The Field of Blood

In the first series (2 episodes), as an entertainment I found the offensive language and misogynous attitude towards the lead character gratuitous and unnecessary.

Realising the error of their ways there was a complete change in David Morrisey's character for the second series of 2, but the damage was done.

Overall it was largely uninteresting and the female lead's character wish of being a proper journalist, not like "them" in in the press room (the males, that is), did not come to fruition as she was as bad as them in the end. Nothing gets in the way of a story and the lengths one will go to to get it.

This is a good movie, with a well acting female lead as the newspaper copy-girl Patricia who dreams of becoming a reporter and stumbles upon clues on a child murder in the area. However it is not great, and the thick Glasgow accent of all involved makes it even less accessible to non English audiences.

I don't know why they called it a series, either, as it is really a two parter film. Maybe they intended to continue it with the adventures of this tiny girl in this tiny community of uber-Catholic tiny minded people, but what would have been the point?

Bottom line: a nice watch, with convincing acting and script, some thrills and a true glimpse of Glasgow in the 70-80's. Subtitles don't hurt, either. Peter Capaldi plays in this one, as a secondary character.

Lead actress put in a fine effort, despite a crap script.

David Morrissey never could act and Katherine Kelly playing the new editor is a cliche. She should try soap operas.. Her overacting along with the obviously male writing team shocker of a script insults all working women.

Even in the early 80's the blokes weren't all uniformly horny, dimwitted and misogynist & senior women didn't pout and posture trying to look menacing & looking like a parody & young female reporters weren't ready to screw everything walking no matter how ambitious they were.

Shocking use of some great actors, the mother played by expended wonderful Branagh Gallagher a cardboard cutout, the supporting actors had far more gravitas and talent than Morrissey and Kelly.

No wonder Jonas Armstrong got out of it after two episodes.

Hope the lead actress got a better series and script after this mess.

Not many problems with Season 1, other than the male co-workers calling an obviously smart, fit and gorgeous young woman fat ugly and stupid. There was no preaching and no unecessary PC additions that always crop up in these dramas. The plot was dark, tragic and horrible. Acting was superb and the story unfolded in a timely and believable manner. 9 for Season 1. Five for Season 2, because sadly Season 2 didn't come close to sustaining this. The writers got in way over their heads with plot, involving government agencies and trade unions. Fell flat and didn't fly at all. Characters doing things so incredible stupid nobody would swallow their actions. Throw in some man bashing/hating and a main character revealing his preference for men and you have a typically cliche European drama. Still a solid offering and extremely watchable.

The second series of The Field of Blood returns to Glasgow and again blends politics, intrigue and the changing newspaper industry.

Once again we follow novice female reporter Paddy Meehan as she tries to make a career for herself. She is working the night shift on the call car with a tough reporter and she is soon following up a murder mystery.

The main backdrop is the Miners strike and the dirty tricks campaign against it.

However, we are also looking at new, tougher executives entering the newspaper industry, less principled and happy to do the dirty work for the government in a propaganda war.

There is no doubt the story takes place with the benefit of hindsight. With or without media help, the Miners strike was very unpopular in some quarters and most media outlets were very happy to be negative against the Miners Union with very little persuasion.

There is an element of looking back with rose tinted spectacles. It is a decent enough second series, we see Paddy's ongoing difficult relationship with her parents but nothing too special.