torture are okay to watch in an entertainment is seriously bonkers, and I include my husband in that. I have to leave the room. It's just not necessary when a few words can tell the imagination that the victim is in for a bad time. The idea that it's okay for a government agency to inflict pain for information is disgusting, as is ordering the killing of an innocent agent. That Bauer can get away with some of the stunts that he's pulled, such as threatening the innocent pilot of an aircraft with a gun, is ludicrous, as is asking Bauer to kill Chapelle. Kim Bauer was written as the idiot daughter in Season 1, never learning from her mistakes. Seems to have improved since then. Can't see me watching from Season 4.

We watched the whole two seasons over a few evenings and thoroughly enjoyed it. When Suzy and Henry's relationship was under way I had to keep watching to see where the relationship could possibly go. The relationship chemistry was there and made you want them to find a way to be together. Spirited was extremely funny and the continual twists and turns kept up the interest. Matt portrayed the raw sexuality of a wanton pop star perfectly. There are three reasons that I knocked off a star. I thought that Suzy's character was portrayed as incredibly stupid at times, I found the intrusions into the surgery unbelievable and that she hadn't been struck off despite two warranted threats of law suits, and lastly the using of her sister's partner's body was incredibly gross as was the plan to invade other male bodies. Made me feel quite yucky. Steve was unbearable and lovable at the same time. The casting was perfect with not a duff player among them, and the finale was a perfect wrap to the series. Not sure where it could have gone if there had been a further series, but I'm sure that it would have been just as great.

Okay enough to watch but was frequently irritated by the lead character, Kate. Selfish, always rushing about late, thoughtless and rude. At one point she leaps over her desk. Really? I know that a character needs character, but the intended charm of a devil may care who talks while she's eating as well isn't charming. Reminds me of a line from The Big Bang Theory: "The only reason you have any friends is because people tolerate you." But some good characters and intriguing situations.

Brilliant acting by Kate Winslett, and compulsive watching to see where the plot was going next. Elena's soulmate in the violent, self-abusing, psychotic, Rasputin-like character of Herbert, played by Matthias Schoenaerts, was also brilliantly acted, and his initial rise and fall was clearly not the end for him. So it wasn't surprising that he ended up on top again, quite literally when their relationship became torrid after he killed the main thorn in her side, played by Hugh Grant, while imprisoned. Hugh Grant seems to have made a fine art of the portrayal of slippery characters. Although Elena was capable of strong feelings, they were not rooted deeply enough to overcome her desire to return to the status quo before the uprising, and despite her avowals, she ended up in character, betraying Herbert and leaving behind Agnes's son whom she professed to be as her own. The reason that I have docked a star is that the son, Oskar, was left as a loose end cowering under the bed, the one flaw, I thought, in the series. It occurred to me, though, that maybe that was for a reason. Maybe the possibility of a second season was the story of how he was whisked away and brought up to hate Elena, partly because she had abandoned him, and was the focus of the next uprising. Now there's a thought.