Bluestone 42

I've been looking forward to watching series 2 since the last series ended. Two episodes in, and the show gets better and better.

The latest episode had several laugh out loud moments which is very rare with TV comedy's today. Everything is perfect from the main theme tune, location, gear and equipment - someone in the know helped put this show together. Those of us that have spent time in HM Forces will recognise all the characters - and the banter, which is very realistically portrayed.

Already hoping that there'll be a series 3, however with the news that BBC Three is on the way out, and will become an online channel, I really hope that the BBC find some space on BBC2 or even a late slot on BBC1.

Bluestone 42 captures the modern British Army in every way, the black humour, profanity, wind-ups, and day-to-day life is all spot-on.

Apart from the slightly less than realistic scenery, I can't fault Bluestone 42 - the production team have clearly done their homework pretty well and have listened to their technical advisers. There have been very few technical glitches and overall the production is very convincing.

The humour is superb, each of the four episodes so far has been equally gripping and entertaining and results in a show which I'm sure will be loved by the soldiers it portrays so well. There is so much bad comedy these days, thank goodness Bluestone 42 delivers.

I don't know if Chopendoz has even watched the same Bluestone 42 as me as his review is so far off of the mark.

Please ... ... please ... ... please BBC, commission series 2 ASAP.

Bluestone 42 is superb!

Update 24/44/2013:

It was announced at the end of Episode 8 on 23/4/2013 that a second series has been commissioned, excellent news.

Love this. Great characters, good mix of serious danger and good dry humour. It's exactly as I'd expect our troops to behave. None of the idiotic US approach: "I'm going in, cover me" and then shoot / bomb some allies.

Sorry Yanks, you have the worst record for "friendly fire" on the planet. "It's moving, I'll nuke it!!!" Quote from US pilot.

The portrayal (Hard word to spell) of Brit troops trying to alleviate the boredom between extreme pressure is handled with good humour. The added sexual tension (albeit one sided) helps to make this a very enjoyable series. It's good fun

Simply the best BBC comedy in the modern era.

I have never served in the military, but respect those that have, and I do not understand the comments about about this not being for those without a service record.

The ability to draw humour from seemingly tragic stories without resorting to comic book violence is all too rare nowadays. The writing and acting was superb, bouncing from slapstick to deep pathos with aplomb.

And from other reviews, the fact that it was so realistic represents another stunning accolade.

I don't think it ever progressed to BBC 1 did it ? Astonishing when you compare it to the majority of BBC's other output. Perhaps because the viewer was required to actually think rather than be told what to think.

The Sunday Times television critic, A A Gill, likened Bluestone 42 with that of a former BBC, military situation comedy programme, It Ain't Half Hot Mum. If A A Gill thinks that Bluestone 42 is almost "like a remake of "Ain't Half Hot Mum, then I would have to say that he is an idiot, the only thing the two programmes have in common is that they are comedies about members of the armed forces.

The casting ensures sufficient eye candy for both sexes, the South African locations are passable as Afghanistan. The comedy realistically highlights the spirit of the armed forces. It does contain "very" strong language but that and the gallows humour is a true representation of likely banter by those in such front line roles. This is a strong comedy drama deserves a much greater following.