Binge-Worthy: Fortitude

[kybearfuzz]

While I've been sick, I've not done much other than flop on the couch and watch TV. I've been in recovery mode. I think I'm about 90% better, so I'm going to attempt going to work tomorrow. My co-workers will just have to get used to my raspy, frog voice for a while.


Stanley Tucci, Sofie Gråbøl, and Richard Dormer of "Fortitude"

The first disc of "Fortitude" showed up from Netflix on Monday. I popped it in the DVD player and settled back. This British series involves a murder in a small fictional Arctic Norwegian settlement called "Fortitude." One murder leads to another death along with other discoveries and indiscretions among the townspeople. US audiences will recognize stars Stanley Tucci, Michael Gambon, Christopher Eccelston, and (possibly) Sofie Gråbøl, the last being the lead in the award-winning Danish series "The Killing."

When I got through the first three episode on the first disc, I was disappointed. Netflix is good, but I knew it was going to be two days before I could watch more. While I was looking at Amazon.com to see season one was available on DVD, I found the season was available through Amazon Prime for free. And there was much rejoicing (yayyyyyyyy!!!)

So Tuesday and today, I binge-watched the rest of the season. I thought it was remarkably well-written, with various storylines interwoven together. I also enjoyed how the series led me to question the morality of a character, believing his or her actions to have been shady, only to reveal later that other circumstances were involved that exonerated him or her in my mind. It's a good mix of police drama, murder and mystery, and even a touch of horror. There was also quite a few bearded bears (series lead Richard Dormer is a handsome blond bear of a guy) as well as a bit of delightful male nudity (though sadly none with Mr. Tucci).

I am learning to appreciate the short seasons that British TV usual goes. Twelve episodes are actually quite a large season for the UK. According to Wikipedia, there is a second season being made. I'm looking forward to it already.

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Stanley Tucci has a way of finding quality projects no matter where they are produced!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'd say he's reached a point in his career where he can pick and choose which projects look good to him. He is so easy on the eyes. :)

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Any more than twelve is unusual here. Anything more and a programme becomes a soap. Quality over quantity!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I can't disagree with that. Americans have a voracious appetite when it comes to shows we love, but I think we're adapting to series with shorter spans. Shows like "American Horror Story" are often 12 or so episodes instead of the usual 22+ for other series.

I'm already looking forward to the next season, which probably hasn't even started filming yet.

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Some shows here are only six or eight episodes - which can be frustrating! I imagine Americans have picked up on that with what seems to be shown on PBS and BBC America?

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

For the most part, we only see British TV on PBS or BBC America, but luckily streaming services like Netflix have helped. I've been watching "Hinterland," a Welsh mystery series, that hasn't aired on either TV channel. A Canadian friend told me of it and I've been enjoying the English version.

And Netflix then recommends other similar shows, so I find others to watch.

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised they appeal, really - but what do I know?

[guywithmonsters.livejournal.com]

Stanley Tucci! SWOON

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

He is a hottie, isn't he? :)

[barak.livejournal.com]

This is a series I may have to look up now. I'm always looking for more stuff to add to my queues.

The past month or so, I've been working on about six series: "Man in the High Castle", "The Returned" (Season 2), "Better Off Ted", "Adventure Time" (season 5), "Steven Universe", "The 100", "Person of Interest", "Mozart in the Jungle", but really enjoying the hell outta "The Expanse".

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I loved "The Returned."

I've got a long list in my queue. I've been watching "Hinterland," a Welsh mystery series. It has a handsome bearded lead as well :)

[barak.livejournal.com]

I finally finished the second season of the Returned, I loved how it got creepier and crazier with every revelation... and it all made sense by the last episode. They don't even need to make a third season now.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I actually don't think they are making a third season of "The Returned." I got the impression it all got wrapped up at the end of the second season.