Law and Order UK...

[fajrdrako]

I watched Law and Order UK, the first two episodes, with commodorified and auriaephiala. And enjoyed both stories very much. It was depressing - both episodes where about murdered children - but each was extremely interesting, not formulaic, and each made intelligent points. Despite what I always see as the dryness of police-case stories, there was matter here for heart and head.

Also a whollop of attractive leads. Not just Jamie Bamber, the glamour-boy of the bunch, not much different from his strong-and-stoic role as Lee Adama. All of them. Including particularly Ben Daniels as James Steel.

And I liked it that Martha... I mean, Freema Agyeman... I mean, Alesha Phillips, saved the day. Again.

I also really liked Bradley Walsh as DS Ronnie Brooks, the rumbled old guy that these shows like to have. It's a stereotype, but it's one I usually like.

Since I was so impressed by the writing in the show, I looked up the credits. The show is created by Dick Wolf - he's new to me, but it seems he's the writer/creator of the American version, too. But then... the other writers listed are so very familiar names: Chris Chibnall, head writer for Torchwood. James Moran, who wrote Torchwood's "Sleeper" and the wonderful Captain's Blog. Catherine Tregenna - my favourite Torchwood writer, responsible for Out of Time and Captain Jack Harkness.

My impression was that Law and Order UK is better written than Torchwood, perhaps because Torchwood presents particular writing problems, possibly because it's more complex in concept. No, that's not it. And when Torchwood is well written, it's very well written indeed. It's just... variable.

Comments

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

My comments on the episodes:
http://auriaephiala.livejournal.com/109643.html

[benbenberi.livejournal.com]

i haven't seen all the eps of L&O:UK yet, but my understanding is that all the scripts for this first series were adapted from scripts already produced for original-version Law & Order. If they make a 2nd series, I don't know if this will continue to be the case or if they will be developing original stories at some point.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't imagine they need to make entirely new stories... They can just adapt the plot ideas with a British background. And though I know almost nothing about the American Law and Order, I can imagine some episodes might not be adaptable.

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

WHOA!

I'd love to see this... I adore Dick Wolf and the US L&O programs.

Hadn't any idea so many Torchwood writers were involved in the UK version, though I knew about Freema.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I didn't know about the writers till I looked them up. I was most pleased.

I'd be pleased to learn the same people were busy working on series 4 Torhcwood too.

[hab318princess.livejournal.com]

these are stories adapted to English circumstances from the original Law and Order (I've watched the originals in the past) Dick Wolf is the producer in the US - they've cherrypicked their best / favourite episodes - that does not take away the fact that they are great eps, they just had a massive head start!

totally agree with the views on the eye candy (love Ben Daniels)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Ben Daniels is a good reason to watch the show all by himself.

I like it that they've picked some of their most interesting episodes to start with. I think this is going to be interesting.

[hab318princess.livejournal.com]

yeah, loved Ben Daniels in something with Jason Isaacs (tells you I remember the actors but not the name of the TV show) where he played a gay character... (good timing, Jason now telly with Jonathan Ross)

I think I need a Ben Daniels Icon!

back to topic - I'm enjoying Law and Order UK (ok, need a Jason Isaacs icon too)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

loved Ben Daniels in something with Jason Isaacs

Was that The State Within? I've been meaning to watch that. I love Jason Isaacs, too.

Icon - good idea.

[hab318princess.livejournal.com]

that's the one! Loved that, if you can watch it, do!

Now I just have to find some nice people to make these icons...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Let me know if you find an icon-maker, because I'd love some, too.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I found some: try
satinlie
cardiff_3

whom I found at http://community.livejournal.com/lawandorder_uk/tag/icons

[topgeargirl2.livejournal.com]

I used to watch Law and Order:Criminal Intent. So I knew that Dick Wolf created the whole law and Order franchise. There is currently three US series I know of. Law and Order, SVU (Special victims UNIT) and criminal Intent.

Sorry if you already knew that.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I've probably heard of all three shows, but didn't remember, and certianly didn't know they were related. Do they have the same characters in them?

[topgeargirl2.livejournal.com]

No they are spin offs of each other, but on occasion they have crossed over.

They all have different characters. Like Criminal Intent has Detective Goren and his partner Eames but it only deals with the procedural side of crime solving.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Right.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

There's a good interview with Freema Agyeman about Law and Order UK at http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a151707/freema-agyeman-law--order-uk.html

Those linked to pictures of Jamie Bamber (not work-safe):
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gayspy/a148012/bamber-in-the-buff.html
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gayspy/a148024/jamie-bamber-picture-special.html

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Nice interview - thank you. Looks as if the story will do something intersting with Alesha. I wonder what. I liked her description of Ben Daniels.

As for the pictures of Jamie Bamber - well, he did grow up nicely, didn't he? Gorgeous. I am reminded why I liked Battlestar Galactica so much in the first place. I don't imagine he'll be taking his coat off much (let alone other bits of apparel) in Law and Order but one can hope.