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altarielI watched the new Cracker last night, the first time I've seen it. I know, it's just one of those things I somehow missed. The story was right up my street. Connectedness of things. The futile and self-defeating nature of violence. It was beautifully made and observed. I was very moved by it - I've watched it a second time already. Anthony Flanagan put in a superb performance as the traumatized soldier.
But Fitz was a real disappointment. Not Coltrane, mind you - Fitz. All that he did to the most beloved Barbara Flynn! The extent to which the detective leading the case existed purely to be an antagonist to Fitz, someone next to whom Fitz could be proven right. And all of it framed to elicit a sympathetic, forgiving response from the viewer. It was as if you could hear the writer: "Forgive us the most egregious acts, for we have special gifts of insight and understanding." I wasn't surprised, watching a documentary about Cracker, to hear Jimmy McGovern say how much of him was in Fitz. As I say, I never watched the show when it was on. Did Fitz always stand for the author and intrude to this extent? I was really very cross about it last night, although when I woke up again this morning, I decided if I could manage compassion for the murderer I could probably stretch it even as far as the writer.
But Fitz was a real disappointment. Not Coltrane, mind you - Fitz. All that he did to the most beloved Barbara Flynn! The extent to which the detective leading the case existed purely to be an antagonist to Fitz, someone next to whom Fitz could be proven right. And all of it framed to elicit a sympathetic, forgiving response from the viewer. It was as if you could hear the writer: "Forgive us the most egregious acts, for we have special gifts of insight and understanding." I wasn't surprised, watching a documentary about Cracker, to hear Jimmy McGovern say how much of him was in Fitz. As I say, I never watched the show when it was on. Did Fitz always stand for the author and intrude to this extent? I was really very cross about it last night, although when I woke up again this morning, I decided if I could manage compassion for the murderer I could probably stretch it even as far as the writer.
