River: Episode 1
November 19, 2015 2:05 PM - Season 1, Episode 1 - Subscribe
Detective Inspector John River is haunted by visions of his recently murdered colleague, Detective Sergeant Jackie "Stevie" Stevenson. Starring Stellan Skarsgård and Nicola Walker.
He continues in his attempts to find her killer although excluded from the case on the grounds of his proximity to the events surrounding it. River is told that he must undergo psychiatric evaluation, and his commanding officer makes it clear that he expects him to fail it. Meanwhile, River pursues a potential suspect who falls to his death and he is subsequently placed under increasing pressure from the media. Simultaneously, he faces demands from the mother of a missing teenager to find her daughter’s body.
Here's a Guardian review and recap.
He continues in his attempts to find her killer although excluded from the case on the grounds of his proximity to the events surrounding it. River is told that he must undergo psychiatric evaluation, and his commanding officer makes it clear that he expects him to fail it. Meanwhile, River pursues a potential suspect who falls to his death and he is subsequently placed under increasing pressure from the media. Simultaneously, he faces demands from the mother of a missing teenager to find her daughter’s body.
Here's a Guardian review and recap.
Oh, I'm glad we got to this! I'm absolutely loving this show. infinitewindow the first episode is quite heavy, and it does benefit from the week's gap, but the subtlety and cleverness of its humour - through the darkness - is what's kept me watching. And what you don't mention is that Skarsgård's sidekick is the vastly underrated Adeel Akhtar. His rumpled, hangdog and warmly human Ira King is a brilliant foil to the austere and unpredictable River.
As to Nicola Walker, I feel that she's a bit underused - it might have something to do with her lead role in ITV's Unforgotten (and that show is as near a perfect blend of Brit and Scandi crime drama as you could ever wish for). However, the interplay between Stevie and River is wonderful, and it's a clever contrast to Ira and River that gives everything marvellous depth.
But Skarsgård. Oh. My. Gosh. The Graun says that he's in the form of his life, and I can't help but agree. The expressiveness of his face and the bone-weary set of his body tell you volumes about the character that words simply cannot. I fell inescapably in love with this show when River reluctantly goes to Stevie's house to feed her cat. The stillness of his body, looking at the detritus of her life left in the kitchen, followed by the spooked and skittish shuffle away from the hungry cat's yowl... just perfect. It's an economy of the actor's craft that seems very rare even in this Golden Age - Kirsten Dunst in Fargo S02 is probably the nearest to it.
posted by prismatic7 at 7:21 PM on November 19, 2015 [2 favorites]
As to Nicola Walker, I feel that she's a bit underused - it might have something to do with her lead role in ITV's Unforgotten (and that show is as near a perfect blend of Brit and Scandi crime drama as you could ever wish for). However, the interplay between Stevie and River is wonderful, and it's a clever contrast to Ira and River that gives everything marvellous depth.
But Skarsgård. Oh. My. Gosh. The Graun says that he's in the form of his life, and I can't help but agree. The expressiveness of his face and the bone-weary set of his body tell you volumes about the character that words simply cannot. I fell inescapably in love with this show when River reluctantly goes to Stevie's house to feed her cat. The stillness of his body, looking at the detritus of her life left in the kitchen, followed by the spooked and skittish shuffle away from the hungry cat's yowl... just perfect. It's an economy of the actor's craft that seems very rare even in this Golden Age - Kirsten Dunst in Fargo S02 is probably the nearest to it.
posted by prismatic7 at 7:21 PM on November 19, 2015 [2 favorites]
My favorite funny moment was his genuinely puzzled "Why would I do that?" in response to Ira's suggestion that he put all his music on his phone.
posted by Mogur at 4:17 PM on November 22, 2015
posted by Mogur at 4:17 PM on November 22, 2015
Honestly, how do you binge-watchers do it? I mean, I did it for work for several years, but watching more than one hour of well-written, Golden Age television at a time fuckin wears me out.
I watched the last three episodes yesterday (and the first three a week or so ago). There's only so many hours a day I can watch TV of any type, but I don't find shows like River to be heavy going or demanding of all that much attention. They are enjoyable but not super intellectual or emotionally difficult. There is a lot of formula involved, though the high quality production, acting, and writing help minimize that.
And unlike some shows where each episode more stands alone, though within a larger arc, River is one of those shows that is almost like a long movie with six chapters, which for me really rewards watching them together.
As to Nicola Walker, I feel that she's a bit underused
I totally agree. I spent the whole first episode wanting more of her. She is so good!
posted by Dip Flash at 7:28 PM on November 26, 2015
I watched the last three episodes yesterday (and the first three a week or so ago). There's only so many hours a day I can watch TV of any type, but I don't find shows like River to be heavy going or demanding of all that much attention. They are enjoyable but not super intellectual or emotionally difficult. There is a lot of formula involved, though the high quality production, acting, and writing help minimize that.
And unlike some shows where each episode more stands alone, though within a larger arc, River is one of those shows that is almost like a long movie with six chapters, which for me really rewards watching them together.
As to Nicola Walker, I feel that she's a bit underused
I totally agree. I spent the whole first episode wanting more of her. She is so good!
posted by Dip Flash at 7:28 PM on November 26, 2015
There is a lot of formula involved, though the high quality production, acting, and writing help minimize that.
That's why I feel like I have to really pay attention to it to a degree that is frankly exhausting. There is a formula that is being used, and then it is subverted through really excellent performances, direction and production value.
posted by infinitewindow at 12:25 AM on November 27, 2015
That's why I feel like I have to really pay attention to it to a degree that is frankly exhausting. There is a formula that is being used, and then it is subverted through really excellent performances, direction and production value.
posted by infinitewindow at 12:25 AM on November 27, 2015
Honestly, how do you binge-watchers do it?
We've honestly had to limit ourselves to no more than 2 episodes of whatever per evening, for similar reasons. Though admittedly we broke that rule last night by watching the last half (4 eps) of Broadchurch S2 in one shot.
posted by aught at 7:14 AM on December 3, 2015
We've honestly had to limit ourselves to no more than 2 episodes of whatever per evening, for similar reasons. Though admittedly we broke that rule last night by watching the last half (4 eps) of Broadchurch S2 in one shot.
posted by aught at 7:14 AM on December 3, 2015
This show, which I knew nothing about except that I like both leads, was recommended to me after I finished JJ. The beginning was dragging some, though lovely singing by Nicola Walker and then at the 10 minute mark, BAM.
Funny how your mind can immediately comprehend the situation with just a brief shot, even on a small laptop screen.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:36 AM on December 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Funny how your mind can immediately comprehend the situation with just a brief shot, even on a small laptop screen.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:36 AM on December 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
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Honestly, how do you binge-watchers do it? I mean, I did it for work for several years, but watching more than one hour of well-written, Golden Age television at a time fuckin wears me out.
posted by infinitewindow at 4:56 PM on November 19, 2015 [2 favorites]