Houdini and Doyle

Honestly, this show is not supposed to make sense. It's suppose to entertain the view, and that's exactly what it does. Houdini and Doyle, send a time before ours, is really a great show. It's great entertainment for the family. I love the suspense, and their mysteries with a paranormal slant. I like American Houdini paired with proper Doyle. I admit that I do hid behind a cushion from time to time, so there is sufficient thrills. I like that is all wraps up in a hour. I also love how all the characters seem to know each other, that Houdini knows great inventors in America, and Doyle knows famous authors in England. I like that both men are likable. It's not a pretentious show. I feel that it can last as long as Murdoch mysteries, if done right. So far, great first season.

This reminds me of Ioan Gruffudd's Forever (2014-15), an edgy, yet cozy, murder mystery story that has likable performers, and is filled with anachronisms and good taste in clothing. (Except Conan Doyle's suits, which get louder as the series goes on, a possible sign of growing confidence in the characterization of the character.)

The hook is that Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have partnered to solve murders that have some connection to the supernatural and/or spiritual. It's set in the wrong time period for Houdini and Doyle to have been associated. A choice was made to make it Edwardian rather than in the more accurate 1920s. They use modern language and the modern music is intentionally unsettling. The series relies heavily on the old theater maxim of "a willing suspension of disbelief."

And it's highly entertaining. The actors are personable and talented. It's definitely an ensemble cast that works well together. The sets and costumes are well done (suitable for the time period),and highly detailed.

The story line doesn't explore any real substantial questions of politics, culture, war, or social values...yet. It's enjoyable, mindless entertainment, excellently done, with great potential for more robust story lines. Although the episodes might not have been filmed in the release-date order, the staging, story, and characters appeared to mature as the first season progressed.

But there is one travesty: They do a disservice to a good actor, and to women everywhere, by not giving their excellent female star better billing.

The best way to describe this series is X-files meets Downton Abbey. Personally, I'm a fan of stories that mix history in fiction, so perhaps I'm bias in its favor, but there are several aspects of this series which are successful.

The show's premise is actually fairly straight forward. The characters of Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle team up with a plucky female detective from Scotland Yard in order to solve a series of cases. Naturally, each of mysteries have what appear to be some element of the supernatural. Most of the stories also touch on the personal struggles of the two leads, so watching from the beginning will enhance your ability to to follow and enjoy each episodes.

What really makes this series are the actors. In addition to having really talented leads, the cast is strong overall. Perhaps it's just me, but I am sick to death of reality TV and hackneyed sit-coms. Consequently, getting to watch actors who actually know how to act is, for me, more valuable than ever.

Another thing that makes this very enjoyable to watch is its visual appeal. The costumes and set designs are very well done and, even if not always historically accurate, evocative of a romantic and bygone era.

The stories themselves are fast-paced and fairly intricate by today's standards. They also blend fantasy and reality in a way that's pretty darn appealing.

Although billed as a mini-series, if this show doesn't get a second run it will be a shame. It's charming, beautiful, and very watchable.

The drama opens in 1901 London , shortly after the publication of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Great Boer War . At the turn of the 20th century the Metropolitan Police were overwhelmed with bizarre cases so they turned to outsiders including Houdini and Doyle , who collaborated with New Scotland Yard on some unsolved and inexplicable crimes . Then the world-famous magician Harry Houdini (Michael Weston) and a legendary detective writer Arthur Conan Doyle (Stephen Mangan) join forces to carry out a fundamental mission : Catching killers , a main issue that is elementary to them . Houdini and Doyle become involved in the investigation of several mysterious deaths . Along the way they are supported by an intelligent female cop , Adelaide Stratton (Rebecca Liddiard) , Scotland Yard's first woman constable . As they investigate several cases , such as : The death of a murdered nun at a convent ; as protagonists get involved when a boy claims he is the reincarnation of a man whom he says Belworth murdered ; as they find out an issue about a faith healer who appears to have a great power when a heckler drops dead at one of the healer's public sessions ; the death of a motorcar entrepreneur that is initially attributed to a mysterious dark demon ; when the housemaid of Doyle's old friend Bram Stoker is murdered with a stake through the heart , suspicions arise that Stoker may either be the killer or a vampire ; when the duo confronting a travelling medium who uses her powers to help the local police find a missing girl ; when they find a murderous poltergeist in Canada, encountering Thomas Edison and when a young man wakes up naked in a burned out circle claiming that his wife was kidnapped by aliens . And , finally , the trio investigate a small town where almost everyone died simultaneously with no visible cause.

Exciting and charming series formed by 10 episodes , one season , it premiered on ITV in the United Kingdom March 2016 and in which Houdini/Michael Weston and Doyle/Stephen Mangan form a sympathetic and attractive couple . It is in fact true that Arthur Conan Doyle was friend for some time with Harry Houdini . In fact they attempted to discover fakes , false mediums , frauds Spiritualist psychics , scheming clairvoyants and Houdini was really convinced that Spiritualist mediums employed trickery . Although Arthur Conan became convinced that Houdini himself has supernatural powers , but Harry was apparently unable to convince Doyle that his feats were simply illusions , leading to a bitter public falling out between the two . The series relies on the different , opposite characters , as Harry Houdini is a rational skeptic and atheist whereas Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle is a believer in the paranormal and supernatural . They argue over whether the causes are natural or supernatural , and often bet on the cause , which causes their police liaison , Constable Adelaide Stratton/Rebecca Liddiard , some embarrassment and angry . Furthermore , in the series appears a lot of notorious secondary players , such as : Tim McInnerny , Diana Quick , Nathan Stewart , Laura Fraser , Ewen Bremmer as Sherlock Holmes , Louise Delamere : real-life wife to Stephen Mangan , and Paul Ritter as Bram Stoker and James Flett as Doyle's father , among others. The series was well set and shot on stages at The Space Project in Manchester . The series originally created by David Hoselton and David N. Titcher was well directed by Stephen Hopkins , Robert Lieberman , Jeff Renfroe , Edward Bazalgette and Daniel O'Hara .

If you watch this show, don't think too much into it. Yes, it's been done before. Yes, it's basically just ripping off the real Houdini and Doyle.

BUT it's cute and quirky. I happened to start watching it because there was nothing better on TV, and I'm glad I did. The script is pretty good. The dialogue is a little too modern, I think, but come on, it's a detective show with Houdini. Can't expect it to be accurate.

What it is is fun. So neat to watch a reimagining of the time period. And there is a great deal of chemistry between the actors. I felt immersed in the story. Would definitely recommend if you want to have a laugh and appreciate imaginative story lines.