That Was England

Last night I watched the final episode of This Is England.  I had been really looking forward to the series and even raved about the first episode on this blog.  However, by the second episode I started to feel as if I was missing something.The back drop, clothes, music and characters are all perfect but it just fell a little flat.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but it seemed the storyline had run out of steam and at times the acting seemed wooden.  It's a shame because when the cast are on form it's great. Last night's episode  proved that, particularly the scenes with Woody and Milky. 

World Cup 86 provides the back drop and the series ends with Maradonna's "Hand of God" goal. Combo's return was neatly tied up but how and why he stumbled into Shaun's house in the first place is still a mystery. It seems that Shaun and Smell are together and Woody and Lol are back on track.

Shane Meadows has said that if there are to be any more then it will be done at 4 year intervals. Despite my criticism it was good to have the gang back on the screen and for that I say "Roll on Italia '90".

A Quiet Night In

Having spent the previous four nights watching bands last night was a quiet night in front of the TV.  First we had the football and then what the continuity announcer said was "one of the must see TV events of the year" This Is England 86.

England's Euro2012 qualifying campaign is off to a good start.  Two wins out of two and top of the group.  I missed their opening match against Bulgaria as I was at Moseley but last night I sat down to watch them beat Switzerland 3-1.

A strong England performance with Wayne Rooney, Adam Johnson and Darren Bent (his first goal for England) on the score sheet.

Theo Walcott was injured in the move that lead to the first goal and had to be taken to hospital. Jermaine Defoe was also stretchered off as the game went on.

With England in the driving seat at 2-0 and Switzerland down to 10 men, after Lichtsteiner was sent off for a second bookable offence, a fantastic strike by Shaqiri gave Switzerland a fighting chance before Darren Bent sealed England's victory.

A good England performance but nothing more than what we should expect given the opposition. 

After a short break it was time to settle down for This Is England 86.  The new Channel 4 mini series that reintroduces us to the characters of the 2006 film This Is England.

If you've not seen the original film it centres around a young lad called Shaun who falls in with a group of skinheads.  When an older skinhead, Combo, returns following a prison sentence he takes Shaun under his wing.  Combo is a racist and eventually attacks the only black skinhead in the group. Shaun becomes disillusioned with Combo and walks away from the group following the attack.

It is here where last night started.  The series catches up with Shaun and the group 3 years later.  The first episode was mainly an introduction of the characters with Shaun running into his former friends and girlfriend following a trip to the hospital.

The show is what I would expect from Shane Meadows. The bleak Yorkshire landscape, the clothes and the music all blend to give a great snapshot of life in the mid 80s.

The hour flew by and the disappointment of having to wait a whole week before the next episode is something I haven't felt  for a long time.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable night in.