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Reviews
Catterick (2004)
Brilliant!
"Catterick", starring Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer is brilliant! The first episode is very strange, but rest assured all will be explained--eventually.
The series premise is that Chris Palmer (Bob Mortimer) returns to Northern England, to find the son he abandoned years ago (when the child was four). He meets up with his brother, Carl (Vic Reeves); and the two go in search of Chris's son. They do this by interrupting the robbery of a car dealership to steal a car (yes, you read that right); thus invoking a series of catastrophic events without realising it).
The end, which I CAN'T reveal here is a brilliant piece of existentialism! (And trust me, I normally can't stand existentialism, but in this it's brilliant).
In terms of style, *Catterick*, mixes music, humor, comedy, drama, and some VERY dark bits, into a sublime mix.
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000)
Two Detectives: One's Alive and One's Not
I've only seen three episodes of *Randall and Hopkirk, Deceased* on BBCAmerica, but so far I ***love*** it. This is a VERY funny show, yet the humor (unlike most comedies, these days) comes from the situation--not at the expense of the characters. These characters are LIKABLE--Jeff Randall is sweet, and lovable, and very much someone you'd like to see happy and successful. But Jeff has a problem--he's an INCOMPETENT detective, who's partner is now dead, and haunts him as a ghost. As ghoulish as the concept sounds, it's actually a very funny series--one sympathises a lot with Jeff.
Marty, Jeff's now dead partner brings a great deal of energy to his part--he's a ghost who needs training wheels, since he hasn't quite got the hang of things yet. Tom Baker plays, Wyrvnn (and I know that's probably spelled wrong)--a spirit who is trying to teach Marty the ropes of being a ghost.
Then there's Jeannie--Marty's fiancée (Marty died on their wedding day). Jeff's falling in love with her; but neither wants to betray Marty's memory.
Jeannie cannot see Marty--only Jeff can. Jeannie has also maneuvered her way into Jeff's business, becoming his new detective-partner. (Jeannie is, at least, much more competent at detective work than either Jeff or Marty).
Anyway--great series, lots of fun. Extremely funny, but with sympathetic characters. Definitely a winner! Oh, and it *is* a re-make of a late 60s/early 70s series--but I've never seen that version, so I can't comment on it.