well-written, feel-good TV

[llywela]

I don't think anyone else on my f-list has been watching the Beeb's new Tuesday night drama, All The Small Things, but I'm going to talk about it anyway, because we're halfway through the mini series now and I'm really loving it. It might not be the most action-packed show ever, but it isn't meant to be. It is a story about ordinary people leading ordinary lives, a community of individuals of all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life – the decent and the devious, the sweet and the sullen, the proud and the meek – all coming together and sparking off one another.

I love the way they use the ensemble cast, keeping it revolving around a central core, but with a different character or group of characters coming into focus in each episode – it's a style the Beeb has employed with great success in other shows, like Clocking Off. It's always a nifty device for demonstrating that no matter how content or confident someone might appear to be on the surface, once the spotlight is upon them it soon becomes clear that they, too, are just another misfit muddling their way through life searching for acceptance and a place to belong.

That, essentially, is what the show is all about. The issues are different every week – we've had the family struggling to rebuild after marital breakdown, the social outcast, the outsiders – but so far every story has boiled down to the same essential core: it's about people searching for acceptance and a place to belong, and finding it in each other. Every week the spotlight turns in a new direction, and every week I fall in love with another character or set of characters: first Esther's troubled little family, then sweet, simple Shrek last week, Nemanja and Sofija this week – I've been rooting for them all! Can't wait to see whose turn it is to shine next week.

Plus, what with this being a show about choirs and all, the music is great. *G* And it's got Sarah Lancashire in it, and she is always fab. Neil Pearson has been wonderfully creepy and controlling as the slimy ex-husband, and Richard Fleeshman is excellent as the troubled oldest son, who appears to have some form of autism, while the rest of the supporting cast have also been great.

So, yeah. I'm really enjoying this show!

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Comments

[bagpuss1966.livejournal.com]

I have, I have, I have, I have! I loves it!

Ahem.

I mean, I've been watching it - it's brilliant! In fact, I was thinking in bed this morning about whether I should start a thread about it on Nfans, but thought I might be the only one watching!

I'm already shipping Esther and... what's his name - Jake, is it - the curate guy! And Esther's son and the drummer (really, I'm rubbish at remembering names, aren't I!).

Did you know that the snobby old guy 'Jabba' Tonks is Richard Fleeshman's Dad?!

I haven't heard any feedback before so I don't know how it's doing in the ratings, but I think it's great! *G*

[bagpuss1966.livejournal.com]

I've just looked on imdb.com and it says "Up 3,109% in popularity this week, which has to be good, no?!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

It certainly sounds good! I'm so clueless where viewing figures are concerned. I tend to need to see actual numbers to gauge what's what, and even then I struggle to know what's good and what's bad, relatively speaking.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

I'm not alone!

I started a thread at Nfans now, so we can natter away to our hearts' content. *G*

Jake the curate and Esther are such positive influences on each other, combining to make a real driving force for change. And the drummer chick is Grace ;-)

Did you know that the snobby old guy 'Jabba' Tonks is Richard Fleeshman's Dad?!
Is he? I totally missed that!

[bagpuss1966.livejournal.com]

I only know because I was reading mother-in-law's Radio Times and they have the same (very unusual!) surname!

Viewing figures in millions(from Wiki)

1 March 31, 2009 4.6
2 April 7, 2009 4.32

I don't know if this is good or not!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

*studies figures*

*thinks*

I'm going to declare them good. *G*

[bagpuss1966.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased to have a kindred spirit! *g*

Even Luke likes it - he said last night "you know Mum, I wasn't expecting to like this at all but I love it!" :D

Abi watched last week and this, but alas she'll have to do iPlayer next week as it's too late for her, which is a shame really as it's good family viewing. I wonder if it might have done better in the 8-9pm Sunday slot?

I wonder if Anwen's been watching?

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

If Anwen isn't watching, she should be. :D It is exactly her kind of thing!

Looks like the DVD release is early May, no doubt right after the final episode. I might have to indulge myself!

it's good family viewing. I wonder if it might have done better in the 8-9pm Sunday slot?
It is very much the kind of gentle, quirky fare that usually gets slotted into Sunday evenings. But since Sundays are always really busy for me, I'm happy with the Tuesday slot! There is nothing in the content to deserve post-watershed scheduling, though.

[bagpuss1966.livejournal.com]

Me too - I haven't checked elsewhere yet but it's only £12.68 on Amazon!

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

About the same on play and the BBC shop. Definitely one for the shopping list, if the second half of the series is as strong as the first!

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip - I don't know if I'll be able to find this one from where I am, but I'm going to try - it sounds really good.

[llywela13.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I hope you can find it somewhere. I've been loving it so much - fabulous gentle, quirky BBC drama that's all about people and how they rub along together (or not).

And...that one little rec was all it took? And yet I have never yet managed to persuade you to watch Supernatural, which is all about family dynamics and has the amazing character development...*G*

What? It was worth another shot. *G*

Seriously, I'm really loving All The Small Things so far. Classic Beeb - great writing and great cast.