Biffo

Thanks DS for not telling us the ending! My wife and I have watched all week but had to tape the final episode last night to watch later on so I was reading this thread with some trepidation! We've found it an excellent drama with (at the time of writing!) a very small amount of swearing, if any? Which is unusual for a drama after the 9pm watershed. Also thought the part of Ben was very well acted by the young actor which was obviously crucial to the whole series and to maintain interest over the five nights. Let's hope my tape recording skills haven't let me down!

DB7

I thought it strong until last night. I saw one preview that said the final episode was edited late because they wanted to keep their options open and not have the outcome leaked. And the episode framing did jump all over the place between characters and not have the flow over previous nights.

oxfam1uk

My recollection is that he was charged with murder but pleaded not guilty. The foreman (actually forewoman) was indeed asked two questions, the second of which was "murder or manslaughter". I suspect there is variation in court procedures in different parts of the UK - certainly Scottish courts are different.

I watched some bits of the final episode (not having seen any of it before).
Seemed ludicrous to me. Why do all female lawyers on TV or film have to be very attractive ?

What was that ending all about ? The young bloke watching people playing football through a fence, then walking towards a tower block at night - to the musical accompaniment of "A town called malice" by The Jam (1981) ...

Eh ???

HIPPIEDAVE

If it is set in UK must be a work of fiction ..

Dame Starry

Err......it was a work of fiction!

DS x.

Dame Starry

Maybe the usher got their words muddled at the time and nobody corrected him/her?
If a suspect was being tried and the police had wanted to cover all options and charged him/her with manslaughter and murder, then the jury would have to deliberate and then deliver a separate verdict for each charge, bearing in mind, of course, that they could find that person 'Not Guilty' on both charges.

A lot of female lawyers ARE attractive - apparently, even Clarissa Dickson-Wright was once!

DS x.

homeguard

Er, Cherry Blair? So that's the exception that proves the rule.
Disappointing ending - bit of an anti-climax I thought. And it really could have been great. Now it has just cast doubt on the integrity and ability of prison officers in general to the mass of the viewing public who believe everything they see.

Ah, well. I can get on with my hedge cutting now.

Regards,
HG

Dame Starry

To be fair to me, I only said "a lot" and I always take it as read that Mme Bliar is discounted in everything I say and do in life...........

I liked the ending - when you consider how they often keep you hanging on to these things and then it just fizzles out like a damp squib, it could have been much, much worse!

I think that Moffett has issues with the corruption within our justice system on all levels and he was just trying to get all of his points across at once; don't forget that he was a lawyer.
Personally I think that the corruption exists, but it would be wrong to believe that it is quite as 'concentrated' as was portrayed in the series.

Right - what's the betting that I end up the only person on here who liked it?

DS x.

batman

I didn't get to see any of this series but after reading all the posts this week I wish I had. It sounded like a rare example of a good drama in 2008!

"Do you know why fattries are called fattries .... it's because they are big and people make things in them."

homeguard

No, not the only one Dame. I thought the acting and plot twists were great, but was looking forward to that last scene revelation that makes you gasp and slap your forehead in sudden realisation.
As for your good looking female lawyers, at my age (and discounting Blair) they all look young and exciting. But then so do most creatures with two X chromosomes.

Regards,
HG

homeguard

No, you would have hated it Batman. They didn't slag-off the Royal Family once.

Dame Starry

It comes out on DVD in October.

DS x.

pitchfork

I missed the first episode and was rather dissapointed with the last as it appered muddled.However overall it was well worth watching and provokes a good debate.
We tend to forget how easy it is for ordanairy people who are law abiding and have little to do with the Police and Justice system to get overwhelmed when thy become involved in an incident.
Some years ago there was a local murder. Although not directly involved all of a local family were questioned (24 hours in a police station) and obviously locals friends etc.
This was essential to the investigation but very frightening to those involved. The killer who was not a family member was arrested within 3 days.
What they found difficult was remembering every detail of their actions prior to the murder when going about their daily business.
When we read of people being released on appeal and of re-trails it does make you wonder how they got there in the first place!
However when we read about a trail in the media we often never know the full details.
A good family friend was a criminal defence Barrister in the 60 and 70's and always advised me to be very careful in any dealings with the law. This was pre PACE of course.
Although the programme had its faults it certainly got me thinking and overall I am glad it was shown.

batman

???????

"Do you know why fattries are called fattries .... it's because they are big and people make things in them."

rskershaw

I thought credibility was pushed when the all powerful Prison Lord was strangled by an ageing Poselthwaite with a yellow duster!

And what's all this about me having me leg off?