[pressgang] Series 1 - Episode 2 PHOTO FINISH

[Vince Deehan]

PRESS GANG

Series 1 - Episode 2

Photo Finish

Watched Tuesday 25/01/2022

This morning I watched the second episode of series 1. I think series 1 is
the one series I have watched the least of all. This episode certainly
threw up scenes which I could barely recall. The scene where Spike turns up
at the Council offices dressed as a Viking (?) didn’t seem familiar to me.

The episode starts with Lynda talking with a very raspy voice. Julia
Sawalha seemed to be suffering from a very sore throat and her voice was
really quite badly affected. Still, she soldiered on as I guess she had to.
It’s cool the way that in two later scenes in the episode, her lack of
voice is specifically mentioned in the script. A sign of some very witty
re-writing on the fly, by the brilliant Steven Moffat.

I enjoyed the scene where Spike and Frazz bump into two associates in the
street, who mercilessly tease them both about working for the ‘kiddie
newspaper’. The way these young men are dressed really gives a good sense
of the late 1980s in the UK.

I like the fact that it’s mentioned that the day is a Saturday.  I don’t
know why, but it’s a nice detail that I enjoyed. It gives the episode a
nice atmosphere, knowing that it’s a weekend.

The actress who plays the councillor is really good and the way she says
the line “should there be one” to Lynda is priceless. It’s brutal! Her name
is Sandra Voe. I just looked her up on imdb. She was in Call The Midwife
in 2019! Here is a recent photo of her:
https://images.app.goo.gl/5zMpcsyNxWgd6iMB6

I had forgotten all about the James Armstrong character. He is never seen
other than in a photo. He is said to be taking Lynda to see a gig in
Sherringham and Spike is overcome with jealousy.

Julie says something about him which was very suggestive in a children’s
drama. Something along the lines of ‘he could certainly satisfy me’, or
something like that. It made me laugh.

I enjoyed the scenes in Czar’s cafe. The way Lynda walks in and embarrasses
Spike in front of his mates is really funny.

Very cool final shot of Spike dancing into the air at the end.

The episode is available on YouTube for those who want to watch it.
https://youtu.be/-rVFWLE8CHY

I look forward to episode 3 next week.

Thank you for reading.

Vince Deehan
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