A very nicely done article. For me, Life was a disappointment. I was on the verge of dropping it so many times. I found there were all these wonderful characters and actors, with some wonderful moments, but the story didn’t deliver. I am aware I have looked at this show through a different lens to most people because I have been in the middle of many of the situations portrayed in the story. Yes, I know it’s a drama, but it was so up and down for me (maybe that was the point?). Then there was the ending. Keep on writing more articles.
At the end of ep 32. Well, I have said it before - take the brothers out of this show and it’s not a bad all round story! I will hang on for a bit longer...
What’s not to like! The first four episodes have played out so well. One of the best pairings are back together and just eat up the screen, especially when the screen stops to embrace their encounters. Who knew that shoes would be the catalyst for all that happens. As Paolo Nutini sings:
Hey, I put some new shoes on And suddenly everything is right I said, hey I put some new shoes on And everybody's smiling, it's so inviting Oh short on money but long on time Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine And I'm running late and I don't need an excuse Cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes
Episode 10 was like watching the show swirl in a vortex and go down the plug hole. They didn’t need meander down the path they have - this is a couple that deserves so much better. There were a few good moments, but they were lost in the sea of flashbacks and weak, pointless, writing. I can’t fault the acting though. Let’s hope episode 11 doesn’t wallow too much and FW gets off life support and back on its feet to an engaging story.
I enjoyed the first two episodes. It’s quite pleasant and I even laughed a few times. We have our favourite dad in place and I think the leads are doing quite well.
For a show that I really enjoyed, I found the final two episodes a bit of a disappointment (parts of it were nonsensical - I didn’t like the way the security chief handled things, I thought the resolution with the brother was a forced outcome, other things were left unanswered, her friend still wimpish and other characters sort of disappeared). However, I liked how the security couple ended up and the final hug scene at the end was well done - she really does have a great smile and joyful expression.
So far I've counted 5 of Christie's murder mysteries acted out, with a clever little reference to Bertram's Hotel…
It’s interesting that Kenneth Branagh and John Malkovich are on the Poirot remake train. Branagh after Murder on the Orient Express is now filming Death on the Nile and Malkovich the ABC Murders. It’s hard to beat David Suchet as our favourite Belgian detective. The same re Branagh as Wallander.
On the Miss Marple front though, I have found over the years the different actresses to play her didn’t quite hit the mark. Almost, but not quite. So, it was refreshing and delightful to see the Korean flavour with Ms Ma.
I remember the days of growing up and avidly reading Agatha Christie and often buying the next book along to help me get through various flights here and there. I enjoyed each time working out who the culprit(s) was and I thought Poirot’s and Hastings relationship was wonderful. She is to this day still one of my all time favourite authors. She also had a great sense of humour when it came to herself: “An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her.”
Well, that’s the end of Ms Ma for now. What a delight! The creatives for Ms Ma are clearly fans of AC and I do get the feeling there will be more seasons.
Ep 8 - talk about holding your breath through the whole episode! Just when you think this show is going to hit the noble trope iceberg, it takes evasive action. Magical!
I thought it started off well with an interesting story to tell. The performances overall were solid with our two leads the stand outs that they are. Our favourite Mama Fairy also had a good role. However, I didn’t think our young king was convincing. I also thought the story in the second half lost its gloss. Still, it’s worth a look: 7.5/10.
2 
5 
Hey, I put some new shoes on
And suddenly everything is right
I said, hey I put some new shoes on
And everybody's smiling, it's so inviting
Oh short on money but long on time
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine
And I'm running late and I don't need an excuse
Cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes
On the Miss Marple front though, I have found over the years the different actresses to play her didn’t quite hit the mark. Almost, but not quite. So, it was refreshing and delightful to see the Korean flavour with Ms Ma.
I remember the days of growing up and avidly reading Agatha Christie and often buying the next book along to help me get through various flights here and there. I enjoyed each time working out who the culprit(s) was and I thought Poirot’s and Hastings relationship was wonderful. She is to this day still one of my all time favourite authors. She also had a great sense of humour when it came to herself: “An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her.”