What I'm Watching

[smallhobbit]

I don't normally watch a lot of television, in some weeks nothing at all, but this past week I've watched 5.5 hours plus last weekend bingeing on an eight episode Netflix series.

So, what has been keeping my attention?

Firstly, Call The Midwife.  As ever I've really been enjoying the latest series.  So many competent women working hard for those around them.  Life isn't always easy, it can be a real tearjerker at times, but it's realistic reflecting the ups and downs of daily life.  Yes, it normally ends on a positive note, but there's nothing wrong with that.

Secondly, Great Asian Railway Journeys.  I don't particularly like Michael Portillo, but he does do a good job with these series.  Earlier in the year I watched the eleventh series of Great British Railway Journeys, which was looking at Britain around 1936 which I found very interesting.  I'm also finishing the fourth series which I'm watching on DVD.  I really like the format of comparing how life was like when Portillo's Bradshaw's Guide was written (1860s) to current day, there's such a lot to learn both regards history and what's happening now.  The guidebook for the Great Asian journeys is dated 1911.  So far, he's visited Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.  Although I knew a reasonable amount about Hong Kong, I know very little about countries of Indo-China so again I'm finding it very interesting, both in terms of the history and the geography of the area.

Thirdly, Good Omens.  We don't have Amazon Prime, so I'm only now getting to watch the series, one episode a week.  I've read the book, so I have an idea what will happen, but I'm enjoying it.  I watch it when it's broadcast and then SM watches on catch-up, so I quite often see part of it for a second time.

Lastly, Secrets of the Museum.  This started last night and looks behind the scenes of the Victoria and Albert Museum - one of my favourite museums.  I'm fascinated by seeing what goes on in the background and this was perfect for me.  The programme included preparation of two of the dresses for the big Christian Dior exhibition the museum held, plus the repair of Pumpie the Elephant - a Victorian handmade elephant in need of surgery on his trunk.

The Netflix series was The Stranger, starring Richard Armitage (who else?)  I understand it was the most popular series on Netflix last weekend.  SM and I watched together, which is unusual, our tastes tend not to be the same.  It's a thriller and was quite gripping at the time.  It seems to have been very well received, but although I enjoyed it while I watched it (hence the binge watch), looking back I found some of it totally irrelevant (not red herrings, those I accept) and I was very disappointed with the ending.  Others will no doubt disagree.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

All very interesting. The only one I know is Good Omens, which I liked. I love Crowley.

[smallhobbit]

I'm enjoying Good Omens - Crowley is great :)

[mightymads]

I’d love to watch the series about railways, both British and Asian, sounds intriguing :)

[smallhobbit]

I learn so much from these series - and the scenery can be spectacular.

[moth2fic]

I enjoy Portillo's railway adventures for all the reasons you mention, though I don't seek them out. I recently watched his railway exploration of Australia which was interesting in itself and also foreshadowed current problems - one episode spent a great deal of time looking at coal mining.

I saw Good Omens on Amazon Prime and like you, was familiar with the book. I was vaguely disappointed. I thought they rushed through some of the action so rapidly as to 'lose' anyone who didn't already know the story (my husband, for one) and spent too much time on other sections. That's not to criticise the actors (brilliant) or the story itself, just the decisions made by the directors and producers.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I enjoyed the Australia one, and would recommend the Asia ones if you get the chance.

We're two-thirds of the way through, and I don't remember the book well enough to spot how much is being left out, although there are bits I think I should have seen. So far SM is following the plot, although I did have to explain a bit at the beginning about the baby swap.

[moth2fic]

I don't think anything was left out - more bunched up and then stretched, if that makes sense. Husband tends to want immediate comprehension. Actually, I do, too, so since I'd read the book and re-read it fairly recently, all was well!

[rusty_armour]

I'm looking forward to watching new episodes of Call the Midwife when it airs on PBS.

I just saw Michael Portillo's Great Indian Railway Journeys, which I really enjoyed. I thought it provided a lot of interesting information about different parts of India.

I really liked Good Omens, though there were some bits from the novel that I missed. I read it for the first time last year, so it was pretty fresh in my mind.

I hope I get to see Secrets of the Museum on TVO or PBS. I love shows like that. :-)

[smallhobbit]

It's been another very good series of Call the Midwife

Yes, I enjoyed Great Indian Railway Journeys and learnt a lot about India from it. I do hope you get Secrets of the Museum, it really is very interesting.

[annofowlshire]

I’ve read Good Omens and seen the TV series, but I’m currently rewatching it with the Mister who is experiencing it all for the first time. Great fun!

[smallhobbit]

Excellent! It's definitely interesting getting to see it through someone else's eyes - especially when they don't know what's coming.

[margaret_r]

I'm currently enjoying Call the Midwife too. Would like to see Good Omens but not sure if or when it will screen here other than on Netflix so might end up buying the CD.

Portillo's railway journeys have been recommended to me before by Moth2fic, but I haven't seen any, will have to try and find out if they will also be screened here.

[smallhobbit]

Glad to find someone else enjoying Call the Midwife.

If you can catch any of the railway journeys I think you would enjoy them - they're a fascinating combination of history and scenery.