“Gunpowder.” “Archie.” “Criminal Record.”

“Gunpowder” (HBO Max/Amazon Prime) British historical drama, based on the “Gunpowder Plot” in London in 1605. It stars Kit Harington, who is a direct descendant of his character Robert Catesby. This series is only told in three parts, which should have sufficed. But I feel I sort of needed to see more exploration. Understandably, the focus is on Robert Catesby though I wanted more about Guy Fawkes as essayed by Tom Cullen, with lots of brawn but less soul. 

       The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was an unsuccessful attempted regicide against King James I by a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby who considered their actions attempted tyrannicide and who sought regime change in England after decades of religious persecution.

       The short series offers a deeper dig-up. Which is the major kick in watching historical movies/series. 📺🎥📺

“Archie” (Amazon Prime) British biographical series about the life of Cary Grant starring Jason Isaacs in the lead role. The series depicts the man originally named Archibald Leach, born into poverty in Bristol in 1904, before he became Hollywood's Cary Grant. Scenes set later, in the 1960s, feature Grant in Los Angeles with personal issues affecting his happiness despite international stardom and many hit movies. 

       We don’t see much of Archie’s childhood background though, aside from snippets or un-navigated sequences with mom. This series is mostly based on Dyan Cannon’s life with Mr Grant. That, in itself, wasn’t dug up.  

       Very “procedural,” safe, and melodramatic. The usually bankable Jason Isaacs is more of a stereotypical Cary here, hence we don’t really get to indulge is The Man beyond what bios exhibit for the viewer to accept. The “unknown” actress Laura Aikman had reasons to stay “unknown.” She was Hallmark presence, that’s all. 📺🎥📺

“Criminal Record.” (Apple TV+) British crime thriller, follows two detectives, one a seasoned veteran (DCI Daniel Hegarty) and the other early in her career (DS June Lenker), clash on an old murder case after an anonymous phone call draws them to it. Major reason why I clicked/watched this is Cush Jumbo. I do love her craft. But the focal performance here is delivered by Peter Capaldi, an intriguing soul with the quiet strut of a bent copper.  

       

This series delves more on the psychological chess game of policing. Kinda gets you there, mainly because of Mr Capaldi’s stern look, steely resolve, and what more could be explored as he navigated the soiled terrain of his long police work. He has a junkie daughter that we reluctantly feeds dope, moonlights as an Uber driver, and was he really corrupt or what?

       Honestly, I don’t know. Till the show ended. I didn’t like that. 📺🎥📺