Brooking the villain
Posted on 2008-11-13 [direct link]
I'm something of a fan of the "acceptable" male soap opera Heroes. The first half of the first series was actaully very well done, with a consistently excellent look and bearable writing. The writing then went somewhat off the rails for the end of the series, became almost intolerable for the 2nd series and has almost reached an acceptable standard again by mid-3rd series. The fact I'm still watching it is slightly baffling (we haven't even got an eye-candy cheerleader to watch any more) and confirms the soap opera status.
But it isn't the highly dubious scripts that I struggle with most. The main problem is the casting of Sir Trevor Brooking as Arthur Petrelli. Brooking is a cuddly and largely inoffensive figure from English Football's past. He occasionally pops up in some figurehead role at either the FA or West Ham, normally championing sportsmanship from a bygone age or protesting about the poor state of youth team development. All round nice guy. He even manages to stay clean when highly questionable FA decisions of massive financial significance favour West Ham. He has enormous influence, but remains above suspicion.
So how can we take him seriously as the ultimate villain? A man so determined to shape the future of the world that he'll kill any family member, or friend, that questions him. I'll buy into a flying man, a girl that heals and some dude that can gain powers by studying brains. But Trevor Brooking as the ultimate baddie? Suspension of disbelief taken too far.
Posted on 2008-11-13 [direct link]
I'm something of a fan of the "acceptable" male soap opera Heroes. The first half of the first series was actaully very well done, with a consistently excellent look and bearable writing. The writing then went somewhat off the rails for the end of the series, became almost intolerable for the 2nd series and has almost reached an acceptable standard again by mid-3rd series. The fact I'm still watching it is slightly baffling (we haven't even got an eye-candy cheerleader to watch any more) and confirms the soap opera status.
But it isn't the highly dubious scripts that I struggle with most. The main problem is the casting of Sir Trevor Brooking as Arthur Petrelli. Brooking is a cuddly and largely inoffensive figure from English Football's past. He occasionally pops up in some figurehead role at either the FA or West Ham, normally championing sportsmanship from a bygone age or protesting about the poor state of youth team development. All round nice guy. He even manages to stay clean when highly questionable FA decisions of massive financial significance favour West Ham. He has enormous influence, but remains above suspicion.
So how can we take him seriously as the ultimate villain? A man so determined to shape the future of the world that he'll kill any family member, or friend, that questions him. I'll buy into a flying man, a girl that heals and some dude that can gain powers by studying brains. But Trevor Brooking as the ultimate baddie? Suspension of disbelief taken too far.
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[2008-11-13 at 18:42 (updated once)]
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