purplecat: Hand Drawn picture of a Toy Cat (Default)
purplecat ([personal profile] purplecat) wrote2013-02-23 05:36 pm

PNW: The Great Escape

Another excellent episode.

I think the episode benefitted from pulling away from the ensemble for a week and focussing instead on just Evan, Dylan and Leeds. Leeds, in particular, did very well even though I suspect Evan and Dylan got more actual screen time. I love the way the character shifts between bumbling and determined, and the way he obviously has a strong moral sense, albeit one that recognises certain expediencies and is prepared to own the consequences of his actions. It makes him a much more nuanced military figure, and semi-antagonist, than you often see.

I was also impressed by the way that even though Evan and Dylan's behaviour is both dangerous and foolish we actually believe, given the characters they have been given, that this is what they would do. I'm really much more impressed by the character work on this iteration of Primeval (and on the greater attention that is, once more, being paid to the way tranquilisers work). B. was impressed by the realisation of a terror bird walking on ice. We are, in general, impressed.

Obviously, just to be clear we weren't impressed by everything, Major Douglas and his military team were about as useless as a chocolate fireguard. Dylan took stupid risks, again, even after the terror bird had killed a human. Her characterisation, early on in the show, as a predator control expert was very good, but she's been gradually slipping towards Primeval's tendency to over-sentimentalise the creatures. However her decision to euthanize the bird at the end was well played and very credible.

But all in all I really liked this episode. I'm impressed by the arc-plotting work they've done leading from Angry Birds onwards, with Undone, Truth and The Great Escape as particular high points.


I have to say that Primeval: New World has turned out to be a much better show than I had expected. So, of course, it entirely figures that its cancellation was announced the other day. It's not a Firefly level tragedy, but given I thought Primeval's "cancellation" after series three was more or less a case of putting it out of its misery, and its second cancellation after series five was understandable, if a bit of shame, I'm really rather upset about this one.

[identity profile] deinonychus-1.livejournal.com 2013-02-23 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Lol! I'm vaguely surprised that we haven't had more PNW fic turning up yet, to be honest.

Ah yes, the emotionally driven unpredictable (millionaire) scientific genius vs. the calm, rational political pragmatist. If they could just work *together* they'd have taken over the world in a week! Possibly two weeks at the outside ;-)

I keep thinking I *ought* to be writing Mac fic, because it's a waste of such gratuitous cuteness not to, but I'm really not feeling any urge at all to write fic about any of these characters. By ep 1.5 of our Primeval, I was writing post-episode Nick/Claudia fic, because I desperately *needed* to write fic for them and their proto-relationship. I'm now ten episodes into New World, and the only occasion that has even made me consider writing fic was ep 5, when I felt a vague hankering for some post-ep Mac angst (but then didn't actually write any).

I'm now trying to pin down exactly what it is that makes me want to write fic for a show, and I really don't know.
celeste9: (new world: mac)

[personal profile] celeste9 2013-02-23 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
I keep meaning to write PNW fic, if that means anything, but I've been flitting around from project to project and frankly biting off more than I can chew. I swear I am going to write the Jess/Toby fic I desperately need, at the very least. And the Becker AU with Mac in it. :)

[identity profile] deinonychus-1.livejournal.com 2013-02-23 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Sporfle! ANGST!

As I said in Denial chat last week, the universe would implode from the overload of angsty sarcastic adorableness if Mac and Becker appear in a fic together!

[identity profile] deinonychus-1.livejournal.com 2013-02-23 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Lol! You should so write it! Also, I thoroughly approve of your hand waving in the interests of maximum angst! *evil grin*
fredbassett: (Default)

[personal profile] fredbassett 2013-02-23 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
WRITE ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!

[identity profile] deinonychus-1.livejournal.com 2013-02-23 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Icon love!!!! *cuddles Mac*

random comment is random...
celeste9: (new world: mac)

[personal profile] celeste9 2013-02-23 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
He is just so cuddleable! And yes, that is totally a word...

[identity profile] deinonychus-1.livejournal.com 2013-02-23 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Definitely a real word!
fredbassett: (Default)

[personal profile] fredbassett 2013-02-23 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I wish I knew the answer t that last question!

I;ve really enjoyed New World as well, but I can't say I ahve a huge urge to write fic for it, but my contrast, my two day conference has given me a ton of bunnies for original Primeval fic.
celeste9: (PriWriMo: new world team)

[personal profile] celeste9 2013-02-23 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG, please write that! *makes puppy eyes*
celeste9: (primeval: jess)

[personal profile] celeste9 2013-02-23 08:26 pm (UTC)(link)
DO IT!
fredbassett: (Default)

[personal profile] fredbassett 2013-02-23 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I WANT THAT FIC!!!!

Ken's screwdriver throwing moment was so superbly competent that I fell in love with him at that point.

I've just watched the finale and really enjoyed it. Connor fans will adore it and I have just found an incidental character I;d like to slash!