Top Boy

[ladybirder]

Anybody else been watching this? I've been fascinated by it, very gritty and atmospheric. Music is perfect and the shots of London at night WOW. But if that's Hackney glad I don't live there.

[ladybirder]

Just you and me then mdoo. It has had very good reviews apparently so it's not really just us.

[jaydj]

yeah i saw it too, great programme
The housing estate bits was filmed in elephant and castle (Heygate Estate) South London
I recognised it from when i have been there before doing some filiming
It really is that bad there! not a nice place!

[ladybirder]

So not Hackney then jaydj?

[jaydj]

no not Hackney, well not the Flats,houses and street scenes anyway

[ladybirder]

OK, but some was shot in Hackney I think.
http://www.guardian.c...nel-4-hackney-top-boy

And have a look at this threat from DS.
http://forums.digital...wthread.php?t=1553817

I'm not trying to start an argument, just wondering. And I'm hoping they do another series, they left plenty of open ends to pick up.

[China Doll]

I thought I recognised the elephant and castle bits as well, I lived on the aylesbury estate until about 8/9. It was a really good program, I enjoyed it.

[ladybirder]

A group with discerning taste ...... obviously:-)

[danchip]

it never really got going like i expected it to but a good programme which deserves a second series!

[China Doll]

I don't want a second series, I want it to stay how it ended and that be it. I liked it with that ending.

[snags]

I watched and enjoyed it although I can't see how it can move on enough from what has already been to warrant another series. 'more of the same' isn't a good enough reason. The initial four hour one-off keeps it fresh: any more would be watering the initial idea down and further episodes could becoming clichéd imo...

[jaydj]

Yeah i hope they do another series too, I really enjoyed it, Great acting from such a young cast

[ladybirder]

danchip I liked that it didn't "get going" as you say. I liked the slow pace which gave it the atmosphere, the lingering beautiful shots of an ugly empty estate, if that makes sense. Too much fast-paced loud rubbish on TV for me. If I have a criticism it is that I found it hard to hear what some of the characters were saying, or mumbling more like, but then I guess that's how they speak. And I imagined these estates to have more people hanging around at night making a nuisance of themselves.

China I'm just greedy, I want more. You'll just have to not watch I'm afraid if I get my way.

[ladybirder]

snags, perhaps another Sopranos (8 series) or the Wire? Just kidding, it was good but not that good I don't think. But you never know they could up their game.

[danchip]

it was called top boy but who was the main character in it, was it Dushane or was it ra'nell(SP)?

it'd be good if a second series centred around their relationship, does ra'nell carry on with his education and avoid a life on "the road" or does he get sucked into it, does Dushane turn his back on his life and go straight there's a lot of possibilities which wouldn't detract from the original series!

[snags]

I'm of the view that the whole original idea of the initial four parter was how the character Dushane got to be 'Top Boy'. Now that has been shown/achieved what are we going to see in another series: more London 'bad bwoys' dealing drugs, killing the competition etc. etc. It'd almost too easy. Having said that I'd probably watch another series but for me it wouldn't have the same impact or interest as the first...

[Sooper]

Loved it and thought the music was exceptional and sounded like the artist Burial i thought but when i checked it was the legend that is Brian Eno, awesome!

[JimmyCooper]

Started off well but for me the last episode let it down namely no retribution for Sully and the horrible one who killed the dog

[ladybirder]

Jimmy you've just mentioned a couple of story lines in your post that could lead into a new series, please please please. I'm still well cheesed off about that dog though.
Sooper I agree about the music as I mentioned, perfect example of music enhancing the enjoyment of the action on the screen.