Oliver Offers Satisfying Norse Course

The 'Vikings' (BBC2), a great bunch of lads? Neil Oliver would seem to think so and in this episode in his series on the hairy marauders, he looked at their Western expeditions. They aren't just the, er, barbarians of lore - their culture and legacy is rich and varied. From the Norsemen sailing from Bergen to Shetland, their diet of rotten shark, the voyage of Erik the Red from Greenland to Newfoundland, the 'Thing' (an Icelandic forerunner of a Parliament) to their art, 'Vikings' explored the sophistication and civilizing aspects of this amazing group of travelling people. Oliver presented in his usual relaxed manner - anyone who knows him from 'Coast' will recognise his easygoing presentation style. The scenery and photography was stunning; what an awe-inspiring and pristine landscape these maritime pioneers must have surveyed. TV History isn't an easy gig but Oliver gets the balance between discourse and entertainment just right. There's a decent audienceship out there for mid-market, intelligent history programmes and this is one such programme. Already being favourably contrasted to Andrew Marr's disappointing 'History of the World' (see previous entry from 'thetvreviewguy'), 'Vikings' shows us how recent the past is, a mere 30-40 generations ago since Erik the Red and Co were on the rampage and settling down in Europe and beyond. A voyage worth joining.

The Ascent of Marr

The BBC isn't afraid to tackle the Big Issues and they don't come any bigger than 'Andrew Marr's History of the World' (BBC1). Marr is a great Generalist and often compelling presenter and 'thetvreviewguy' was looking forward to this ambitious series. What we got was good but not groundbreaking. An overview of 'Man' from 70,000 BC to the Egyptians looking at key points in human development. Thus we were told about our descent from 'Eve' or 'Mother' in Africa (how our genetic code relates back to a relatively small tribe that moved out of the Continent), our forrays into cave art, the foundation of agriculture, and the rise of civilization with the develpment of writing and a courts system.  None of this is new to BBC or Discovery viewers (the latter network, along with Open University, being one of the programme's three producers). The format, re-enactment, then Marr to camera, re-enactment etc has the feel of a Museum AV room film to it; where are the geologists, ethnographers, art historians, anthropologists? There's nothing wrong with explaining what most educated or self-taught people would know already but if this is intended for a school audience, it should be given that time slot. Marr is authorative but none of this research is his; he is standing on the shoulders of giants and this is where the concept of the Generalist falls through.While this should go on to do huge business for BBC Worldwide, it left 'thetvreviewguy' somewhat underwhelmed.

Oil's Well That Ends Well

If you grew up in the 1980s in Ireland, you'll remember 'Dallas' (TV3) as part of a modernising influence in the land thirty years ago. It was condemned from pulpits, complained about on the Gay Byrne Radio Show and spawned an appalling but emminently catchy 'Country N' Irish' hit, 'I Shot JR'. It got huge ratings; even allowing for the lack of channels, it brought in the viewers. How does it bear up to the original? The older cast members are mortal after all, and have noticeably aged; although Linda Gray, legs of Mrs Robinson in the 'Graduate' movie poster, still looks pretty good (however who knows what magical face stuff the some of the cast has been using to stay young)? There's still  the same story - the Ewings and their Oil, good and bad (Bobby and JR) and Larry Hagman still exudes baddy-ness, perfect as a the Miltonic Satan, a decent actor in his own right (remember his turn in 'Primary Colours?'). While 'thetvreviewguy' probably won't be following the series, it still has the iconic opening theme (with the Credit Montage updated) and while there's still lashings of sex (no nudity of course), and some nice bits in dialogue, the younger characters just ain't got the moxy of their 1980s predecessors. But as a nostalgia trip, and a smart take on the attractions of villains, it's still pretty good and reassuring, remnding us in the background that Rick Perry won't be President.