Oh Crap

[przed]

I've just seen an episode of The Chief that I adored. Rats. I wasn't supposed to start actually liking the show. I was supposed to burn through the episodes and get them off the PVR.

Anyway, it's the episode where Cade brings in the Italian judge to speak at a law enforcement conference. The ep's got all the usual flaws of the show (shoddy production values, a lousy musical score, heavy-handed moralizing) but the character stuff was lovely.

The friendship between Cade and the judge is nicely played by both actors, not to mention there's a h/c factor, always a good thing in my books. (Cade is shot while trying to protect his friend from an assassination attempt.) And there's some nicely mysterious stuff with Cade trying to figure out why he intimately knows the location of the conference when he can't remember having been there before. It also doesn't hurt that Martin is utterly gorgeous in this one, being all broody and guilt-stricken. (You Pros fans out there, does that remind you of anyone?)

All in all, a most satisfying ep.

Now I'm going to have to start taping the darn things again.

ETA: Almost forgot to mention that the Cade icon from the lovely agentxpndble.

Comments

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I never got to see all the Chief eps (I actually liked the series, but that's neither here nor there), but this one was by far the best of all I'd seen. I wish I could get this on DVD just for that ep alone, though having Martin around in Cade form does not bother me one whit.

Nicole once wrote a small vignette for the zine the Media Cannibals put out, Guilty Pleasures, that was a fascinating crossover with Bodie and Cade -- I hesitate to call it crossover, because there's no interaction, but it's kind of more of a mental crossover. I really loved that little story, and reread it recently when I came across the zine. Made me want more of Cade... is the series on disc yet?

[przed.livejournal.com]

That story sounds fascinating. I don't suppose it's online anywhere.

In general, I tend to like Cade better in fiction than on the show. (The Doyle/Cade crossover Full Circle, is a favourite guilty pleasure.) On the show, at least in most of the first season, he comes across as a bit too bloodless and smug for my taste. (And then there are the huge issues I have with the production values, writing and highly variable quality of acting.)

And no, The Chief isn't out yet on disk. I rather doubt it's likely to show up any time soon. If you're willing to wait, and don't mind old technology, I could dub you a copy of my tape. Just bug me in about a month, when the film fest and various writing deadlines I have are in the past.

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

I could make you a copy of the whole series on DVD (I think it's 5-7 discs, have to check) - przed is the only person I've ever made copies for who's player didn't want to play them. They are taped off TV - I can do region free really fast, region 2 if you want to wait a little longer.

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

Mhuahahaha!

If you get a complete set (of good quality) I'd pay money for it - My copies are about half good, half crap and I *LOVE* this show... I'd offer to copy mine for you but... We've been down that road. :-(

P.S. If you make me screen cap the series, so help me...

[przed.livejournal.com]

You are evil. Evil, I tell you.

I might be able to make you copies on tape if you like. The digital channel that's running it seems to have bought an infinite run of the silly show and they're at about episode 6 of the Cade run. It's going to depend on my time, though. And my husband's forbearance. (The reason I'm trying to get the darn things off the PVR is because we're trying to get the capacity down to a reasonable amount before the new TV season starts. So, if I start filling it up again with Martin again he's gonna keel me ded. He's already calling the the SVR, Shaw Video Recorder, since it's chock full of Chiefs and Deeds.) Which is a long way of saying, I'll give it a go.

I'd never make you screen cap the series. Well, except for the Italian judge ep.

[przed.livejournal.com]

BTW, I love, love, LOVE the iBrow icon. Genius!

[phantomas.livejournal.com]

I love LOVE LOVE The Chief :)
The episode you mention in particular. I'd kill (not really) for a clear DVD copy of those eps.

I think I read somewhere that Martin did conceive the Chief as an older Doyle, and that episode seems to confirm it. An older Doyle that has learnt to to tame is wilder instincts, but they are still there.
As far as production values go, I honestly don't think the series is so poor. It has a typical Brit feel to it, it's all shot on location, which adds a gritty realism to it (and i helps me the fact that it0s been shot where I (and Martin, too)live, Norfolk and Norwich, so those locations are very much real to me.
The climate conditions seen in the series are exactly what they are, gloomy ;) there's a certain starkness that's 'real', to me, in the colors of the places, because it is real and not studio reproduced.
I't s not glossy or polished, but somehow that makes it a positive quality for me.
/blabbering about The Chief :D
(besides, it was as far as I know, the only locally produced TV series by Anglia television, which of course does mean that there was very little money involved)
Someone should make a The Chief songvid. Possibly a Doyle and Older Doyle/Cade songvid....*bats eyelashes*

[przed.livejournal.com]

Too much film school has spoiled me on what I'll accept in production values, though I was pretty picky even before I studied production. (Just the fact that it's shot on video puts my teeth on edge, let alone the dodgy shot composition, but I realize that's not going to detract from the show for everyone.) Weirdly, they must have had a some money, because they do a lot of helicopter and stunt stuff that I know isn't cheap. I just wish they'd spent the dosh on recording on film instead of tape.

I know there are those who consider Cade an older Doyle, but for me Deed fits that better. In Cade, Doyle's fire seems to far dampened, but Deed has the maturity but still has the ability to get nicely riled up. (I love the episode where the man he put away is threatening his daughter and he goes ballistic.)

[shaw012145.livejournal.com]

This episode has a Judge feel about it, now. It would be nice to see it bought out on DVD along with A&E, and Achilles Heel. For those who don't know this - there is a shower scene and him drying himself afterwards which is very ooh laa laa (from what I have been told).

[przed.livejournal.com]

I'd definitely like to see A&E on DVD. I'd not heard of Achilles Heel, but shower scenes with Martin are always a good thing.

[shaw012145.livejournal.com]

You can see Achilles Heel at the British Film Institute (BFI) in London. You have to book in advance.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Groovy. I've often walked by the BFI in London and wished I had a reason for a visit. Shall have to remember this for the next time I make it across the pond.

[shaw012145.livejournal.com]

Just remember to book in advance if you get the chance. They have a pristine copy of FACELIFT too, apparently.

There is also a STILLS Library at the BFI. Photos cost an arm and a leg. Think it was about 30 pound for a 10x8 picture.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I've never been able to steel myself sufficiently to watch Facelift. What's your opinion of it?

As for the stills library, that is quite a packet, isn't it?

[shaw012145.livejournal.com]

For Professionals Fans - Facelift also has the actor who played OJUKA. It is very weird, however, Martin - hairy chest, taking off makeup, putting on makeup, singing .... he is a NAME --- the NUMBERS are boring, however, it is nice to see him and that glorious upper body with no shirt!

BFI prices are very steep, however, pictures that are not on REX when you do a search for Martin.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I do like Clarke Peters. (We saw him in the West End in Chicago a few years back. And he's awesome on The Wire.) And shirtless Martin is always good. But Facelift just always sounded so, well, naff.

[shaw012145.livejournal.com]

I agree it is odd and probably only for the die-hard Shaw followers who want to see as much of his work as they can. I fit into this category and take the good with the bad.

I would rather watch Facelift 100 times over, than watch Rhodes again. However, each to their own and this is just me.

[przed.livejournal.com]

Someday I'll probably cave and watch Facelift. With hands hiding my eyes, no doubt.

I think I'm with you on Rhodes, though. It played on CBC when I was still in my honeymoon stage with Pros and Shaw and even given that I never made it all the way through. Naff is far better than dull.

[shaw012145.livejournal.com]

The grave side scene was brilliantly acted and it took me 2 years to watch the last episode because I knew Rhodes dies, and I did not want to see Martin do this. Stupid I know, but when I did see it I realised I was a twit for waiting so long.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Ooh, you should have been warned about the judge episode! Yeah, that's the one that made me fall for the show. Lovely, in all the ways you mentioned, and I fall for the scenery as well.

[przed.livejournal.com]

I think I'd heard someone mention the judge ep, but I had no idea it was so good. I can't stop thinking about it.

And yeah, the scenery is awesome, in a barren sort of way.