Back from Russia! I read the first four Callan novels while I was there, and The Callan File arrived in my absence. I love its analysis of the series 2 change in the Callan/Meres relationship - exactly how I see it. Their rapprochement is definitly prompted by Meres making overtures of camaraderie and 'growing up' a bit, which enables them to develop proper respect for one another. I've just reached the stuff about series 3.
I find it interesting that they put Meres' treatment of Latour in Death of a Friend down to homophobia. I confess I discerned a sexual motive instead: I think Meres rather enjoys terrifying pretty, vulnerable young men. I read a certain overtone of sexual menace to the interrogation scene. Of course, my slash goggles are basically welded to my face at this point...
I haven't yet watched the 1974 film! It's on the list. I have, however, begun that post-Jolly Miller hurt/comfort.
The interviews reveal that 'kid brother' is exactly what Tam Williams is going for. Which is baffling. Especially since one of the writers reveals that Meres was one of his favourites in the original show, so his solution to 'How can we flesh out this short story into a full-length episode?' was usually 'Add more Meres'. And I agree! But I start to wonder which version of the show this writer was watching...And I find Callan's VA too slow and measured: Woodward's delivery was much sharper and more aggressive. You're right that Hunter's VA is the best, and although Frank Skinner's Lonely isn't as good as Russell Hunter's (how could it be? Hunter utterly inhabited the part), I think it's a plausible take.
The 'Hark at you, duckie!' line is in the ninth Awesome Amateur track, just after the two-minute mark. He goes on to describe Callan's outfit, then says 'I can think of a few clubs in the West End where you'd be very popular indeed.' Can you now, Toby...My Iddy Bang does involve the two of them attending a very discreet gentlemen's club for specific tastes, undercover.
In the novels, Meres favours pink gin, which is stereotypically the drink of naval officers - though of course he's Brigade of Guards, so army. Both pink gin and gin&tonic are mixed drinks/cocktails, and a bit 'posher' and less aggressively masculine than Callan's dedication to Scotch, which identifies him as a 'hard' man.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2019-07-25 10:55 am (UTC)I find it interesting that they put Meres' treatment of Latour in Death of a Friend down to homophobia. I confess I discerned a sexual motive instead: I think Meres rather enjoys terrifying pretty, vulnerable young men. I read a certain overtone of sexual menace to the interrogation scene. Of course, my slash goggles are basically welded to my face at this point...
I haven't yet watched the 1974 film! It's on the list. I have, however, begun that post-Jolly Miller hurt/comfort.
The interviews reveal that 'kid brother' is exactly what Tam Williams is going for. Which is baffling. Especially since one of the writers reveals that Meres was one of his favourites in the original show, so his solution to 'How can we flesh out this short story into a full-length episode?' was usually 'Add more Meres'. And I agree! But I start to wonder which version of the show this writer was watching...And I find Callan's VA too slow and measured: Woodward's delivery was much sharper and more aggressive. You're right that Hunter's VA is the best, and although Frank Skinner's Lonely isn't as good as Russell Hunter's (how could it be? Hunter utterly inhabited the part), I think it's a plausible take.
The 'Hark at you, duckie!' line is in the ninth Awesome Amateur track, just after the two-minute mark. He goes on to describe Callan's outfit, then says 'I can think of a few clubs in the West End where you'd be very popular indeed.' Can you now, Toby...My Iddy Bang does involve the two of them attending a very discreet gentlemen's club for specific tastes, undercover.
In the novels, Meres favours pink gin, which is stereotypically the drink of naval officers - though of course he's Brigade of Guards, so army. Both pink gin and gin&tonic are mixed drinks/cocktails, and a bit 'posher' and less aggressively masculine than Callan's dedication to Scotch, which identifies him as a 'hard' man.