We watched the second season of Derek this weekend. Only six episodes, which we divided over two nights. Sad to see Dougie go in the first episode, but apparently the actor was terribly uncomfortable acting with other people, which explains why so many of his scenes in the first series were “diary” scenes, where he was talking to the imaginary documentary filmmakers.
The show doesn’t break a lot of new ground in the second season, but the stuff about the old folks keeping track of Hannah’s efforts to get pregnant are pretty hilarious, and Kev has his usual mix of godawful sexist / sexual obsession and occasional bursts of humanity. A nice arc with Derek and his dad, and it was good to see Hannah confront the new guy at the end and maybe get through a little. It’s a very sentimental show with a good heart. Tugs at the heartstrings.
We saw Non-Stop, too, the thriller featuring Liam Neeson that will probably never be available as an inflight film. It was decent and effective (except for the little bit of fortuitous levitation at the end). It’s sort of an Agatha Christie whodunit, too. Everyone is a potential suspect, including Neeson’s extremely and credibly flawed character. I was sure it was this person and then sure it was that person, and then someone else. Free-flowing suspicion. The actual resolution was, perhaps, a little less rewarding than many of my suspicions, but still, we enjoyed it.
Down to one more episode of Orphan Black. I don’t think I could explain to anyone else everything that has happened this season, that’s how convoluted it is. It was good to see Allison’s husband grow a pair and step up, especially after she out-jackhammered him in the basement. Still enjoying it, have no idea how it’s going to wrap up and basically I’m just along for the ride.
