Utopia (Channel 4) [** Spoilers **]

Daffodil.d

Channel 4 are doing a 6 part series called utopia. Looks like it's goin to be good. Does anyone have any idea whew it will start. I looked it up but couldn't find out

Mr E

Utopia is on Channel 4 on Tuesdays at 10pm from 15th January.

Daffodil.d

Mr E wrote: »

Utopia is on Channel 4 on Tuesdays at 10pm from 15th January.

Thanks for that. Something to look forward to go January.

brian_t

A somewhat minimalist trailer for it

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/utopia/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1

mike65

Really starting to like the look of this, the cast is worth the price of admission (ie your time) Directed by Marc Munden who did Crimson Petal and the White on BBC2 which was quite impressive.

http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/casting-announced-on-new-c4-drama-series-utopia

Basq

Definitely the show to watch this month..

.. hard to ignore since Channel 4 were advertising the hell out of it over Christmas!

Basq

Entertaining, but very much a case of style over substance so far!

Kinda reminiscent of if Irvine Welsh made a TV show..

Basq

TV shows need more Michael Smiley!

readyletsgo

I like it so far

Basq

Yeah, that

torture scene

was tough to watch...

.. was entertained throughout though, and will gladly watch more.

ollie1

Really enjoyed that

saintsaltynuts

Yeah thought it was quite good for an introduction.Going to watch it next week for sure.

Basq

Shopping list for tomorrow:

- chilli's
- sand
- bleach
- spoon

Just doing some cooking / cleaning etc

Daffodil.d

saintsaltynuts wrote: »

Yeah thought it was quite good for an introduction.Going to watch it next week for sure.

Yes it has caught my interest now. Will definitely watch again next week. I also think the CT crowd would enjoy it.

Daffodil.d

Basq wrote: »

Shopping list for tomorrow:

- chilli's
- sand
- bleach
- spoon

Just doing some cooking / cleaning etc

I actually couldn't look.

Daroxtar

Enjoyed that. Nice one ch4

Duggy747

Interesting enough, will keep with it.

So many dolly shots, felt like you were driving by every scene :pac:

2ndcoming

I was a little bit underwhelmed by this. The premise and style would usually be right up my street, but it just felt a little cold. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters really. I'll watch the rest no doubt, but I hope we're given a character or characters to engage with. The ultraviolence route only really works when we've got genuinely good, likeable characters to give balance, a la Drive. At least that's my opinion.

ejmaztec

Basq wrote: »

Shopping list for tomorrow:

- chilli's
- sand
- bleach
- spoon

Just doing some cooking / cleaning etc

You'll save some money if you've got an eye for a bargain.:P

jrby

does anyone know if it is being repeated?

Basq

jrby wrote: »

does anyone know if it is being repeated?

Doesn't appear to be funnily enough.. there's always 4OD.

brian_t

jrby wrote: »

does anyone know if it is being repeated?

It's on 4seven tonight at 10.00pm

I enjoyed it too. Definitely intend watching the rest of the series.

Basq

brian_t wrote: »

It's on 4seven tonight at 10.00pm

Saw that.. but can we get 4seven here?

.. a-ha!

brian_t

Basq wrote: »

Saw that.. but can we get 4seven here?

.. a-ha!

For anyone (like me) using a Sky box but without a card, all the free channels automatically appear in the EPG.

Sarn

Enjoyable, I'd agree with the sentiment that it was mostly style over substance to start with. I'll definitely be watching the next one.

TheStook

Just watched first episode there, and I have to say I'm impressed..

Arby and Lee look like the slickest bad guys I've ever seen, and that torture scene was amazingly well done, despite the fact I could barely see through my fingers haha..

With a bit of Character development this show could be a great

AnonoBoy

Quite liked it.

As well as being about a graphic novel it reminded me of one in the way it was structured and especially because of the two bad guys. They put me in mind of a 2000AD type story for some reason.

Only thing I didn't like was the Kubrick-esque title used at the ad breaks. That style is used too often in things these days I think.

Basq

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Only thing I didn't like was the Kubrick-esque title used at the ad breaks. That style is used too often in things these days I think.

Yep, agreed. Oh, and hanging title cards annoy me also

While I'm a fan, Wes Anderson has been doing it for years:

Skid

That was rather good

I had to fast forward through the torture scene, the description was enough for me.

Also, the cliffhanger where Jessica Hyde (apparently) turned up seemed like an anti-climax. The 'where is Jessica Hyde?' theme was going great, then she turned up and just seemed too dull and ordinary. I would have preferred if there had been a more unexpected reveal in the next episode

Still, I am definitely coming back for the next episode.

johnpatrick81

I loved everything about it, fantastic stuff. Can't wait for episode 2.

mike65

Finally got round to watching part one, whats all the fuss about the already notorious eye scene? Seen far worse in King Lear! The only thing wrong with Utopia was the number of flipping ad breaks otherwise its excellent with a vibrant, pin sharp look to the proceedings which I thought was pretty much out of fashion (every drama on British telly these days seems to be shot through a thin layer of milky gauze).

robjones1981

Anyone want to give a quick run down on what this is about and what they think of it?

iguana

I mainly agree with 2ndcomings assessment so far. I actually felt more connection to the guys in the comic book store at the start than I did to any of the main characters. But I am interested enough to keep watching, even though when it comes to eye torture scenes, give me a closing door any day.

stevenmu

robjones1981 wrote: »

Anyone want to give a quick run down on what this is about and what they think of it?

A group of fans of an obscure graphic novel, written by a patient in a mental institution, meet through an online forum. They stumble onto a conspiracy, one that others are willing to kill to protect. They must scramble to unravel the conspiracy before their lives are destroyed.

It seems like a pretty unique show, the best way to describe it so far is Stanley Kubrick meets Rubicon. It's probably too early to say if it's really good or not, depending on how the next few episodes go it will either be an amazing show or an utter pile of rubbish. But it's worth a watch once at least purely based on how different and unique it is.

cml387

Saw it in 4OD tonight.

Nice paranoid conspiracy drama with an ace soundtrack btw.

Torturer Lee bears a passing resemblance to Neil Tennant.

TheStook

When's the second episode out? I thought it was yesterday

Will I Amnt

TheStook wrote: »

When's the second episode out? I thought it was yesterday

Tuesday nights 22:00.

TheStook

cambo2008 wrote: »

Tuesday nights 22:00.

Ah my mistake, cheers

ollie1

Enjoyed that second episode. The little boy is a great actor

mike65

Top stuff!

Daroxtar

Any Idea how many episodes this is planned for? Is it a mini series or will it go on for a while? I'm very impressed so far but I think I'd prefer if it had a finite run, maybe 6-8 episodes max, tell the whole story nice and tidy. It has the feel of a good mini series, a long run could dilute it too much

Will I Amnt

Bit of a ropey start to that episode, thought the Jessica charachter was a bit meh for a while but turned it around fairly quickly.
Really liking it and looking forward to the next one. The soundtrack is right up my street too.

Will I Amnt

Daroxtar wrote: »

Any Idea how many episodes this is planned for? Is it a mini series or will it go on for a while? I'm very impressed so far but I think I'd prefer if it had a finite run, maybe 6-8 episodes max, tell the whole story nice and tidy. It has the feel of a good mini series, a long run could dilute it too much

There's 6 as far as I know.

Daroxtar

Ya, I think I heard that, just remembered after I posted.

Just Like Heaven

Enjoyed it last night as well. Wouldn't be surprised if there's a second season though.

mike65

There might be a second series.

Sarn

Very enjoyable. There's a good sense of hoplessness and tension. It almost feels post-apocalyptic, like they're the only people in the world. The camera work is lovely, even the focusing on peoples breathing is a nice little touch.

Madam

I didn't think I would but I'm loving this programme - very surreal in bits, hopefully it will keep it's momentum and it won't begin to drag half way through.

Tristram

Really enjoyed the first two episodes. Didn't know anything about beforehand so had no expectations. Was pretty blown away by the production quality and the atmosphere. I agree with another poster who mentioned that at times it feels like a graphic novel. I hope they can keep hitting the same notes til the end of the season!

ibarelycare

Absolutely loving this show, top quality production and acting IMO. I'm loving the colours used, the blue and yellow/orange contrast that features in most scenes is really intriguing as well as the block colours of green/purple that are seen in some other shots.

Really gripping stuff, looking forward to the next episode!

Basq

Just watched the second last night..

.. excellent stuff!

C4 continue to impress with drama.. ITV could learn something from them (and don't talk to me about f*cking "Downton").