Menu
Forums
New posts
What's new
New posts
Latest activity
Awards
Log in
Register
What's new
New posts
Menu
Log in
Register
Forums
Global Telly Talk
Classic UK TV
The Great British Sitcom
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Mel O&#039;Drama" data-source="post: 386094" data-attributes="member: 23"><p>Else's departure for Australia has certainly shaken up the format of <em>Till Death Us Do Part's</em> sixth series, a year which is arguably characterised by changes or errors to continuity.</p><p></p><p>With Dandy Nichols disappearing over the horizon, most of Else's lines fall to Patricia Hayes as Min. There is a similar energy, but it helps greatly that Patricia Hayes is a good actress. In all truth, she's probably better than Dandy Nichols who seems to have made a career out of playing the same simple, outspoken character in everything (albeit extremely well). Further helping things, Min isn't fulfilling exactly the same function as Else. She was established as the Garnetts' neighbour way back and is still playing the same character who has some of Else's characteristics but also some different ones of her own. Notably, Min doesn't have Else's cruel impishness (which seemed pushed to the limits in one of her last appearances when Alf phoned her in Australia and she left the phone on the side to chat to the milkman, before hanging up with a satisfied smirk). </p><p></p><p>Nonetheless, it is a little jarring that Min and Bert now seem to spend most of their time in Alf's living room when we rarely saw them before. Also notable is that Bert is now played by Alfie Bass. I think this makes him Alf #3. Bill Maynard previously played him and I'm fairly sure he was played by another actor in the character's first appearance (the one where Alf has diarrhoea while the loo is broken and has to keep rushing next door) where he didn't really speak.</p><p></p><p>Other continuity notes: from the Garnetts' living room, characters have referred to Min's house and indicated an internal wall on the opposite side the house from where it was established. I thought Min's home was established as being on the side where the Garnetts' stairs and front door are, but they appear to have somehow swapped with the neighbour Alf was said (in several early episodes) to have fallen out with.</p><p></p><p>Also, Rita and Mike's baby has not been seen for a very long time now. It's either early Series Five or even Series Four since we saw him. He didn't even get a mention until one of the last Series Six episodes. I'm assuming it's done for convenience - so that they don't have to film with a screaming baby. But it seems a tad <u><em>too</em></u> convenient since they seem to all be able to spend nights at the pub or dash out to the airport without any indication that they have a child at all. </p><p></p><p>Another disappointment this year is that Joan Sims hasn't appeared as Gran. It's another hurdle to get past since her presence would have added much-needed familiarity.</p><p></p><p>All in all, the changes bring a sense of a series entering a period of change which is recognisable as those seen in later episodes of so many TV series where the main cast begins dwindling. It's subtle - and a far cry from the godawful last year of <em>On The Buses </em>- but it has lost a little of its identity. </p><p></p><p>Not that it's not watchable. Despite the obstacles put in its path this year, I've still found Series Six far more moreish than many of the Sixties episodes and the actors are giving their all to this enforced new direction, with some good onscreen chemistry.</p><p></p><p>Once I've watched the final episode of Series Six, there'll just be the half a dozen Series Seven episodes to watch. But that won't be the Garnett saga. Not by a long chalk.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mel O'Drama, post: 386094, member: 23"] Else's departure for Australia has certainly shaken up the format of [I]Till Death Us Do Part's[/I] sixth series, a year which is arguably characterised by changes or errors to continuity. With Dandy Nichols disappearing over the horizon, most of Else's lines fall to Patricia Hayes as Min. There is a similar energy, but it helps greatly that Patricia Hayes is a good actress. In all truth, she's probably better than Dandy Nichols who seems to have made a career out of playing the same simple, outspoken character in everything (albeit extremely well). Further helping things, Min isn't fulfilling exactly the same function as Else. She was established as the Garnetts' neighbour way back and is still playing the same character who has some of Else's characteristics but also some different ones of her own. Notably, Min doesn't have Else's cruel impishness (which seemed pushed to the limits in one of her last appearances when Alf phoned her in Australia and she left the phone on the side to chat to the milkman, before hanging up with a satisfied smirk). Nonetheless, it is a little jarring that Min and Bert now seem to spend most of their time in Alf's living room when we rarely saw them before. Also notable is that Bert is now played by Alfie Bass. I think this makes him Alf #3. Bill Maynard previously played him and I'm fairly sure he was played by another actor in the character's first appearance (the one where Alf has diarrhoea while the loo is broken and has to keep rushing next door) where he didn't really speak. Other continuity notes: from the Garnetts' living room, characters have referred to Min's house and indicated an internal wall on the opposite side the house from where it was established. I thought Min's home was established as being on the side where the Garnetts' stairs and front door are, but they appear to have somehow swapped with the neighbour Alf was said (in several early episodes) to have fallen out with. Also, Rita and Mike's baby has not been seen for a very long time now. It's either early Series Five or even Series Four since we saw him. He didn't even get a mention until one of the last Series Six episodes. I'm assuming it's done for convenience - so that they don't have to film with a screaming baby. But it seems a tad [U][I]too[/I][/U] convenient since they seem to all be able to spend nights at the pub or dash out to the airport without any indication that they have a child at all. Another disappointment this year is that Joan Sims hasn't appeared as Gran. It's another hurdle to get past since her presence would have added much-needed familiarity. All in all, the changes bring a sense of a series entering a period of change which is recognisable as those seen in later episodes of so many TV series where the main cast begins dwindling. It's subtle - and a far cry from the godawful last year of [I]On The Buses [/I]- but it has lost a little of its identity. Not that it's not watchable. Despite the obstacles put in its path this year, I've still found Series Six far more moreish than many of the Sixties episodes and the actors are giving their all to this enforced new direction, with some good onscreen chemistry. Once I've watched the final episode of Series Six, there'll just be the half a dozen Series Seven episodes to watch. But that won't be the Garnett saga. Not by a long chalk. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
What month follows July?
Post reply
Forums
Global Telly Talk
Classic UK TV
The Great British Sitcom
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top