I caught the first episode on TV a while back and finally tracked down what this show was called so I can watch the rest of it. This miniseries has a decent cast and downright great cinematography but the plot doesn't make much sense. The first episode has just enough suspense and intrigue to want more, however nothing happens in episode two, and the finale leaves more questions than answers. This review is filled with massive SPOILERS!
The show starts with Tom (Michael Palin of Monty Python fame) faking an injury so he can go into care. We soon find out though that he isn't traveling alone, despite having an empty suitcase. The social worker who brought him there dies in mysterious fashion, prompting a police investigation... I'll skip to the end and say Tom is haunted by his childhood nanny, Isha, who died in a boat during WWI on her way back to India. Here's where the questions begin:
There was a line of dialog claiming she said she would protect him 'for all time' or somesuch, but why did she kill his wife and the social worker? Although I'm pretty sure it was never stated, let's assume Isha was a jealous ghost; why then did she kill the care home worker (second death in the show)? Is she some Gurkha assassin disposing of witnesses? Why didn't she go after the resident who recognized Tom (Nancy I think her name was)? In the second episode, Tom says in one of Hannah's visions that Isha would never hurt a child, but in the end Isha tries to kill her 10 year-old brother, and Hannah as well. Why?
Which brings me to Tom. In the beginning it seems like he was trying to get away from Isha, but he could have at any time by singing the entirety of a made-up song! He claims to have 'been very careful' when concocting his escape plan to the care home, and he says she travels in things related to her, so why did he just not leave on his own and not involve anybody else? In the end Tom has to make a choice; save Hannah and her brother or free Isha's spirit. He's reluctant because she's been with him all his 110+ years of living... so why was he running from her in the first place? If Isha's wish all along was for him to join her in death why/how did she extend his life, and if it wasn't why did he die immediately after he sang the song?
It's unfortunate how a story can draw me in so well but have a completely nonsensical premise. On top of that, this didn't need to be three episodes long; two would've cut out the necessary fat. It's entirely possible I've missed important parts that would answer some of my questions, but not all of them. As another reviewer said, watch the first episode then make up an ending on your own, it'll probably be more interesting. Cheers.
The show starts with Tom (Michael Palin of Monty Python fame) faking an injury so he can go into care. We soon find out though that he isn't traveling alone, despite having an empty suitcase. The social worker who brought him there dies in mysterious fashion, prompting a police investigation... I'll skip to the end and say Tom is haunted by his childhood nanny, Isha, who died in a boat during WWI on her way back to India. Here's where the questions begin:
There was a line of dialog claiming she said she would protect him 'for all time' or somesuch, but why did she kill his wife and the social worker? Although I'm pretty sure it was never stated, let's assume Isha was a jealous ghost; why then did she kill the care home worker (second death in the show)? Is she some Gurkha assassin disposing of witnesses? Why didn't she go after the resident who recognized Tom (Nancy I think her name was)? In the second episode, Tom says in one of Hannah's visions that Isha would never hurt a child, but in the end Isha tries to kill her 10 year-old brother, and Hannah as well. Why?
Which brings me to Tom. In the beginning it seems like he was trying to get away from Isha, but he could have at any time by singing the entirety of a made-up song! He claims to have 'been very careful' when concocting his escape plan to the care home, and he says she travels in things related to her, so why did he just not leave on his own and not involve anybody else? In the end Tom has to make a choice; save Hannah and her brother or free Isha's spirit. He's reluctant because she's been with him all his 110+ years of living... so why was he running from her in the first place? If Isha's wish all along was for him to join her in death why/how did she extend his life, and if it wasn't why did he die immediately after he sang the song?
It's unfortunate how a story can draw me in so well but have a completely nonsensical premise. On top of that, this didn't need to be three episodes long; two would've cut out the necessary fat. It's entirely possible I've missed important parts that would answer some of my questions, but not all of them. As another reviewer said, watch the first episode then make up an ending on your own, it'll probably be more interesting. Cheers.