Photo: Mammoth Screen/BBC
The fall television season is upon us. Recently, I posted on Facebook about my excitement regarding the return of Poldark (Season 2) to PBS on Sunday nights. If you haven’t seen the show, you should. I believe you can still stream the first season on Amazon Prime. Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark is reason enough to watch it. LOL!
Anyway, someone on Facebook asked me if I watch movies and TV show for entertainment or if I am always studying plot and craft and dialogue and so forth.
Yes. Both.
But what I hope, when I go to the movies or watch a favorite show on TV or read a book, is that I will be carried away by the story and forget for a while that I am a novelist. When my internal editor clicks on, that spoils the enjoyment a little.
Poldark is based upon a series of novels by Winston Graham that were written in the 1940s. I have never read them. But the son of the author read excerpts from the books during a special about the series, and that sealed my decision to buy the first book. The descriptions of Cornwall were exquisite, to say the least.
Anyway, I have been trying out a few new shows, and I have hopes for a couple of them. Time will tell. Right now, Designated Survivor is high on my list.
As for movies, if you haven’t seen Sully, do so. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Tom Hanks does an amazing job as Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger. The movie isn’t nearly as much about the landing in the Hudson as it is the aftermath, and the story is so brilliantly presented that it doesn’t matter that we all saw so much of what happened on the news. And believe me, I completely forgot I was a novelist during the movie.
I guess that is ultimately what I want from all entertainment. Grab me by the throat or the heart and carry me away with the story. Be so good that I then want to/need to/must return again and study all the reasons why I was carried away.
What show or movie has carried you away recently?
~robin
Robin Lee Hatcher
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I am obsessed with Poldark! I loved the first season, and the second season is off to a great start. You are 100% that Aidan Turner is reason enough to watch (wow!), but the story is wonderful as well. Like you, I watch TV to analyze for plot, characterization, conflict … ideas. I hope there will be some good ones on this fall.
Yes, the two hour launch of Season 2 was great. I was worried about Francis (or is it Frances for a guy?). Anyway, I was worried. Did you know that the actress who plays Demelza was brought in to play Elizabeth but she asked to try out for Demelza and got the role. I just can’t see her as any other character. I LOVE her.
OK – I just added Poldark to my Amazon Prime video collection. Thanks for the recommendation, Robin. I’ve been on the fence about Sulley, too, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about it, so I’ll add that one to the queue as well.
Always on the lookout for good shows. Got keep filling that creativity well whether I’m aware of doing so or not. 🙂
Oh, yes, Karen. I can’t imagine that any historical writer wouldn’t love this series. You must give it a chance.
Oooh, I LOVE Poldark! When is it to come back on? Please tell me I haven’t missed it!
I haven’t been watching much lately. I mostly am so obsessed with my books that I’m reading (and finding any other books an author has written) that I don’t really miss watching tv. There are times I could read faster, but then I’d want more of the stories and unfortunately I’d finish the books faster. It’s sort of a catch 22. The faster you read, the sooner you’re finished, but then you’re done with the book and yet you want those characters to still be around (like friends)! UGH!!
The perils of being obsessed with books!
Poldark’s two hour premiere was last Sunday. You might be able to catch it on the PBS website.
I read all the POLDARK novels by Winston Graham, back in the 70s. Fabulous series! I did watch the first TV production which was also in the 70s, I believe, and it was very good. Robin Ellis was the actor, I believe, who played the lead role.
To be honest, I’d rather read the books again than watch any more on TV. You get more depth and information from the books, I find. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. LOL!
Almost always the books are better because they are longer. If most novels are 8 to 12 hours of audio, that tells you how much must be cut to make a two hour movie. You just have to lose a lot.
Love Poldark! Love Designated Survivor! I’ve been watching Too Close To Home because it’s very Southern but not sure I can stick with that one.
So many good news shows my TiVo is seriously overloaded.
Lenora, the DVR is such a great invention. I no longer worry about if I need to stay in (or stay up if I’m tired). I just let my DVR record it and I can watch later. And the newer DVRs hold SO many shows it is dangerous. LOL! If only there were more shows I loved. But I guess I wouldn’t get any work done then.
We just watched Miracles From Heaven last night. Based on a true story, it’s pretty incredible and faith-building. Just be sure to have a box of Kleenex handy!
I always love your recommendations, Robin. Poldark is one we haven’t seen yet. Guess I’d better add it to our list!
The good old BBC rarely fails to deliver on these great shows. Poldark is so good. You’ll love it.
I haven’t watched any Poldark yet.I did get a Freebee episode with my Downton Abbey season purchase.I will have to get it out and watch it.I am a big HGTV fan.Property bros,Fixer Upper and House Hunters. I do a lot of armchair traveling that way.I also read a lot of books.I have read several of your books Robin and love them.
Thanks for reading, Diana! Armchair traveling can sure be fun!
I love the Poldark show but haven’t read the books either. Another new show this season that I’m hopeful about is “This is Us” (on NBC I think…can’t recall for sure right now).
Yes, I am hopeful for that one too. I think it has real potential to be good.
I watched “Poldark” last year when the series first aired and loved it! Just before the second season started, I decided I wanted to watch season one again. I’m enjoying it the second time just as much as I did the first time. Can’t wait to start season two!
I watched Season 1 again during my treadmill time in late August and early September. You are right. It was just as good the second time around.
I have not watches Poldark, I will have to look for that. I like most of the shows that Hallmark has. My favorite is Signed, Sealed, and Delivered. I also enjoy many of the programs on HGTV.. But I spend much more time reading than TV watching.
I never complain about readers who want to read. 😉
The ONLY show I have watched recently is Poldark (I’m still watching season 1 on Amazon Prime). My husband showed me the preview of Sully, we’d like to see it but the nearest theater is over an hour away and the kids, cost of tickets, meh. We’ll do what we always do and wait for it to come out on Netflix or Amazon, LOL!
Although we have a theater close and we can go on $5 Tuesdays, Jerry and I often wait for movies to at least come out on DVD. So I totally understand. But I do love that buttered popcorn that is so very bad for me.