One of those what are you watching posts…

Right now, I’m watching a LOT of rugby. The once in every four years event which is the Rugby World Cup is taking place in France, and Himself is indulging me in the full-on viewing experience. As it’s available on free-to-view TV (a rarity here in the UK) I’ve been filling my boots 🙂

And by that I mean watching up to 7 games per weekend. Rugby games are 40 minutes each way, except in the knock out stages – but that’s still a LOT of rugby for someone who’s not a fan. So, knowing this was to come, I’ve obviously been totally indulging Himself in choosing any other TV we watch.

Ever since I ruined things for him with some of his favourite action heroes by mocking them (or what I call expressing my opinion about them, the programmes they’re appearing in, and/or their public persona), I’ve tried to be a tad gentler with him.

Of late, what we’ve been watching has been a solid diet of police procedurals.

Longmire, with it’s stereotypically traditional, old-fashioned, strong ‘n silent, manly man central character, has been right up his street. And the sheriff’s cabin out in the gorgeous Wyoming countryside was too. I held back on my usual picking at stuff which irked me, but he mentioned the cultural appropriation in the Indian bit of its cowboys and Indians stuff before I had to bite my lip. All that said, it’s been a pleasant enough way to pass a weekday evening.

Justified, with another manly man central character, although this time one with more charm and wit – if lacking in the gorgeous countryside vistas – this worked better for us both. I didn’t have to hold back as much, because there were laughs a-plenty to distract me. It’s been amusing viewing, and there have been some great one liners which I have tucked away for later use.

Beck, from Sweden, where the detecting bit is well done, but where the standout character is a minor one – Beck’s elderly neighbour, played by an iconic and much loved Swedish actor. He is an absolute hoot – ugly as can be, he’s lived what can only be described as a colourful life, and isn’t done with it yet. Many an episode finds the pair of them standing on their balconies of a nighttime, sharing a brandy and talking. Sometimes the conversations are relevant and, even more rarely, they make sense 😀

Annika, with a female central character (hoorah!) is based in Scotland. The lead character has Norwegian roots and is a literature buff. She regularly talks direct to camera (and so to the viewers) mid programme, and loves to discuss the parallels between the current case and the works of Ibsen, Shakespeare and the like. This is a good example of the quirkiness of British humour – if that happens to be your thing.

Deadloch, with a large cast of women (double hoorah!) is set in Tasmania in a small town where the incomers are largely women and/or new age practitioners, which causes a culture clash with the old school, patriarchal and misogynist Aussie male locals. Someone is killing men, so the serious hunt for a murderer is played out against a lot fair bit of non-politically correct ribbing. This is TV which doesn’t take itself seriously, and it’s great fun as a result 😀

Although I’d like to blame the obvious theme on Himself, it’s more likely that police procedural is where his love of action intersects with my enjoyment of thrillers and mysteries.

What are you watching? Let me hear your recommendations for what should I be adding to my to be viewed list?

© Debra Carey, 2023