MovieChat Forums > Shetland (2013) Discussion > Is series 3 a 6 parter?

Is series 3 a 6 parter?

posted 9 years ago by markwthompson
29 replies | jump to latest

Is series 3 a 6 parter? i.e. the story concludes in part 6?

I'm enjoying it, I just thought there might be more than one story in the series?

[–] mmurray57 9 years ago

It's six parts and one story. At least that is the claim on wikipedia.

[–] markwthompson 9 years ago

Ok ta.

I'll make myself comfortable .. and be patient.

(I'm enjoying it so far anyway)

[–] sluggr-2 9 years ago

Is there any way to be comfortable after ep 3? I made the mistake of watching it before bedtime and the bar confrontation was a disturbing part of my dreams last night. Made the bar scene in season 2 of Fargo look like a social call.

I think my percentage of Chimp DNA is higher than others. Cleaver Greene

[–] caviar1234 9 years ago

The transmission dates for Episodes 5 and 6 are still unconfirmed. It seems we'll have to wait two or three weeks after Episode 4.

[–] lilactime2014 9 years ago

This is how good series get killed.

They dick about with the broadcast dates, (sometimes days and times too) then they say viewing figures are down.....that's because nobody knows when it's on you morons! This is a great program, this is a fantastic start to the third series. Stop messing about with it and give it a chance. We've already had a two week delay between eps. 2 & 3...NO MORE PLEASE.

'tler

[–] beja-4 9 years ago

Hold out, too bad that BBC is messing with the dates. It's such a great series, and the province of Shetland is bleak, but at the same time incredibly beautiful, the views are stunning. And the accent...

And I really love Henshall's Perez, likewise O'Donnell's Tosh. There's a subtlety in their acting, especially in Henshall's. The storyline is also fascinating and at the same time cruel, and the series just gets better and better with each episode.

I saw episode 5 on Friday here in Sweden, and it's a really good one. The plot thickens, in an almost literally way. I wish I could say that it's possible to watch it on SVT Play in the UK, but due to restrictions, (I checked) it's not.

The one who waits for something good... you know. And it is worth waiting.

[–] Deej551 9 years ago

Looks like Part 5 is February 19th and then there is a skipped week with the 6th and final episode being March 4th.

[–] lilactime2014 9 years ago

This 3rd series of Shetland has been the best UK TV Drama since the first series of Broadchurch. I am spitting that I have to wait for Episodes 05 and 06.

I have my theory how it all happened, the altercation on the ferry, the old guy, the tattoos etc. but it will be intriguing to find that all out. Well done to the writers and cast and crew. Utterly Brilliant.

'tler

[–] caviar1234 9 years ago

Well, at least it's only a two week gap.

[–] sluggr-2 9 years ago

Maybe they can show Shetland in the place of Happy Valley while they fix the audio track. :(

I think my percentage of Chimp DNA is higher than others. Cleaver Greene

[–] lilactime2014 9 years ago

Thank God for Tivo and a great deal of Patience. Actually Shetland isn't too bad for us, Happy Valley needs subtitles.

I am not sure if it our age or what but barely a programme goes by when one of us (52 and 49) completely misses a string of sentences. Roger Allam in Endeavour has given us frequent problems.

'tler

[–] lilactime2014 9 years ago

Just finished ep.05 and I have to say this is utterly brilliant. The best thing on TV since Foyle's War, which I didn't se on TV but that is by-the-by. Alison O'Donnell is terrific and the scene with Billy McBride was heart-breaking. We were dabbing tears at the sight of his back in the chair because we knew how he felt. What a stunning story and what stunning performances. If you are watching BBC / ITV productions* then more please. This is the best thing on TV in ages.

*Although it is shown on the BBC it is an ITV production in case anyone was wondering.

'tler

[–] Lady_Imrahil 9 years ago

Anyone else finding this new format not as good as the old Shetland? I preferred Series 1 and 2 where each crime was solved within two episodes. Six episodes for one crime - or related crimes - makes it all just a bit too slow I'm finding. Maybe if we hadn't had the other format for Seasons 1 and 2 it might of been okay, like with Unforgotten or River I didn't have a problem with them, but somehow with Shetland I feel like it was better the other way. Sigh. Still LOVE the show however.

Also I'm not sure whether this one is based on one of the books or not? I think all the previous episodes were based on Ann Cleeves Shetland books, or at least, the episodes had the same names as some of her books, even though the plots may have been changed a bit. I've read all of her Shetland books so far, and this plot does not seem familiar. But my memory is not what it was so....

Cheers,
Lady Imrahil

[–] !!!deleted!!! (41638798) 9 years ago

Well, not sure how I feel yet about the 2-parter versus a 6-part novelistic approach.

Pros and cons for each. Finally came down on the side that after such a very, very long wait, any "Shetland" in any format is better than no "Shetland" at all.

Also, they managed to get the magnificent Ciaran Hinds for this one. And other name guests. So....

But whoever in programming at the BBC decided a slow-burn 6-parter of quality should be interrupted and not shown for one week in the middle of it in favor of some footie airing should be drawn and quartered in the BBC tea room.

Selfridge, Shetland and Stan Lee's Lucky Man have suddenly joined this Friday-night drama programming trend, instead of the old tried and true Thursdays and/or Mon-Wed nights.

And this has lent those shows to be victims of the Friday-Saturday night naff footie and reality interruptions. It seems there was always a very valid reason for dramas to be on Thursdays. Or earlier in the week like Silent Witness doing back to backs on Mon-Tues.

Fridays and Saturdays were always the venue for mindless reality drivel, footie and snooker! LOL

You wait and wait and wait for another Shetland...and then they don't even schedule it at a time and on a night when it can be shown for 6 weeks straight?

What the...................?

Have come to the conclusion that all the binge watching opportunities out there for great, good quality series have dulled my appetite to check in one hour per week for a tidbit and a tiny bite of filet mignon before they cut me off again for 7 full days (and this case 14 days at one time).

So it's probably my viewing practices these days, being spoiled rotten by Netflix, Amazon and Acorn, that have jaded my view of the 6-parter novelist approach.

For this reason, I've begun saving entire series until they nearly finish. "Happy Valley" being one such series.

[–] lilactime2014 9 years ago

The interesting for me thing is, and parade alludes to it below. The binge watching has taken over the enjoyment of 6 or 10 weeks viewing. I am loving the story arc of this series but totally agree it would have been even better if I had ignored it's transmission and then watched it until 2.00am on Saturday night in March. Funny you should mention Happy Valley, I am managing to ignore the current series and have series 1 safely stored away and will watch the whole lot back to back.

The two week gap between the final two episodes will be really painful. The longer arc has given this program the chance to breath. I really feel I know Tosh and Sandy better as their back stories have had some screen time. So it is swings and roundabouts. A better story (for me anyway) strung out over 7 broadcast weeks (in the UK) for 6 episodes is not ideal. Sweden already know, apparently, what has happened.

'tler

[–] beja-4 9 years ago

It's clearly a result of that everything is on speed these days, and I think it's sad. Not 14 days of course, that's definitely annoying. There're pros and cons of course, but it just means that you've got an opening, an intermission, and a resolution and in the end you know nothing about the characters. There'll be no background story and that is what many times is the most interesting. I mean, we see murder cases in series much like on a conveyor belt these days, but seldom get to know the characters. We shrug our shoulders and move on, because they haven't touched us. Compare CSI:wherever in the US to Morse, for example.

I thought the same when I watched Bron/Broen (2011) and I thought; damn! 10 episodes means 10 weeks, it's way too long time to wait for the resolution of the case. Turned out, it wasn't, and the series is a huge success. What it meant was that you got a parallel story about the characters and their private life that was at least as interesting, but which also did the murder investigation more interesting. Same goes for Shetland, I really liked that it was given enough space to get to know the characters.

I saw the last episode last night and there's no disappointment. And without spoiling anything, there are quite some twists and turns before the case is solved. It’s a great ending of a brilliant series. Love the whole cast, especially O'Donell and Henshall with whom I might have a mild crush on, ha.

[–] sluggr-2 9 years ago

About 15 min after watching ep 5 last night it suddenly clicked what was happening. Then comes the "oh crappola it was obvious from the beginning" realization. Good writers will use a false assumption/expectation at the get-go to get the viewers going down the wrong path, sort of like how American Crime used a female voice to report what turns out to be a male rape.

In a way this is reminding me of Cracker as to how the story and the characters unfold. The only part of this season I haven't cared for is the "forced" relationship between Jimmy and the witness protection woman. It is like they needed to have a love interest as part of some formula to ensure the maximum amount of viewers.

I think my percentage of Chimp DNA is higher than others. Cleaver Greene

[–] beja-4 9 years ago

About 15 min after watching ep 5 last night it suddenly clicked what was happening. Then comes the "oh crappola it was obvious from the beginning" realization. Good writers will use a false assumption/expectation at the get-go to get the viewers going down the wrong path, sort of like how American Crime used a female voice to report what turns out to be a male rape.

😊 I believe that's how long time it took for me too, to think the exact same things you did, when watching episode 5. And I'm still not sure if I liked it (thinking, oh I'm smart) or not, more as you put it "oh crappola". But the thing is, without spoiling anything, the writers of this series know their red heerings ;)

I haven't seen Cracker, but I'm intrigued, just read Wiki's; "In many later episodes, in fact, the crimes often became background to intense, provocative explorations of the police officers' reactions to the crimes they investigated" and that's something that certainly could be applied on Shetland as well, I completely agree.

Just like you, I also thought the "love story" between Asha and Perez felt forced and honestly quite unnecessary, as some attraction device. And I really can't say much, but it's... Well, you just have to endure these two weeks... ;)

[–] !!!deleted!!! (41638798) 9 years ago

Run, do not walk, to find "Cracker."

One of the greats. Who can forget Robbie Coltrane's alcoholic, gambling, chain smoking, weight-challenged profiler with a heart and an outsized brain?

Were I challenged to name one of the top 10 tv stories of all time: The 3-parter "To Be a Somebody" with Robert Carlyle makes it.

Unforgettable. Legendary. It haunts me even today.

[–] sluggr-2 9 years ago

"To be a somebody" is in my top 5. Others would be SportsNight's "Eli's Coming" and Breaking Bad's "Half Measures."

I think my percentage of Chimp DNA is higher than others. Cleaver Greene

[–] lilactime2014 9 years ago

L-I-V E-R-P Double O - L Liverpool FC

Chilling stuff from Hamish Macbeth (which I am watching right now between the Cricket around the world.

I can't always tell straight away what will stick in the mind. Unless it is Sam Tyler's visit to Camberwick Green. But this series of Shetland has already made more impact on me than most, hopefully the end will not be a typical UK Drama let down. Rushed and non-sensical. How many have I seen that are thoroughly let down by the last 20 minutes. Endeavour's Tiger springs immediately to mind.

'tler

[–] beja-4 9 years ago

Haha, okay okay, I'm running... Robbie Coltrane is already a favourite so I would be stupid to miss out on this one - a man with a heart and an outsized brain...!

And Robert Carlyle, another favourite. I will definitely check him up as Albie Kinsella. Thanks for the tip! :)

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] beja-4 9 years ago

 What are you doing here? I was on my way for coffee and to take a look at the Prom baord... and then you popped up!

Yes, I do remember your stint as Fitz, of course. Ah, so that stems from Cracker, well then I have to see it even more, sounds like a really good one. I might order it tonight...

But who the heck are you now, "Me Am Immanuel"?  Weirdo there...! I'll pop in later!

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sluggr-2 9 years ago

Do start Cracker from the beginning. I believe "To be a Someone" was the third story, and you really need to have the characters as established entities to fully appreciate it. To me Cracker will also be remembered as the first truly historical Hollyweird remake fail.

I think my percentage of Chimp DNA is higher than others. Cleaver Greene

[–] beja-4 9 years ago

To me Cracker will also be remembered as the first truly historical Hollyweird remake fail.

Haha, I didn't know that, but oh I like the sound of that...! 🍻

I will start at the beginning, there's really no other way to go to fully appreciate it, I agree. I think I have to order it tonight ;) Thanks for the tip!

[–] Like_Oh_Sure 9 years ago

Can I call you Panhandle? 

It's not all good by any stretch, you're my handler 

https://bitly.com/CueTheMusic

[–] !!!deleted!!! (41638798) 9 years ago

Do start Cracker from the beginning. I believe "To be a Someone" was the third story, and you really need to have the characters as established entities to fully appreciate it.

So true.

With some shows you can start anywhere.

But the introduction and development of Fitz is key--because it seemed that while the plots and drama were top rate--it's really Fitz's story isn't it?

So it needs really to begin with Fitz and being introduced to him in all his dysfunctional glory.

As an aside, I also enjoy watching in "Cracker" a Manchester before the so-called great renaissance. Catching little tidbits are fun--like his wife working in her job on the Salford redevelopment project! We can be assured Mrs. Fitz was personally responsible for The Lowry? haha

All of those stunning interrogation scenes Fitz conducts (which, in any other hands than Coltrane would have been so OTT as not to be tolerated) still stick in my mind every time a drama has one, and all others seem to come up lacking.

They were the pinnacle! :-))