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I love horror films, and every Halloween I try to weed through the plethora of horror movies to recommend the good ones. This year, I decided to do something different: Television!
Unfortunately, besides SPN, there aren't many shows that feature horror well. So, I decided to focus on shows that invoke horror. I came up with two quite easily, and both starring a popular Brit - Robson Green.
The first show is Touching Evil which focuses on an elite police force named Organised and Serial Crimes Unit and the seriously disturbed individuals they pursue. Like most British shows, the actual violence is minimal but they are completely fearless about showing the bloody aftermath including the trauma suffered by the survivors.
This show was produced over a decade ago, but due to excellent acting and set direction, it's not showing any age at all. Touching Evil lasted only three seasons and has eight episodes total, but after watching them - I dare you to sleep with the lights off!
The second is IMHO the best crime drama to ever have been made across the pond: Wire in the Blood. This phenomenal series is based on novels by Val McDermid who sadly remains relatively unknown in this country in spite of her prodigious talents.The focal couple in this series are Dr. Tony Hill, a clinical psychologist, and Detective Inspector Carol Jordan. This is where I have to mention that Jordan is one of the most fascinating and toughest female creation in a genre littered with failed female antagonists. And her relationship with Dr. Hill, who is unsettling even at his best, is so tantalizingly well portrayed by Hermione Harris (who now stars in Spooks) that when the two face each other, you can't take your eyes off the screen.
Then there are the criminals who require the attention from Dr. Hill. From episode one, it's obvious that quite a few of them need a bullet in the head if not some medical advice. So, it's interesting to see how the police handle such specialized criminals. What's even more fascinating is how they are UNABLE to handle the weirdness thrown their way.
Admittedly, Prayer of the Bone is not the finest in the series but it took place - for reasons I never understood - in Texas. So, besides that hiccup, Wire in the Blood is an excellent series and like Touching Evil will scare you witless because the evil that's portrayed is all too human.
Unfortunately, besides SPN, there aren't many shows that feature horror well. So, I decided to focus on shows that invoke horror. I came up with two quite easily, and both starring a popular Brit - Robson Green.
The first show is Touching Evil which focuses on an elite police force named Organised and Serial Crimes Unit and the seriously disturbed individuals they pursue. Like most British shows, the actual violence is minimal but they are completely fearless about showing the bloody aftermath including the trauma suffered by the survivors.
This show was produced over a decade ago, but due to excellent acting and set direction, it's not showing any age at all. Touching Evil lasted only three seasons and has eight episodes total, but after watching them - I dare you to sleep with the lights off!
The second is IMHO the best crime drama to ever have been made across the pond: Wire in the Blood. This phenomenal series is based on novels by Val McDermid who sadly remains relatively unknown in this country in spite of her prodigious talents.The focal couple in this series are Dr. Tony Hill, a clinical psychologist, and Detective Inspector Carol Jordan. This is where I have to mention that Jordan is one of the most fascinating and toughest female creation in a genre littered with failed female antagonists. And her relationship with Dr. Hill, who is unsettling even at his best, is so tantalizingly well portrayed by Hermione Harris (who now stars in Spooks) that when the two face each other, you can't take your eyes off the screen.
Then there are the criminals who require the attention from Dr. Hill. From episode one, it's obvious that quite a few of them need a bullet in the head if not some medical advice. So, it's interesting to see how the police handle such specialized criminals. What's even more fascinating is how they are UNABLE to handle the weirdness thrown their way.
Admittedly, Prayer of the Bone is not the finest in the series but it took place - for reasons I never understood - in Texas. So, besides that hiccup, Wire in the Blood is an excellent series and like Touching Evil will scare you witless because the evil that's portrayed is all too human.
