 "Foyles war 2" | 2009-08-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A27VEX97YI7R0H |
| The order was filled promptly and delivery was ahead of promised time. The quality of material was excellent |
| |
 "A step down from season 1" | 2009-06-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A250AXLRBVYKB4 |
I love Foyle's War Series 1. I think it's some of the best TV out there. I had high expectations for season II, but unfortunately I felt a bit let down. First off, all of the things I loved about season I are largely still intact, including great characters, solid acting (especially Michael Kitchen), and very high production values. What deteriorated was the writing and plotting, which both seemed stale and in some cases just a re-hash of season I. Some of the episodes are too similar to those in season I, or include elements that just don't feel right in the show's larger context. I've tried to leave this review as free from spoilers as possible, but in some instances this was not entirely possible, so read at your own risk.
The first episode "50 Ships," has a complicated storyline that borders on implausible and includes a few too many cardboard cut-out characters for my taste, including a 'noble rouge' German spy, a ruthless scofflaw American businessman, and a an 'old ninny wife,' all in much too close proximity to one another. Without getting into plot details, the motive for the murder is tenuous at best, and baring a confession, there would be zero evidence to convict the culprit on. The ending also includes a strange and unnecessary lecture from Foyle, something that seems entirely out of character. Episode grade: C-
"Among the Few," seeks to answer the question "How often can Andrew Foyle get himself mixed up in a crime in just two seasons of Foyle's war?" The answer apparently is 25% of the time, considering this is a large part of the plot in "Among the Few" as well as season I's episode "Eagle Day." (This is a general failing of the series; most of the crimes involve or happen around friends or acquaintances of Foyle or his family--this gets old quickly). There are other remarkable (or just lazy) similarities between the two episodes, which include: 1. One of the primary suspects in each crime is a skirt-chasing sleaze ball who misuses his position of authority to take varying levels of advantage of the young women under his command; 2. Both include as a major plot element a series of elaborate checks that must be circumvented for a crime to take place (in "Eagle Day" the crime is theft of art and in "Among the Few" the crime is theft of fuel); 3. Both involve an 'inside man' plot line; 4. In both Andrew Foyle is suspected to be involved.
Add to that a historically problematic approach to addressing the issue of homosexuality in the military (Which I should mention is a worthy topic to write stories about so long as they aren't reduced to preachy asides or treated with very poor historical accuracy). In addressing a pilot in the same RAF squadron as his son Andrew, Foyle both condones the character's sexuality (possibly forgivable) and indicates that said character should be willing to disclose his sexuality to his squadron mates (ridiculous at best in the historical context--more on that to follow) and then even goes so far as to chastise the character that he 'does his fellows a disservice' when the character states that they won't understand and that things would be even worse for him if he did; all of which is absolutely true given the context of a WWII fighter squadron full of alpha-dog pilots and a harsh military brass that at the time would have ejected him from military service in a matter of hours after he identified himself as homosexual.
Even in the smaller context of Folye's character this conversation is forced and feels silly. Foyle to this point has never expressed anything but the most traditional of views on virtually all topics and has comported himself as a traditional English gentleman (who at that time period were sadly frequently bigoted). There is nothing to suggest that he is an idealist, an intellectual, or a libertarian. He is not a socialist, and does not at any previous point espouse liberal views. That he would support or not support homosexuality isn't really the issue; even if he did he would ABSOLUTELY know (as a long time policeman) that there is about a 0% chance that a self identified homosexual would be treated with anything but hatred and disgust by his fellow soldiers and commanding officers. However wrong that might be, Foyle's War is a PERIOD DRAMA and as such, CANNOT rewrite history to prove a point. When it does it is stooping to sermonizing, and fails to make an argument--instead it resorts to emotional arm twisting. The topic could have been much better handled. Episode Grade: D
Happily, "War Games," comes along just in time to divert the second series away from being a total disaster. The plot line is pretty good , and includes some very memorable scenes (particularly good is that between Simon Walker and Lucy Markham near the end). Only burdened by two more primary suspects that are friends or former friends of Foyle, War Games is fun, well done, and hits at some of the complex social issues of the day, like how to conduct business with honor in a time of war and what to do with individuals who are very valuable to the war effort but otherwise morally compromised. Episode grade: B+
"The Funk Hole," is by far the best episode of Season II. Set at a private residence turned boarding house (aka hiding place) for the wealthy seeking solace from the bombings in London, it is a traditionally constructed 'who done it' with the appropriate ensemble of misanthropes, cowards, and those with secrets and those who can expose them. Paired together nicely with a plot involving stolen food supplies and infidelity, it is nuanced and quite a delicious little mystery. The silliness of some characters is offset by the tenaciousness of Foyle in both his quest to uncover the solution to several murders, as well as clear himself of false allegations that he committed sedition. We get to see more of Sam and Andrew, as well as Foyle at his logical best. Episode Grade: A
Series II is still reasonably good TV. It's just not fantastic like Season I. Still very watchable, and easily recommendable if you enjoyed the first season. 3/5 Stars. |
| |
| "Quality, thoughtful, entertainment" | 2009-05-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: AFMVV60AYMXWF |
| Foyle's War is one of the best British television series ever made. Great performances by a talented cast, excellent writing/plots, and exceptional attention to detail. Aside from the mysteries to be solved, the program is a good way to learn about life in Britain during the second world war. Not just the blitz and bombings -but it's effect on every aspect of daily living. You don't get many episodes for your $$, but it's still very much worth it. |
| |
| "DeeVeeDee Foyle's War 2" | 2009-04-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A32ZMFLIFEI7IG |
| These are some of the best mysteries I have seen. They are the equal of the David Suchet Poirots or the Joan HIckson Miss Marples. both of which I enjoy thoroughly. |
| |
| "Nostalgia" | 2009-04-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3O83RN7FQVAZR |
| For those interested in what it was like living in war-torn England - then all the series of Foyles War are a must. |
| |
| "Historic Setting adds plausability to detective drama" | 2009-02-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2WLR8CU6LDZO2 |
To put this simply, this series has an engaging, well rounded set of characters and is set in early war-time (WW2) southern England, often mixing history with the drama and mystery of a detective mystery. All in all, each episode has been quite good, often being as impressive as many large budget films. In a few places attitudes of the now replace attitudes of the war era, which hurts the show from a purist historical perspective, but casual observers should probably not be bothered! Due to the nature of the visual props and the use of historic persons, the show seems to promise a good representation of the attitudes of the times, but that has not always been the case.
Great shots of Spitfires flying, old automobiles, military vehicles, often impressive air raid recreations.
Quite gory, as though the film crew studied forensics manuals before filming, and other than that, I would say that if you have children and don't care for them to be exposed to cultural garbage, this is a good show for them.
It is a very good program, worth watching. |
| |
International Available
