Jekyll

[The Grumpy Celt]

I watched the first episodes of this British program tonight, which is a fairly well done modernization of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story, with a bit of the Incredible Hulk, the Prisoner, and maybe even the X-Files mixed in.

British programs of this nature always impress me. Where American programs would go for a proverbial “money shot” in the first five minutes, the British are able to do more with less and sustain interest in the program.

Has anyone else seen the show? If so, what are your thoughts?

 

[jaerdaph]

I DVRed it and finally watched it today. I was very impressed too. I liked that it plays tribute to the original Jeckyll and Hyde story (according to the show, Dr. Henry Jeckyll really existed) in addition to being a brand new take on this old classic. They introduced some intersting questions and mysteries in the first episode and I'm looking forward to seeing more. I really love that the special effects are minimal, and relies on the talent of the actor to portray the change.

 

[The Grumpy Celt]

The scene with the agent making a sales pitch to Hyde while in the lions den was great, so was the terror of the mook who Hyde had worked over once already for kidnapping Jekyll's boy - and considering what happened to the mook...

Do they cap the actor's teeth, because I think they look just a touch unnaturally pointy.

 

[KaosDevice]

They actually do a suprising amount of make up for Hyde on the show. The change his chin and nose slightly, give him a new hair line and do different teeth in different scenes. But the guy playing Jekyll/Hyde just SELLS it doesn't he?

 

[Morrus]

James Nesbitt. I'm not usually a fan of his, (I hated him and Rachel in Cold Feet) but he was good in Jekyll. Yes, he has different, pointy, scary teeth in Hyde form. He also has a different hairline and other things.

The whole series was on here earlier this year. The first episode didn't really grab me, but by the end of the third I was hooked and it stayed great up until the very end, although the actual ending (last few minutes) disappointed me.

British programs of this nature always impress me. Where American programs would go for a proverbial “money shot” in the first five minutes, the British are able to do more with less and sustain interest in the program.

I think a lot of that is formatting. US networks are often slaves to 45-minute shows (and hour with adverts), "sweeps", and long season lengths of 22-24 episodes. We tend to make the show last as long as it's needed - in this case, five (was it six?) episodes of a couple of hours each. Totally different broadcasting model (although Doctor Who has adopted the American model).

 

[Brown Jenkin]

(although Doctor Who has adopted the American model).

Which is my only dissapointment with the revived show.

 

[KaosDevice]

Didn't Torchwood also follow the 'merican model? I'm really looking forward to series 2 of Jekyll (but not quite as much as I am to Series 3 of The Mighty Boosh).