I've read the other reviews on here, They range from one that obviously doesn't 'get it' and compares it to car crash TV (have they even seen it ???!!!, I don't think they have); to fellow Brits that loved it. Not surprising as it certainly encapsulates the irreverent northern British attitude to life. No messing about, sod the risk and get it done, break a few rules if you have to - and have a laugh while doing it. It's a strong flavour, so I shouldn't be surprised at the odd marmite response. I hope that most people love it too? If you're expecting Morse or Scott & Bailey you will be offended, that's the intent.
This show turns every stereo type on its head. Paul Abbott brought us 'Shameless' - a joyful, unapologetic celebration of the council estate underclass and all of their faults. Faults that can actually be strengths in the long run; and he's done it again with a huge dollop of 'Girl Power' for want of a better phrase. Shameless' strongest characters were the women, they were the family glue, doers and problem solvers. No Offense is far more overt. The girls haven't only learned to drive, they own the bloody car so get out of the way or you're getting rammed!
Most of the characters smashing in the headlights are women. Yet this is no Cagney & Lacey - I haven't seen one bit of designer knitwear yet. This is not a cynical attempt to capture 'the female demographic' at prime time like the 80's New York Cop show, quite the opposite.
There's the soft centred yet canny, hard as Blackpool rock and ferocious boss, DI Deering (Joanna Scanlan) who prefers the ladies loo to an office for a briefing. And the absolute opposite, recently promoted virgin in a brothel DS Joy Freers (Alexandra Roach, Utopia)who obviously feels she shouldn't have been promoted at all but is going to find a back bone and earn it. Stuck in the middle and the one that should have been promoted is the level headed, capable, ultra brave and prone to wrong decisions, DC Kowalska (Elaine Cassidy). Her unfortunate and accidental squishing of a murderer's skull with the help of a bus ruled her out of the detective sergeant's spot. Was it wrong for me to laugh so much that I didn't need an enema? 'No', says Paul, 'It's okay'. We are given a wealth of characters, with an insight into their off duty and totally unguessable private lives. There are too many good actors to mention;even those with a a few lines are already making their presence known.
It's not just about gender and tearing up some stereotypes. I'm happy with the supporting role of tough yet deferential DC Spike Tanner (Will Mellor - 2 Pints Of lager And A Packet Of Crisps) who comes across as big brother to his even bigger sisters; and the seen it all still smiling despite a banging hangover Miller. I'm not sure of his job. Teckie? Forensic pathologist? This enigmatic role is meat and gravy for Paul Ritter. He's also kicking backside with his 'petrified of being outed' political animal MI5 spy master in 'The Game' (BBC).
The underlying plot that will run 'til the end is the hunt for a serial killer preying on young girls with Downs Syndrome. The subplots are many motley yet major crimes, about one an episode, which is enough to give variety as well as depth. Human nature and the motivations that make people 'bad' seem to be a theme, however I'm only three shows in, maybe it's not.
Comedy is born of tragedy and the tragedy here is that the perverted killer's victims are the most innocent and vulnerable of all God's creatures. Pure pathos. Yet no one is made to feel guilty about the laugh out loud moments despite the serious subject. Having come from a police family with a few burnt out alcoholic wrecks as testament to an often traumatic, thankless job I can understand and even vouch for the humour. It's a coping mechanism to make light of something that would put some of us in a mad house. Example;
There was a suicide on the rail line near us. An uncle attended along with others including firemen. They found the victim strewn along the track. But they just couldn't find the head, the last remaining piece and possibly crucial for ID as it was way before DNA profiling. The search went on for hours until finally a fireman found it in an adjacent field. To announce the discovery he picked it up by the hair, looked it in the eye and said 'You won't do that again, will you'?! Those close enough to hear cracked up. That's the dark humour, Paul Abbott has found the head.
Thanks Paul. You and (let's not forget 'em, they love to break the rules too) Channel 4 deserve a big, hearty thanks and many awards.
As I said, this is meaty, feisty Marmite doing a power riff; not a limp and bland cucumber sandwich accompanied by strings on an idyllic English lawn.
Can anyone smell toast?
IT'S FINISHED NOW! Saw all episodes and it got better and better - a lot of the questions I asked were answered; It's now a box set on 4OD for those that didn't catch it the first time round - get in a bottle of Chardonnay (DI Deering drinks it) settle back and wallow in the low down, sewage soaked, crazed streets of Manchester. There'll be twist after turn after double bluff to kleep you hooked. The 'Sisters' are really doing it for themselves and man did they 'do it'! I'd have to climb to the top of Everest to be able to recommend this highly enough - MENTAL!
This show turns every stereo type on its head. Paul Abbott brought us 'Shameless' - a joyful, unapologetic celebration of the council estate underclass and all of their faults. Faults that can actually be strengths in the long run; and he's done it again with a huge dollop of 'Girl Power' for want of a better phrase. Shameless' strongest characters were the women, they were the family glue, doers and problem solvers. No Offense is far more overt. The girls haven't only learned to drive, they own the bloody car so get out of the way or you're getting rammed!
Most of the characters smashing in the headlights are women. Yet this is no Cagney & Lacey - I haven't seen one bit of designer knitwear yet. This is not a cynical attempt to capture 'the female demographic' at prime time like the 80's New York Cop show, quite the opposite.
There's the soft centred yet canny, hard as Blackpool rock and ferocious boss, DI Deering (Joanna Scanlan) who prefers the ladies loo to an office for a briefing. And the absolute opposite, recently promoted virgin in a brothel DS Joy Freers (Alexandra Roach, Utopia)who obviously feels she shouldn't have been promoted at all but is going to find a back bone and earn it. Stuck in the middle and the one that should have been promoted is the level headed, capable, ultra brave and prone to wrong decisions, DC Kowalska (Elaine Cassidy). Her unfortunate and accidental squishing of a murderer's skull with the help of a bus ruled her out of the detective sergeant's spot. Was it wrong for me to laugh so much that I didn't need an enema? 'No', says Paul, 'It's okay'. We are given a wealth of characters, with an insight into their off duty and totally unguessable private lives. There are too many good actors to mention;even those with a a few lines are already making their presence known.
It's not just about gender and tearing up some stereotypes. I'm happy with the supporting role of tough yet deferential DC Spike Tanner (Will Mellor - 2 Pints Of lager And A Packet Of Crisps) who comes across as big brother to his even bigger sisters; and the seen it all still smiling despite a banging hangover Miller. I'm not sure of his job. Teckie? Forensic pathologist? This enigmatic role is meat and gravy for Paul Ritter. He's also kicking backside with his 'petrified of being outed' political animal MI5 spy master in 'The Game' (BBC).
The underlying plot that will run 'til the end is the hunt for a serial killer preying on young girls with Downs Syndrome. The subplots are many motley yet major crimes, about one an episode, which is enough to give variety as well as depth. Human nature and the motivations that make people 'bad' seem to be a theme, however I'm only three shows in, maybe it's not.
Comedy is born of tragedy and the tragedy here is that the perverted killer's victims are the most innocent and vulnerable of all God's creatures. Pure pathos. Yet no one is made to feel guilty about the laugh out loud moments despite the serious subject. Having come from a police family with a few burnt out alcoholic wrecks as testament to an often traumatic, thankless job I can understand and even vouch for the humour. It's a coping mechanism to make light of something that would put some of us in a mad house. Example;
There was a suicide on the rail line near us. An uncle attended along with others including firemen. They found the victim strewn along the track. But they just couldn't find the head, the last remaining piece and possibly crucial for ID as it was way before DNA profiling. The search went on for hours until finally a fireman found it in an adjacent field. To announce the discovery he picked it up by the hair, looked it in the eye and said 'You won't do that again, will you'?! Those close enough to hear cracked up. That's the dark humour, Paul Abbott has found the head.
Thanks Paul. You and (let's not forget 'em, they love to break the rules too) Channel 4 deserve a big, hearty thanks and many awards.
As I said, this is meaty, feisty Marmite doing a power riff; not a limp and bland cucumber sandwich accompanied by strings on an idyllic English lawn.
Can anyone smell toast?
IT'S FINISHED NOW! Saw all episodes and it got better and better - a lot of the questions I asked were answered; It's now a box set on 4OD for those that didn't catch it the first time round - get in a bottle of Chardonnay (DI Deering drinks it) settle back and wallow in the low down, sewage soaked, crazed streets of Manchester. There'll be twist after turn after double bluff to kleep you hooked. The 'Sisters' are really doing it for themselves and man did they 'do it'! I'd have to climb to the top of Everest to be able to recommend this highly enough - MENTAL!