Eternal Law

Okay so I watched the first one of these because I thought with this cast it deserved a look. Was a bit strange and not you traditional law drama but thought I'd watch it again this week (second episode) and I think it's actually quite good. Sure there will be people for whom the concept doesn't fit but I think if you can get you head around it and accept it it's actually a good drama, none the least because of the acting, all the main cast are good and Sam West is superb, that and the random but cool songs they seem to like playing in the end credits for me means it deserves a lot more than the 4.8 its currently rated at on here! If your open minded and like a your drama well-acted give it a try.

I'm surprised this got such a bad rating. It's the kind of quirky TV series the Brits are so good at. The subject matter is a little off- putting to the first time viewer (angel lawyers, really?!) but shouldn't be as this is a good old-fashioned human drama and the angelic theme is just a good guy/bad guy spin. In fact if you are tuning in expecting to see a 'Supernatural'-esque show you are more likely to be disappointed. It could have just have easily been a courtroom drama and in that respect it delivers. The angelic element adds a little mystery, and the city of York is the kind of backdrop where you can believe mortals and eternals could mix. Whilst it might not be the best-written series on TV, it's also not worth a 5.6 rating.

Doesn't look like it will return for a series 2 but if you can catch series 1 somewhere - on DVD or demand - well worth a watch.

This series hit me in so many ways - it had intrigue, Machievellian plots and soul. I really don't think it was promoted enough so that it reached enough people. Perhaps show series one again and see how it goes down. Promote it effectively and see how it goes. The characters were utterly believable despite the whole 'are angels real, or not?' question. It also took in a beautiful location that will appeal to not only the Brits but any foreign visitors to the UK who have visited York. I particularly liked the segue between every day people that the 'lawyers' served and the angelic realm. The end notes of each program where you saw the angels on top of York minster in their true angelic forms, when they hashed over the last case always showed the angst experienced by the angels while dealing with the case. Please just try again with this and promote it professionally.

I admit it, I enjoy Eternal Law an ungodly amount every single week. The episodic plots are rarely good. The occasional weekly supporting actor can be atrocious. There are some dodgy special effects.

But the show has heart. It has a beguiling sense of optimism, hope, and the belief that love - while painful - is worthwhile. The show doesn't take itself seriously at all. It knows it is ridiculous. It's not trying to be Drama. The angel lawyers have gigantic wings that suddenly appear in scenes, with very little rhyme or reason. There are scenes in which angel lawyers smoke cigars on top of York Minster with their wings unfurled! But, and this is important, whilst the cheese is strong with this one, there are also a lot of balancing scenes. There are some good, tasty water crackers being used as a base for the cheese (with maybe a bit of pepper, if that's your thing) so that the taste isn't all boursin.

I adore all of the characters, who are well-rounded, with complex motivations and understandings. This is including the villain of the piece, Richard, who is a fallen angel, rather menacing, and yet completely hilarious every second he's on screen. There are compelling dynamics between the leads, not to mention some fantastic dialogue (after the pilot, which still had stellar lines such as "What happens if we get shot in this world?"/"Hurts to buggery.") Zak has epic angelpain, yet still manages to be wise and witty. Tom is adorably confused and on the steep learning curve that is life. Mrs Sheringham is supportive yet tortured. Hannah is oddly compelled to the craziness that is Zak Gist and his emotional temperature control of doom. It's all golden.

And it isn't merely the characters I have fun with. Apart from the somewhat dodgy SFX on occasion the show is shot beautifully, with interesting yet not jarring camera-work and York shown from every stunning vantage-point. The music and credits are similarly quality work.

I am very much looking forward to buying the DVDs. And whilst I doubt there will be a second series, I will jump for joy if there is one. Eternal Law makes me happy. It isn't High Art, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. It is, in its own, special, way. When it's good, it's wonderful, when it's bad, it's laughable. But I am never, ever bored.

This show is definitely innovative. At first I thought it might be like "Touched By An Angel"....but it's much darker. Seems the angels have an impossible job, and it's interesting to watch them overcome challenges. The "devil" is also well played. I do think the show endings are borrowed from "Boston Legal" but it's fantastic to see those gigantic wings they sprout during those segments! I'm disappointed that the series is over after six episodes! Admittedly I was less than enthusiastic about some of the episodes, because the some of the story lines didn't quite flow well, resulting in confusion on my part. But now that I know it's over, I'm gonna miss seeing it....unless the writers can somehow contrive to "erase" the ending. Remember how they erased an entire season of "Dallas" saying it was all a dream? Encore, encore...and bravo for this drama!