I've been on a delightful journey following a variety of older television gems, eating up seasons and episodes in large gulps. You've probably haven't seen my "love letter" introducing Doc Martin, one of my early discoveries, followed by information on the coming new episodes of Foyle's War. Let me introduce you to three dusty gems that sparkle, hopefully enticing you to take a look.
Here's how BBC Worldwide bills Torchwood, its spinoff of Dr. Who:
"Separate from the government, outside the police, beyond the U. N.: Torchwood sets its own rules. Fighting for the future of the human race. The 21st century is when everything changes --and Torchwood is ready."
Arrogant, brilliant and charismatic Captain Jack Harkness and the Torchwood team delves into the unknown and fights the impossible. The members of the Torchwood Institute, a secret
organization founded by the British Crown, fight to protect the Earth from
extraterrestrial and supernatural threats.Policewoman Gwen Cooper stumbles into Torchwood and joins the team. Computer whiz Tosh, medical man Owen, and Jack of all trades Ianto complete the group of loyal, capable followers that stand with Captain Jack against the unknown.
The highly acclaimed sy-fy series ran four seasons with 26 episodes, winning 9 major awards and 37 nominations. John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness) and Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper) were the only actors to appear in every episode. The series is well acted and imaginative with continuous surprises for the viewer. Written for adults, the writers don't shy away from sex and the characters have believable sex lives that impact their decisions and actions. The series doesn't back away from gritty issues and the characters make understandable choices and live to face the consequences. No spoilers here, but I hope you fall in love with the flawed crew that can take you on an amazing journey.
Life is another series that I found quite interesting. The series ran two seasons, beginning in 2007 and won the AFI award for best television series in 2008. The storyline follows quirky Detective Charlie Crews, a former police officer, wrongfully convicted of his partner's murder. After spending 12 years in Pelican Bay State Prison, Crews' lawyer proves him innocent and he is released, promoted to Detective, and compensated with a $50 million settlement. Homeland lead actor Damian Lewis portrays Crews who has developed interesting methods of coping with the world while he was imprisoned. Should anyone be surprised that Crews vows to find out who really murdered his partner?
Detective Dani Reese (actor Sarah Shahi), Charlie's skeptical partner, has a number of irons on the fire that threaten her safety, along with Charlie's. Ted Earley (Adam Arkin), Crews' former cell mate is now his housemate and financial advisor. The various police officers, lawyers, and other characters play the role of those who could have murdered Charlie's partner. Good luck figuring out the mystery. The fun is in trying to solve Charlie's nagging problem which keeps his life unravelling.
Last in my trio of goodies is Endgame, a Canadian drama created by Avrum Jacobson and staring Shawn Doyle. The show starts four months after the death of Balagan's fiancee Rosemary, where Balagan has developed agoraphobia (fear of public places). He becomes an "arm-chair detective using a number of friends and hotel staffers to provide the information necessary to solve each case.
Here's how the series creator Avrum Jacobson presents the drama:
Endgame is an original drama series centering on brilliant chess master, Arkady Balagan. Traumatized by the murder of his fiancée, Balagan has become a prisoner in his luxury Vancouver hotel, terrified to step outside. To pay his bill, Balagan starts solving mysteries - using an unlikely band of hotel employees and chess fanatics to do his legwork. Arrogant, brilliant and charismatic, the Russian-born Balagan uses the skills that made him chess champion of the world to solve the crimes that mystify others. He imagines events, interviews the living and the dead, and runs conflicting scenarios - all in his head. And we get to watch right along with him as he solves crimes that baffle the police. In Endgame, we see genius at work.The season premiered on March 1, 2011 and ended after one season of 13 episodes. Balagan's crew includes his apprentice Sam Besht-grad student and chess fanatic, Hugo-head of Security at the Huxley Hotel, Danni-hotel bartender, Alcina-hotel cleaning lady and Pippa-sister of Balagan's deceased fiancee.
In June, 2012 it was announced that the show would not return.
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