Heartbeat thread

[davidb]

has anyone else noticed that if the characters who have been with the show since the very start had aged the same way ,in real time it would be about 1983 by now

[Marky B]

I must admit I haven't seen it for years. I like it because of its use of the North Yorkshire Moors and the Whitby scenes.

Ta Ta

Marky B

[NathanC]

I have been a 100% devoted fan ever since the series started and it is my firm belief that Heartbeat epitomises all that is needed for a perfect TV show. For example, there are intense and gripping storylines which never get boring; colourful and engaging characters who always succeed in keeping the viewers engaged and interested and whom the audience comes to care for as well.



The location is the best place in the world, with the rolling hills, the attractive greenery and the delightful old buildings. The classic 60s vehicles provide further authenticity and when all these factors are combined, they succeed in transporting the viewer back to a small, quiet village in England in the 1960s.



The music is excellent and well-chosen and provides the appropriate mood and settings for the show. Heartbeat has some of the greatest music ever committed to television.



The acting too is of a very high standard and the actors' hard work and dedication is clear to see. The policemen are very likeable characters who regularly perform acts of bravery or courage and who can easily be looked on as role-models and set good examples which the audience can then follow. The villains/criminals are very interesting characters. Their personalities range from the downright mean to the misunderstood. The viewer can see that there are many other types of people in the world. Some are not as nice as we would hope; others are in the wrong place at the wrong time and are more deserving of help rather than jail. We should not judge a book by its cover, but should, nevertheless, remain on our guard.



Yet another positive thing about Heartbeat is its deep morals and underlining principles. In each episode the difference between right and wrong is explored in detail and teaches the young how and how not to behave. I have learned good social skills from watching this show and have learned a great deal about other people too, thanks to the wide range of characters portrayed, both regulars and guests. It is my firm belief that Heartbeat is extremely beneficial to people of all ages, particularly due to the absence of foul language and sexual-related themes. Heartbeat is the real deal.

[CaptainWaggett]

Hasn't it been set in 1969 for the last 15 years? Though, confusingly, the first episode of The Royal (which I admit is the only one I've seen) involved lots of conversations about the new tv channel BBC2.

[Dame Starry]

name='davidb']has anyone else noticed that if the characters who have been with the show since the very start had aged the same way ,in real time it would be about 1983 by now

It's one of the few 'family entertainment' programmes left on TV - I don't think it matters one little bit!



DS x.

[davidb]

yeah its feelgood tv ,very sweet etc ,the problem i have with it is because of a spoof expose in the viz comic where nick berry was bragging about all the 60s dollybirds he was pulling in aidensfield " after all theres only selwyn froggett and mr roy out the basil brush show for competition "he was quouted as saying ,since then i havent been able to take it seriously ,also ,and this is true of life on mars and ashes to ashes as well ,everything looks too clean ,particularly the cars ,actually the film ive used as an icon ,quadrophenia ,was critcised at the time for not having the authentic 60s cars etc in the background ,looking at it now it looks more authentic than any episode of heartbeat because it captures the ordinaryness and the grime of everyday life ,not a classic car parade

[Grey Wyler]

I remember in an episode of Heartbeat not too long bak, that they were watching the Apollo 11 landing on telly in the pub, so therefore we can date that episode as taking place in July 69.



A couple of episodes recently have had some seventies music, last nights had Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who. So can we safely presume that the show has now finally reached the 1970's?

[davidb]

the way some of the original charactors have aged it should be around 1985

[winsfordtown]

Back in 1998 when CEEFAX used to run a television question and answer section on it's pages and there was a long running argument about the date in which Heartbeat as was meant to be set. Eventually a viewer, who was an ardent fan, came up with a very credible solution based on information from Yorkshire TV how the series was at that point had reached 1969 and was looking forwarding seeing the characters develop in the 1970's.

[cully]

name='winsfordtown']Back in 1998 when CEEFAX used to run a television question and answer section on it's pages and there was a long running argument about the date in which Heartbeat as was meant to be set. Eventually a viewer, who was an ardent fan, came up with a very credible solution based on information from Yorkshire TV how the series was at that point had reached 1969 and was looking forwarding seeing the characters develop in the 1970's.

I agree. Whenever anything happened in the show to give away which year in the 60s it was supposed to be, it always seemed to be 1969!

[CaptainWaggett]

The last time I saw it was about 10 years ago and the storyline was about a tv shop getting in a stock of colour TVs in anticipation of demand. So 1969... But isn't the Royal meant to run parallel to Heartbeat? The only episode I've seen of that was the first one and it involved the hospital buying televisions for the wards so that the patients could watch thew new channel - BBC2.



So I assume it's set in 'the past'.

[Chevyman]

But the transmission also featured "On The Road Again" and "World In A Jug" by Canned Heat from 1968......The mind boggles

[Grey Wyler]

Yes, it really seems pretty tired now. I think a good opportunity was missed, taking the show slowly through the decades would have been great fun.



Although i still watch it, it really is not as good as it was and probably should be quietly laid to rest.

[Jackdaw]

I worked it out as 1969, but don't worry about their station having a steam-hauled train service. (The last steam engines ran in service in 1968 but most local services had been dieselised well before that).

The punters won't notice, Darling.............

[bhowells]

Didnt the Australian soap The Sullivans run on for far longer than the duration of the Second World War.

[Mark O]

I recall the very first episode when Nick Berry was the main star, and as it was 60's based I thought 'right, that's my cuppa tea'!.........as I remember there were many of the extras walking about as Hippies so I assumed it was the Summer of love in 1967, but it seemed to shuttle back and forth throughout the decade with storylines about Railway line closures, etc;



I also recall an episode when Jason Durr was the main star and he was filling out some kind of Police log book with August 1968 as the written date, but as has been said it's time to enter the 1970's (along with the accompanying fashion sense!)

[Dandy Forsdyke]

Well the 70s didn't really start til about 1972/73, so...

[Steve Crook]

name='Dandy Forsdyke']Well the 70s didn't really start til about 1972/73, so...

Or even later when you get as far from London as Yorkshire

It's the distance = time travel effect again



Steve

[retroman]

I recall an episode featuring Vernon Scripps a while back when he was reading the paper dated in 1969 in Bernie's garage. However the programme makers have clearly abandoned in recent seasons any attempt at logical continuity, and are I think content to stretch suspension of belief to an acceptance by anyone watching that Aidensfield and their folk are now stuck in 1969 in perpetuity!

[NathanC]

The way I see it, Heartbeat - especially the earlier series - almost depicted the day to day lives of Nick and Kate Rowan, hence I don't think it would be too much of a stretch to suggest each series (Series 1-6 definitely) took place merely within weeks of each other, with a month or two perhaps between each series, particularly how there wasn't a serious crime like a murder every episode.



Nowadays, with specific dates like the moonlanding being mentioned, I think my theory has been laid to rest, but I'll still maintain each of the early series took place in a few weeks or so.