TV Series Review: The No. 1 Ladies' Dectective Agency

Based on the popular novel of the same name, this series was co-produced by the BBC and HBO and is currently running on HBO in the States.

If you have read the book, you can jump right into the middle of this series. If you haven't, well, then you might be a bit confused at first. Or wait until HBO recycles the series from the beginning.

Filmed on location in Botswana, the series centers on Mma Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott). (Note: Mma, pronounced "ma," is a term of respect, like "Ms." or "Mr.") After her father's death, Mma Ramotswe sold her father's cattle and moved to the city to open up the first (and only) Ladies' Dectective Agency. She solves cases not by brute force, but through observation and her own understanding of human nature.

Assisting her is Mma Grace Makutsi (Anika Noni Rose). As big and open and relaxed as Mma Ramotswe is, Mma Makutsi is skinny, uptight, and nervous. Even their hair is different: Mma Ramotswe's is a bushy "natural," while Mma Makutsi's is usually pulled tight and pinned to the top of her head. Still, Mma Makutsi was the top of her graduating class at the Botswana Secreterial College and is very efficient. She is also very loyal to Mma Ramotswe, who, in turn, mentors the younger woman.

Mma Ramotswe drives an old right-hand drive truck that needs frequent repairs at the shop of Mr. JLB Matekoni (Lucien Msamati). He is falling in love with Mma Ramotswe, but she has been hurt badly by her first husband and is reluctant to commit. She also has to prove herself as a dectective in a community that is still strongly paternalistic.

Each episode features at least one investigation that's resolved and the continuing storyline of Mma Ramotswe and crew. The series is filmed in Botswana, so there is lots of gorgeous scenery, and the dialogue is in English. What I especially enjoy is that the setting is treated as "every day" (which it is to the inhabitants), rather than as some exotic locale. For example, in one episode, Mma Ramotswe goes to the "market plaza," rather than the mall.

One of the subtexts of the books is how the traditional mores of the community are changing and the conflict this brings between the older residents and the younger. That doesn't seem to be as obvious in the series.

Currently, there are only seven episodes. Anthony Minghella was the director and co-adapter, so I'm not sure if the series will continue.

As a fan of the books, I'm enjoying this series. Hubs, who hasn't read them, will watch the series with me, but it's a bit too "quiet" for him. (No chase scenes, no gun battles or stand-offs.)


On the March Hare scale: 4 out 5 Golden Remotes

(crossposted at The Mad Tea Party)

What the Frack???

So last night was the cliffhanger episode of Battlestar Galactica. I thought that this was the last season, but, apparently, there is a new definition of "season." Because the resolution of this cliffhanger won't be aired until January 2009.

In the parlance of BG, what the frack???

If you haven't seen it, I won't spoil it, but I do have a general question.

Here, the child of Helo & Athena, is important because she is a hybrid--half human, half Cylon. But the Chief's (Galen's) son is also a hybrid, although no one realized that one of his parents is a Cylon--including that parent. Why isn't he as important as Hera?

Well, to help tide me over until January, SciFi Channel is bringing back Eureka! This series is about a quirky town of geniuses, hidden in Northern California (I think)--"Area 51 only wishes they had our security." The only non-genius is U.S. Marshall John Carter (an homage to Edgar Rice Burroughs Mars novels?), who is now the sheriff. He may not be a genius, but he has common sense.

I love the characters in this town and the oddball problems they get into. The characters are well-developed and there are gizmos and gadgets galore. I got DS#2 hooked on this. It's a great summer series (the new season starts the end of July). I'm not sure if Season 1 and 2 are out on DVD yet, but SciFi Channel does show some episodes on the web--maybe they have some old ones available.

crossposted on The Mad Tea Party

T.V. Series & Books: Dexter

Dexter appeared on Showtime last year and is scheduled on CBS soon. The series, based on the books by Jeff Lindsay, has an interesting premise: Dexter is a forensic blood-splatter specialist with the Miami-Dade Police Department. He's also a serial killer, but one with a code. Dexter's foster father, Harry, was a police officer. He recognized Dexter's tendencies, but rather than send him off to years of therapy, Harry taught Dexter a code. Dexter could kill only those who escaped conventional justice. And Dexter must follow very strict procedures so he won't get caught.

Part of Dexter's disguise is to appear normal. He has a girlfriend. He on the police force bowling team. He has a foster sister who he protects and who loves him very much. Still, in the books, Deborah suspects something is not quite right with Dexter. Sgt. Doakes, a detective on the force, also has his suspicions.

So this series isn't for everyone. Dexter is, after all, a killer. And he gets away with it. Yes, his victims are guilty of heinous crimes, but Dexter is judge, jury, and executioner which is not condoned by society nor by the Church.

So why do I enjoy this so much? There's something fascinating with the idea of the outsider looking in, trying to figure out what he can do to fit in. There is the cat-and-mouse aspect: will Dexter be able to get away with murder? Will Sgt. Doakes catch him in the act? Will Dexter become human? For that's really what this series is about--Dexter learning to love.

F-bombs are used liberally, both by males and females. I think the writers think this adds an aura of "authenticity," but do real cops swear quite so much and so often? Sex is frequent and often casual. Interestingly, the language and the sex in the novels are considerably tamer, yet manage to convey the same impressions and ideas.

I am rather curious to see how CBS handles this series, taming it for network television.

Overall, Dexter is well acted and raises some fascinating questions about morality and what it means to be human (especially in the second season, which has already played on Showtime). This series is not for everyone--I would be especially cautious with pre-teens and impressionable teenagers. We watch it as a family and have had some interesting discussions about vigilantism, casual sex, lying, deceit, and the use of sex as a tool of manipulation.

On the March Hare scale: 2.5 out of 5 Golden Remotes; 3 out of 5 Golden Bookmarks