Hinterland

[llywela]

I've been enjoying the new series of Hinterland, which is showing on BBC Wales at the moment. It's a solid police drama. The cases are intriguing enough and atmospheric enough to hold my interest. The cinematography and scenery are always stunning (my Mum was complaining the other day that it makes Ceredigion look a bit bleak and grey, but I've been to Aberystwyth enough times to know that the sun doesn't ever come out there). I love having a show on TV that attempts to reflect how bilingualism actually works in Wales. It's always fun spotting old Pobol y Cwm actors (my close neighbour Yoland Williams hasn't shown up yet, but give it time: we don't have that many actors in Wales). And Richard Harrington always puts in a strong performance as DCI Tom Mathias.

My one complaint, really, is that I'm kind of bored with brooding heroes tormented by the angst of a tragic past. They're a dime a dozen in this kind of show. I think I'd appreciate the show so much more if it subverted the genre so that instead of focusing on Tom angsting over having to do his job while wallowing in self-pity, it centred instead around Mared and Siân: these two sharp, professional women constantly frustrated in their efforts to solve cases by the emo antics of their superior officer!

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

I hear you on Mathias, but mainly, I am just JEALOUS!! We haven't had any more Y Gwyll/Hinterland since that first series last year and I'm missing my fix of gazing at Aber while eye-rolling at Mathias's steroetypical angsting.

*sulks in the corner*

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Series 1 aired nationwide eventually on one of the minor BBC channels - hopefully series 2 will as well. If it gets a bit of publicity, you might even hear about it in time to watch!

There was a feature-length episode earlier this year. And now this new series - we've had two episodes so far.

[thisbluespirit]

Yes, I remember you mentioning the special and I've been keeping an eye on BBC4 ever since, but there's been no sign of it - or I didn't look at the right time. I really hope we get both eventually!!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed! It's so easy to miss something so little and unheralded. I've meant to watch the all Welsh version on S4C every time, but never know it's on until it's over!