Shetland

[MargoTester]

I have never watched this but notice that a new series (8) starts tonight. Would I need to have watched all the other series to enjoy/understand the plot?

[Ken4155]

No, but it would help if you had watched a couple of previous episodes because the main detective has left and a lady tec takes his place. I'm guessing there will be teething problems.

[Ken4155]

I should have stated that the lead detective has been in charge for 7 entire seasons.

[MargoTester]

Thanks Ken, I assume it will be on iplayer. I'll watch a few old episodes and record the new series 

[MargoTester]

Yes I saw that Ashley Jensen was now in it and I've always liked her. Thanks again 

[Redhelen72]

No, but its such a fantastic series i would recommend you do

[perseverer]

The characters and some of the earlier series storylines are based on books by Anne Cleeves, whose books are the basis for the Vera detective TV series set in Northumberland so if you like that you will probably enjoy Shetland even without seeing earlier episodes. 

[barry1010]

My wife was very disappointed with Ashley as Agatha Raisin, she just did not fit her idea of Agatha

We both enjoy Shetland so we are looking forward to the new series

[MargoTester]

Apparently there have been 38 episodes of Shetland so far! I think I'll go back to Series 7 and see how I get on. Thanks Helen

[MargoTester]

Thanks persevered and Barry

[Canary42]

/// she just did not fit her idea of Agatha ///

Always a problem with adaptions of written word, we build our own conceptions (usually more accurate than TV versions) so disappointment is inevitable.  Probably better not  to have read the original text.

[Ken4155]

I merely suggested watching a couple of episodes to get the 'vibe' of the team with Jimmy Perez in charge. As I  said, a new boss arrives to take over tonight and we all know what new brooms do. I can well imagine a few noses being put out of joint and if you're new to the series, you may not quite understand what's going on for much of the episode.

[barry1010]

Do true, Canary.

I have read all of the Shetland and Vera books and don't find the books clash with the TV series.

I read all the Morse books, too, and was amused that the book Morse became more John Thaw as the TV and book series progressed

[ouibonjour]

Switched off after 20 mins - just not he same without Dougie Henshall. The new detective just didnt fit in for us!

[barry1010]

We are going to treat it as an entirely new series and not compare.  

[ponkle]

I enjoyed it,and look forward to rest of series

[brainiac]

Was looking forward to this but found it disappointing.  The new detective was born and raised in Shetland, but doesn't have a Shetland accent?  Actually, nobody (except actor Steven Robertson, who actually was born there) does.

And Phyllis Logan in the same 'matriarch' role she played in Guilt.  I'll give it another go, but it better pick up or I'll give up.

[Lie-in King]

I enjoyed the opener & like Barry above ^^^ wasn't trying to compare Jimmy Pérez with Ruth Calder.  She'll settle in nicely, I think.

[Ken4155]

Haven't seen episode 1 yet - too busy watching  Burnley lose (yet again - not a single SOT!) - then watched the final episode of 'Time'.

Barry, i don't know how you managed to read all the Shetland books. I only read one and a bit and gave up because of the author's continued reminders of just how awkward Perez was when it came to wooing the opposite sex.

I gave up on the Alex Cross books for a similar reason - the author reminded us - on almost every other page - that Cross was a black man.

These constant reminders tend to spoil what are otherwise decent novels. IMHO, of course.

[barry1010]

I enjoyed the first few Alex Cross books but they were very samey and I got bored of him 

[hellywelly4]

I've just watched the first episode and thoroughly enjoyed it. I treated it as completely unconnected with the previous series and it worked. Lovely to see Tosh again.