Striking Out [RTÉ1]

Exclamation Marc

I find that a whole lot of nothing goes on and the overarching story proceeds with the pace of coastal erosion.

This weeks 'case' for example had the crazy ex wife wanting money and to destroy her ex which ended up being resolved offscreen on the basis of 'ah sure, the son had a word with me' and then no explanation of the agreement as it was a secret but everyone was suddenly happy families. Its all in a manner displaying that the writers clearly had no idea how to see stories through.

I like Amy Huberman, Neil Morrissey and Rory Keenan but the story lines seem so muddled, complicated and aimless that there's not a lot to work with most of the time.

I still watch it in the hope it improves though.

ignorance is strength

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I don't think he can pull off the mustache!



https://www.independent.ie/style/celebrity/celebrity-news/former-bond-girl-gemma-arterton-goes-public-with-new-boyfriend-and-hes-an-rte-star-36580874.html

Depends what look he’s going for.

joeysoap

I enjoy striking out,even though I know it’s poor. Poor storylines and a happy ending every week.

Meg is a direct lift (poor imitation) from the Good wife (Kalinda)

As regards RTÉ drama, I thought Love/Hate was terrific, as was Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope.

AndrewJRenko

ignorance is strength wrote: »

Depends what look he’s going for.

The 'Marty Whelan is my Daddy' look?

ignorance is strength

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

The 'Marty Whelan is my Daddy' look?

Yeah, exactly, and if that’s the case I’m sure he’s very pleased with how it’s turned out.

brian_t

darkdubh wrote: »

They nearly always have a token English character in RTE dramas, probably to try and sell it to a potential UK audience.

Series one starts on My5 this week - Thursday at 9pm.

BuilderPlumber

joeysoap wrote: »

I enjoy striking out,even though I know it’s poor. Poor storylines and a happy ending every week.

Meg is a direct lift (poor imitation) from the Good wife (Kalinda)

As regards RTÉ drama, I thought Love/Hate was terrific, as was Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope.

I watched Striking Out last year. It is poor but I would take it above what they will have from next week. That is a series of Room to Improve and then a series of Dragon's Den. Of those 2, I'd take RTI before DD and SO before any of them.

This year, I was catching up on DVDs and therefore did not get around to watching SO. Love/Hate was excellent and I would like to see RTE do another similar drama like it. I think RTE should hire someone like Stuart Carolan or Roddy Doyle to write a drama and let them have full control over its production. Stuart could do a new Love/Hate or a Love/Hate spinoff or a similar drama and Roddy could do something new along the lines of Family or a Barrystown next generation series.

political analyst

BoroMan32 wrote: »

Indeed, this 'Inquiry' that rumbles along without anyone knowing wtf it's all about.

Horrible acting, boring storylines, sterile characters.....

As bad as it gets.

It's about corruption in the awarding of a contract for the construction of "Leinster General Hospital".

freshpopcorn

What meat/fish are they eating?

ednwireland

freshpopcorn wrote: »

What meat/fish are they eating?

spam

freshpopcorn

So, what do ye think of the ending!

Muahahaha

Well that was all a bit sh1te

Gen.Zhukov

freshpopcorn wrote: »

So, what do ye think of the ending!

Well, I think it means 'we actually can write some good material, but you will have to sit through 5.5 episodes of meh in series 3, before we get to it'.

freshpopcorn

It should just end with Eric and Tara leaving their jobs and daddies and going for a walk down the beach!

brooke 2

UrbanFox wrote: »

Silk starring Maxine Peake was a splendid exemplar of a legal drama.
As the central character, Maxine Peake's performance was excellent.

Really loved Silk. It was brilliant.

I looked at the second and third parts to see if the finale would live up to the hype of the ads. What on earth was that about? :rolleyes: This program is beyond sh1te.

Are we meant to believe that newspaper leaks would happen in the middle of a courtroom and that Pike (Neil Morrissey) wouldn't be well drilled on this beforehand? newspapers normally go to print the night before and many of the media outlets have the full scoop. BTW, Morrissey is woeful hammy. His insistence on calling yer man 'Bookworm' is particularly grating and cringeworthy

And the reaction to these leaks was so indifferent it was astounding.


But still.....loads upon loads of shots of Dublin City from every angle and every camera lense possible. :rolleyes:


The only convincing character in this has been Dunbar senior who is very convincing as a machiavellian character but i sense his range of character is relatively limited as an actor overall.

I hope someone in Montrose sees sense, puts their adulation for Amy and Brian to one side, and bins this hogwash. If they use this shít on an advert to try justify the licence fee then they deserve a hammering

joeysoap

joeysoap wrote: »

I enjoy striking out,even though I know it’s poor. Poor storylines and a happy ending every week.

Meg is a direct lift (poor imitation) from the Good wife (Kalinda)

As regards RTÉ drama, I thought Love/Hate was terrific, as was Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope.

The two actresses in Cant Cope Wont Cope were terrific, especially Seana Kerslake. Actually Amy Huberman was good in this too.

The program itself while not the worst i've ever seen by any means perhaps lacked structure in parts but is very relatable.

Far more deserving of a second season than that sh1te tonight though.

Muahahaha

Plus the story lines were very unrealistic. Like Meg the super spy is working for Tara in series one then switches sides to Dunbar and then back to Tara again. Dunbar Jnr is ready to give evidence against his own father in order to help his ex girlfriend, throwing away his whole career and eventual ownership of a law firm in the process. The widow the Pike recruited for the tribunal is willing to put her late husbands redundancy & pension on the line and break legal privledge by testifying, all for no clear benefit to herself except to help Pike investigate the corruption into the awarding of the contract for the Leinster General Hospital. Then Pikes cocaine use is leaked to the media during the course of his questioning at the Tribunal of Dunbar Snr and yer man just goes "I think we are done here" and walks out

Like come on, this thing has more holes in it than a fishermans net

Turfcutter

So we're supposed to accept that because the story broke about Pike in the papers (printed midday), yer man Dunbar senior is suddenly off the hook for the questions he couldn't answer.

Also, every senior member of the legal scene here speaks with an aristocratic English accent.

BoroMan32

Turfcutter wrote: »

So we're supposed to accept that because the story broke about Pike in the papers (printed midday), yer man Dunbar senior is suddenly off the hook for the questions he couldn't answer.

Also, every senior member of the legal scene here speaks with an aristocratic English accent.

That was laughable alright; and everyone at the inquiry had their phones going off at exactly the same time with the story.

A suitably woeful end to some chronic television.

Bredabe

A clear set up for series 3 I feel,
We don't know what was said between Eric and Tara in the pre-trib meeting, the look between them at the end makes me think it's not all it seems.

c68zapdsm5i1ru

Please tell me there won't be a series 3. I gave up watching this one a few episodes ago. Surely a bit of decent drama on Wintry Sunday nights isn't too much to ask for?

BuilderPlumber

Jordy Mushy Sordidness wrote: »

Please tell me there won't be a series 3. I gave up watching this one a few episodes ago. Surely a bit of decent drama on Wintry Sunday nights isn't too much to ask for?

It is apparently. RTE are going to finish off this TV year with 2 past their sell by dates reality shows. Room To Improve will be shown between February and the end of March with the worse Dragon's Den on for April into mid May. Not a fan of Striking Out but I'd take it before all this reality stuff. It is obvious these things are made on a shoestring and require not much effort.

I said it before and will say it again about RTE dramas of late. They have become increasingly tame and restrained, inoffensive and not compelling. If Striking Out, Clean Break, The Young Offenders and Rebellion were made 5 years ago, they'd be far more gritty and compelling. Instead, all these (which all could have good potential if made properly) are just tame and do not satisfy the diehard Love/Hate fans like myself.

Love/Hate was unafraid to show the world it depicted in full. And I am not only talking about the violence and betrayals of the gang. They showed all players including the cops as imperfect.

Tigger99

So disappointed with the finale. Jesus why did I watch this at all?

BuilderPlumber

Deleted User wrote: »

The only convincing character in this has been Dunbar senior who is very convincing as a machiavellian character but i sense his range of character is relatively limited as an actor overall.

I hope someone in Montrose sees sense, puts their adulation for Amy and Brian to one side, and bins this hogwash. If they use this shít on an advert to try justify the licence fee then they deserve a hammering

I agree with this. As said before about other things, the media have become so detached from the people. They want to force the same people on us over and over. Striking Out is a handy little drama for Amy who is one of the in people for RTE. It is cheap to make, inoffensive and harmless. While it is watchable, it is not something one would view when you have something else.

RTE have listened to the minority who complained about good dramas like Family and Love/Hate being too violent. This lead to all the poor and half baked attempts. When RTE turn to a gangland theme now, it is either a comedic approach (The Young Offenders) or a toned down one (Clean Break). Now of course a drama does not have to be violent to be good. I recall the Amongst Women being a very good example of a well made classic drama from the late 1990s. It was not made by RTE of course but I don't see why RTE could not revive other classic books or plays.

AndrewJRenko

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

It is apparently. RTE are going to finish off this TV year with 2 past their sell by dates reality shows. Room To Improve will be shown between February and the end of March with the worse Dragon's Den on for April into mid May. Not a fan of Striking Out but I'd take it before all this reality stuff. It is obvious these things are made on a shoestring and require not much effort.

I said it before and will say it again about RTE dramas of late. They have become increasingly tame and restrained, inoffensive and not compelling. If Striking Out, Clean Break, The Young Offenders and Rebellion were made 5 years ago, they'd be far more gritty and compelling. Instead, all these (which all could have good potential if made properly) are just tame and do not satisfy the diehard Love/Hate fans like myself.

Love/Hate was unafraid to show the world it depicted in full. And I am not only talking about the violence and betrayals of the gang. They showed all players including the cops as imperfect.

I agree with most of what you say, but I don't think you can really describe Young Offenders as tame - anything but!

BuilderPlumber

Another thing I notice is that while there is an obvious policy of restraint on drama on RTE, The swearing, sexual innuendos and corner boy terminology used by Tubridy and some of his guests on Fridays is never restrained. Drama has suffered. If you were to look at the best dramas ever on RTE, I'd pick out Love/Hate, Family and Strumpet City. Each knew what it was and dealt with the topic in a proper manner. All came from good writers. Amongst Women was also a good Irish drama from a good writer. Sadly, these 4 great dramas were one offs and the likes of The Big Bow Wow, Striking Out and Trouble in Paradise were more common. I think others like Amber and Charlie were decent too and underrated. 2 dramas that could have been great but weren't were Rebellion and Clean Break. The restraint killed both and it is a pity as there was potential in both to be very good.

gmisk

Fairly meh last episode...and series in general.
It's really trying to be the good wife...but it is not the good wife! It is well shot I will say but the acting is really uneven...I don't think I need another series.

branie2

I really enjoyed it

ignorance is strength

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

Sadly, these 4 ... were one offs.

Lol

fluke

Watched the finale but what a load of old sh1t. I kinda liked Amy's Da in it - Alan Rickmanesque

branie2

I hope there's a new series next year

freshpopcorn

branie2 wrote: »

I hope there's a new series next year

I didn't hate it compared to lots of people here. I hope tough they wrap up the current story fairly fast and don't leave it go on!

BuilderPlumber

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

I agree with this. As said before about other things, the media have become so detached from the people. They want to force the same people on us over and over. Striking Out is a handy little drama for Amy who is one of the in people for RTE. It is cheap to make, inoffensive and harmless. While it is watchable, it is not something one would view when you have something else.

RTE have listened to the minority who complained about good dramas like Family and Love/Hate being too violent. This lead to all the poor and half baked attempts. When RTE turn to a gangland theme now, it is either a comedic approach (The Young Offenders) or a toned down one (Clean Break). Now of course a drama does not have to be violent to be good. I recall the Amongst Women being a very good example of a well made classic drama from the late 1990s. It was not made by RTE of course but I don't see why RTE could not revive other classic books or plays.

The BAI are a huge factor in the increasing dilution of TV too. Seem to be a very heavy handed organisation rightly or wrongly

BuilderPlumber

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

Another thing I notice is that while there is an obvious policy of restraint on drama on RTE, The swearing, sexual innuendos and corner boy terminology used by Tubridy and some of his guests on Fridays is never restrained. Drama has suffered. If you were to look at the best dramas ever on RTE, I'd pick out Love/Hate, Family and Strumpet City. Each knew what it was and dealt with the topic in a proper manner. All came from good writers. Amongst Women was also a good Irish drama from a good writer. Sadly, these 4 great dramas were one offs and the likes of The Big Bow Wow, Striking Out and Trouble in Paradise were more common. I think others like Amber and Charlie were decent too and underrated. 2 dramas that could have been great but weren't were Rebellion and Clean Break. The restraint killed both and it is a pity as there was potential in both to be very good.

Adam and Paul and Pure Mule were decent shows too I think. I remember 'Amongst Women'. Also very good.

Trouble in Paradise is a show i had suppressed to the back of my memory such was its atrociousness. If i recall, it featured Angeline Ball and Lorcan Cranitch?

BuilderPlumber

Deleted User wrote: »

Adam and Paul and Pure Mule were decent shows too I think. I remember 'Amongst Women'. Also very good.

Trouble in Paradise is a show i had suppressed to the back of my memory such was its atrociousness. If i recall, it featured Angeline Ball and Lorcan Cranitch?

Your description of Trouble in Paradise is spot on. It started out with an interesting idea and then basically went nowhere and was the typical poor fare expected at the time. Its only saving grace was it was slightly better than The Big Bow Wow.

BuilderPlumber

Deleted User wrote: »

The BAI are a huge factor in the increasing dilution of TV too. Seem to be a very heavy handed organisation rightly or wrongly

There's something at play for sure. As long as RTE listen to those who criticise violence, etc. in drama, the same old tame rubbish will be made. Imagine in other countries if the makers of classic franchises such as Indiana Jones, Batman, Mad Max, Blade Runner, Dirty Harry, James Bond, etc. listened to such people. Ireland got it right when they made dramas like Love/Hate and RTE should stick with making drama unafraid to show its subject matter properly.

BuilderPlumber

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

Your description of Trouble in Paradise is spot on. It started out with an interesting idea and then basically went nowhere and was the typical poor fare expected at the time. Its only saving grace was it was slightly better than The Big Bow Wow.

Christ the Big Bow Wow must have been terrible stuff altogether because Trouble in Paradise was a mess. Ironic thing is that Trouble in Paradise had Lorcan Cranitch, Angeline Ball and Tom Murphy who were all brilliant actors. Tom Murphy was fantastic in Pure Mule. A man who died far too young.

BuilderPlumber

Deleted User wrote: »

Christ the Big Bow Wow must have been terrible stuff altogether because Trouble in Paradise was a mess. Ironic thing is that Trouble in Paradise had Lorcan Cranitch, Angeline Ball and Tom Murphy who were all brilliant actors. Tom Murphy was fantastic in Pure Mule. A man who died far too young.

The Big Bow Wow is really as bad as everyone says it is. Striking Out is excellent in direct comparison. The 3 actors in Trouble In Paradise are excellent and perhaps they made it a bit better than the Bow Wow which had no quality actors in it at all. Eoghan Harris. yes THE Eoghan Harris, was one of the geniuses who wrote the Bow Wow.

BuilderPlumber

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

The Big Bow Wow is really as bad as everyone says it is. Striking Out is excellent in direct comparison. The 3 actors in Trouble In Paradise are excellent and perhaps they made it a bit better than the Bow Wow which had no quality actors in it at all. Eoghan Harris. yes THE Eoghan Harris, was one of the geniuses who wrote the Bow Wow.

There is another problem, its all a clique at Montrose. Because of this, talented writers will never be sought apart from the odd fluke here and there.

gmisk

The RTE secret producer account on twitter highlights what a total basket case RTE is so no shock there!

darkdubh

Deleted User wrote: »

Christ the Big Bow Wow must have been terrible stuff altogether because Trouble in Paradise was a mess. Ironic thing is that Trouble in Paradise had Lorcan Cranitch, Angeline Ball and Tom Murphy who were all brilliant actors. Tom Murphy was fantastic in Pure Mule. A man who died far too young.

The Big Bow Wow was beyond bad. RTE actually pulled it halfway through in a rare example of insight into how bad this thing they'd put out actually was.

This is an entertaining thread.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=52715493

BuilderPlumber

Deleted User wrote: »

There is another problem, its all a clique at Montrose. Because of this, talented writers will never be sought apart from the odd fluke here and there.

That is precisely the problem. The likes of Harris would get to write a programme before an actual writer would. RTE's closed shop mentality is the reason why all those mediocre to awful dramas, boybands, modern country singers, etc. get the space talented people should be getting instead.

The concept of a lot of these dramas are actually good. Take The Big Bow Wow: a drama set in the near future in Dublin about a gang of rich professionals and students with problems including drugs. Could be excellent if written properly. Instead, it was a mess that had no identity.

Sadly, RTE continue to rely on a small set of handpicked cronies for most of its output in all forms of TV. You can bet many a good writer was turned down in favour of drivel like The Big Bow Wow.

c68zapdsm5i1ru

Well, according to the Sunday Times last weekend, there are no plans to make a third series of Striking Out.

Jordy Mushy Sordidness

Jordy Mushy Sordidness wrote: »

Well, according to the Sunday Times last weekend, there are no plans to make a third series of Striking Out.

I'm sure they'll find something again for talentless Amy, they always do unfortunately

Muahahaha

Talon Raspy Bather wrote: »

I'm sure they'll find something again for talentless Amy, they always do unfortunately

You certainly got that right
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/amy-hubermans-striking-out-looks-to-be-struck-off-with-no-plans-for-new-series-36956575.html

Legal drama Striking Out could be struck off RTE's schedule.

The future of the programme looks uncertain after the broadcaster said it has "no immediate plans" to commission a third series. The lack of commitment may surprise viewers, given that the final episode of season two ended with a cliff-hanging storyline.

The show followed the tumultuous professional and personal life of Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty and her fledgling legal firm. Actress Amy Huberman starred as Tara while Men Behaving Badly's Neil Morrissey took on the role of senior counsel Vincent Pike.

Earlier this year, Huberman said she had her "fingers crossed" that the show would return to TV screens. However, an RTE spokesperson said yesterday there were "no immediate plans to commission a third series of Striking Out".


"RTE is developing a number of new drama and comedy series for delivery over the coming two years," the spokesperson added.

Details of its upcoming commissioning plans will be announced in the coming weeks.

One of the forthcoming projects is Finding Joy, a six-part comedy written by and starring Huberman and produced by Treasure Films..

RTE rewards mediocrity, nothing new to see here :rolleyes:

Muahahaha

Muahahaha wrote: »

You certainly got that right
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/amy-hubermans-striking-out-looks-to-be-struck-off-with-no-plans-for-new-series-36956575.html


RTE rewards mediocrity, nothing new to see here :rolleyes:

another show cancelled for Princess Amy, will they stop giving her work ffs

Exclamation Marc

Irrespective of its quality it's a disgraceful production approach to continually shoot a series without resolving ANY of its major storylines within a season and banking on a renewal.

As I said to my other half, I don't think they had any idea how the major threads were to resolve or finish out and just wrote in these pointless episodic storylines to tide it over.