Ultraviolet

[neilalford]

With all the recent comparisions between Torchwood and the rather good Channel 4 vampire series Ultraviolet (as in, two similar concepts, one done well, one done, uhm, less well), I decided to rewatch Ultraviolet to see if it did stand up as well as I remembered, and crikey, it was good wasn't it!

Definitely a proper "adult" sci-fi\fantasy series, as in, it had intelligent and thought-provoking plots and believable characters, not just sex and swearing, and it wasn't afraid to tackle some fairly heavy issues. Also had a very nice line in moral ambiguity where you were never quite sure if the "good guys" really were on the right side.

The first series did a really good job of setting up the background to the conflict, introducing the characters and putting lots of pieces in place, then it ended :( Now as far as I can remember it wasn't cancelled, the writer just decided not to do a second series, is that right or was there more to it? Possibly Jack Davenport moving on to other things? I also noticed that in a recent poll by SFX magazine it was voted the series that people most wanted to see another series of, even beating Firefly :eek:

Oh, and to finish off, if you haven't seen it, I do recommend tracking down the DVD.

[MaxNutter]

i have it on dvd, and you're right, it's great!

[Nathan Adler]

Agreed, superb series. Did everything right that Torchwood gets wrong.

[MrHat001]

The beauty of it was that although it discussed adult themes (betrayal, religion, even paedophilia) it had little if any sex/nudity and I don't even recall much swearing.
And it finished on a perfect set-up for another season. The team learnt how the vampires 'revived' and Jacks friend was free again.

It just shows that cheap lesbian kisses and dodgy special FX don't make a good TV show.

[webslinger]

but they will never do another series sadly :(

[cluderi]

Ultraviolet was a fantastic example of British TV at it's best, it was clearly written as an intelligent and though provoking show for adults rather than the BBC sponsored cheeky panto written by retarded monkeys we're stuck with now.

I seem to recall (might be wrong though) that the one season was designed to show events leading up to the inevitable war between the leeches and the humans through the eyes of Davenports character. I seem to remember I read somewhere that a second season was never thought of or meant to be, everything he wanted to tell was told in S1.

It's still excellent and well worth picking up.

[neilalford]

I seem to recall (might be wrong though) that the one season was designed to show events leading up to the inevitable war between the leeches and the humans through the eyes of Davenports character. I seem to remember I read somewhere that a second season was never thought of or meant to be, everything he wanted to tell was told in S1.


Possibly, though there seems to be a lot of stuff in the first series that just seems like set up for a second series and which could possibly have been dropped or done differently if they had no intention of doing another. For instance they seemed to have moved his female friend (the one who was some sort of security person, not his mates ex who he had the crush on) into a position where she would likely be joing the group and a few other things.

Just seemed an awful lot of stuff was setup but never followed up on in the single series.

[Snoopy]

IIRC the writer only ever meant this to be a one off series and has never had any intention of doing any further episodes.

I think the fact it set it's self up for another series is one of the things I enjoy most about it. It didn't try and wrap it all up on purpose which so many TV series try and do these days, so your always left wanting more.

[sleepy67]

IIRC the writer only ever meant this to be a one off series and has never had any intention of doing any further episodes.And I never understood the writers intentions in doing this. He created such an excellant show and was blessed with some excellant actors. It so needed a second season to deal with the coming war.

I too recommend this to any who haven't seen it.

[Deaks]

http://www.world-productions.com/wp/content/shows/other/uv/intview2.htm

[joconnor]

I would love to see a second series.

Bring back Commodore Norrington and Stringer Bell to kick some vamp ass I say :thumbs:

[anephric]

I don't believe it was intended as a one-off because it ends on such a cliffhanger. Why would you set up such a tease and then say "Can't be bothered with it anymore".

Regardless, apart from being amazing humourless (a by-product of hiring Jack Davenport for anything) I always thought this was pretty great. Nice the way they make you doubt the "heroes".

[sleepy67]

Regardless, apart from being amazing humourless (a by-product of hiring Jack Davenport for anything)err have you ever seen Coupling? Its only one of the funniest programs made by the beeb recently.

[Alan b]

Regardless, apart from being amazing humourless

For me that is one reason why this series was so great.

I would love to see a second series but after all this time I doubt it would happen now. Any reason why a second one wasn't commissioned ?

[neilalford]

For me that is one reason why this series was so great.

I would love to see a second series but after all this time I doubt it would happen now. Any reason why a second one wasn't commissioned ?

It's in the interview above, though slightly vague, wasn't that it wasn't commisioned (I believe the viewing figures were good enough to get a second series) just that they basically didn't want to\didn't get round to doing one for various reasons :(

[Jimmyboy]

OK so 10 years after this show originally aired I finally track down the dvd after reading various hype in threads like this one only to find well, I really don't get it. I felt it had to much of a 'Casualty' / 'The Bill' type feel to it. I guess with years of hype it was never gonna quite live up to the expectations. I can see that it's set up for a potentially excellent 2nd series though.

[wonderfibre]

err have you ever seen Coupling? Its only one of the funniest programs made by the beeb recently.

that's not too difficult though is it?

[AndyH]

Also Ultraviolet features Susannah Harker :notworthy

[anephric]

err have you ever seen Coupling? Its only one of the funniest programs made by the beeb recently.

If you think Jack Davenport a) can act b) is remotely funny or c) is good for anything outside of credit card ads you need shooting.

For me that is one reason why this series was so great.


What I mean is: you never even saw any banter between the characters, none of the gallows humour you'd think a squad like this would develop - most of them were as interesting as pieces of slightly soggy cardboard. Which made me root for the vamps (even outside of the deliberate ambiguity), obviously.