'Taken Down' series = The Fall ??

WinOrLearn BusFighter · 05-11-2018 1:49pm #1

It's very slow moving like The Fall, and it has the same kind of backing music.

And just like The Fall, the male characters are usually in reaction to the female characters. It desperately tries to show women in positions of authority. I could see where it was going immediately. It's okay that the two lead detectives are women, but do they really have to make so much of a point in constantly shoving that male police officer in the back seat as if he's being driven home from school. Just like in The Fall the patholgist was a woman. And it was women who stopped the fight from occurring between two grown men!!

But what really interests me, isn't the roles that they have the women play, and more so that any man in this show is portrayed as some sort of idiot. Take that guy who called the young girl a 'black bird', or that idiot of a police man getting the free food while on the job. Just like the Fall, I have no doubt that any man in it will be portrayed as a narcissist, a paedophile, a wife beater, a thief, insensitive, or just a downright idiot.

I'm just saying it's quite obvious what's going on. Am i the only one who noticed? I was glancing at an old Bond movie earlier in the morning yesterday and the difference between that and this really struck me.

circadian · 05-11-2018 1:50pm

*yawn*

KilOit · 05-11-2018 1:55pm

Didn't see it but least the state and deputy pathologist are women in real life so they got that right.

freshpopcorn · 05-11-2018 1:57pm

There gone big into this Direct Provision!

Ragnar Lothbrok · 05-11-2018 1:59pm

A series where women have the lead roles and are in positions of authority? Surely not.

Whatever next? Black people?

WinOrLearn BusFighter · 05-11-2018 2:02pm

Ragnar Lothbrok wrote: »

Whatever next? Black people?

But that would only work if they also portrayed any white people in the show as idiots.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 05-11-2018 2:05pm

WinOrLearn BusFighter wrote: »

But that would only work if they also portrayed any white people in the show as idiots.

Maybe many men are idiots.

WinOrLearn BusFighter · 05-11-2018 2:09pm

Trent Limited Pub wrote: »

Maybe many men are idiots.

Well if young men were to keep watching this, then they might eventually feel that this sort of behavior is expected of them.

05-11-2018 2:10pm

I've grown up watching movies and tv shows where every last person of authority was male, now that I think of it.

One tv show where women occupy those positions and this happens. Half the population are female, have a bit of perspective.

WinOrLearn BusFighter · 05-11-2018 2:13pm

Candie wrote: »

I've grown up watching movies and tv shows where every last person of authority was male, now that I think of it.

Well the difference is that those shows don't deliberately set out with an agenda to portray women as bumbling idiots!

Also, it's a fact of reality that there are more men in positions of authority, so those shows were most likely mirroring life.

The Davestator · 05-11-2018 2:15pm

Candie wrote: »

I've grown up watching movies and tv shows where every last person of authority was male, now that I think of it.

One tv show where women occupy those positions and this happens. Half the population are female, have a bit of perspective.

Didn't watch Cagney & Lacey then? You missed out!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083395/

05-11-2018 2:16pm

WinOrLearn BusFighter wrote: »

Well the difference is that those shows don't deliberately set out with an agenda to portray women as bumbling idiots!

Also, it's a fact of reality that there are more men in positions of authority, so those shows were most likely mirroring life.

No, there was no agenda but women were usually wives, bimbos or servants, full stop.

Times change, it's not all men in authority any more. Art reflects life, they say.

CrankyHaus · 05-11-2018 2:23pm

Why does anyone care about whatever rubbish RTE is showing now?

It's a dynastic racket of talentless dilettantes living off its long-gone glory years.

It's been on life-support for years. If the latest manifestation of its death throes is stale virtue-signalling wokeness then just keep not watching. Check out TG4 if you want an example of decent public-service broadcasting.

Eggs For Dinner · 05-11-2018 2:24pm

The Fall was gripping, this isn't. Not by a long shot. Forced myself to see out the 1st episode to give it a chance, but nah!

Eggs For Dinner · 05-11-2018 2:25pm

CrankyHaus wrote: »

Check out TG4 if you want an example of decent public-service broadcasting.

But it's all in foreign!

05-11-2018 2:29pm

Candie wrote: »

No, there was no agenda but women were usually wives, bimbos or servants, full stop.

Times change, it's not all men in authority any more. Art reflects life, they say.

Things are changing. When Judi Dench became M in the Bond films, it was art imitating life. MI6(the real one) had just gotten its first female chairperson.

In Ireland the state pathologist is a woman, Dr Marie Cassidy.

I suspect TV shows will over compensate for a while and then things will even out.

PlaneSpeeking · 05-11-2018 2:33pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Things are changing. When Judi Dench became M in the Bond films, it was art imitating life. MI6(the real one) had just gotten its first female chairperson.

In Ireland the state pathologist is a woman, Dr Marie Cassidy.

I suspect TV shows will over compensate for a while and then things will even out.

Last night's Dr Who with the pregnant man was (no pun intended!) pushing it a bit.

Yes we get it, childbirth is the hardest thing EVER and only women can do it. Yawn!

I agree, eventually we'll get to normal where people are just people but it is a bit ridiculous at the minute. Art imitating life eh ?

WinOrLearn BusFighter · 05-11-2018 2:34pm

CrankyHaus wrote: »

Why does anyone care about whatever rubbish RTE is showing now?

It's a dynastic racket of talentless dilettantes living off its long-gone glory years.

There'a a nice new word.

Billy Mays · 05-11-2018 4:41pm

Redneck Culchie wrote: »

This isn't a TV show, it's asylum seeker/feminist propaganda. Every tweet on the hashtag liberals virtue signalling about direct provision which they know nothing about, or others calling it out. Political propaganda.

You left out snowflake

AntiClimax · 05-11-2018 4:43pm

Trent Limited Pub wrote: »

Maybe many men are idiots.

Maybe not.

Can we not have more constructive arguements!

Chris_Heilong · 05-11-2018 4:47pm

Thanks OP, I will avoid it then. I hate this whole new move where they think in order to show a strong female they think they need to take the men down, same thing that happened with Star Wars killing off Luke so Rey can shine. Ignoring the fact that they are women and just write a good character is all that is needed.

RobertKK · 05-11-2018 4:48pm

It sounds like Peppa Pig for adults.

05-11-2018 4:49pm

It's a major advance for Irish filmmaking by all accounts..

munster87 · 05-11-2018 4:52pm

freshpopcorn wrote: »

There gone big into this Direct Provision!

What’s that?

AntiClimax · 05-11-2018 4:53pm

Deleted User wrote: »

It's a major advance for Irish filmmaking by all accounts..

Where did you hear that?

Ray Palmer · 05-11-2018 5:03pm

Candie wrote: »

I've grown up watching movies and tv shows where every last person of authority was male, now that I think of it.

One tv show where women occupy those positions and this happens. Half the population are female, have a bit of perspective.

Really?
How did you manage to avoid all the cop shows with female leads like Cagney and Lacy and the various Law and Orders?

Half the police workforce are female? Don't think that is true. The use of female leads and authority is less to do with reality and more to do with viewers

05-11-2018 5:56pm

AntiClimax wrote: »

Where did you hear that?

Irish Times..

WinOrLearn BusFighter · 05-11-2018 9:09pm

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Half the police workforce are female? Don't think that is true. The use of female leads and authority is less to do with reality and more to do with viewers

I doubt she'll be coming back to that!

bodhrandude · 05-11-2018 9:42pm

I can't believe that the blonde actress is the same one that played Aiden's girfriend Nadine in Love Hate, she was brilliant in that.

Pero_Bueno · 05-11-2018 9:44pm

More man hating PC nonsense, yes we get it establishment big corp media.

Men = bad
Orange man = ESPECIALLY BAD!!
Women = great can't do anything wrong (bonus points if Woman happens to have dark skin)
Christian = disgusting old fashioned pig
Muslim = beautiful peaceful perfect human being that just could never possibly do the same evil as a white man.

Stick it up yer arse!!

The Late Late Show · 12-11-2018 8:48pm

I have watched 2 episodes of 'Taken Down' and have found it slow and disappointing. I don't know what sort of a message this show is trying for but it most certainly ain't 'Love/Hate' #2 or an Irish answer to 'The Handmaid's Tale'. Jo Spain is no Margaret Atwood and I would guess Stuart Carolan has minimal impact into it. Once again, this is just another run of the mill RTE show and nothing special so far. I will give it a chance but something needs to happen next week. A good show like the 2 I mentioned to compare 'Taken Down' to will grab one's attention from the start. This does not.

The Late Late Show · 12-11-2018 10:18pm

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

Thanks OP, I will avoid it then. I hate this whole new move where they think in order to show a strong female they think they need to take the men down, same thing that happened with Star Wars killing off Luke so Rey can shine. Ignoring the fact that they are women and just write a good character is all that is needed.

The whole show is so far a disappointment. So far, there is no strong female or male character here. Only smart ass cops, stereotyped victims and idiots. Luke is an iconic character in 'Star Wars' and Rey is a good character too. Both are memorable and you remember their names. I cannot remember any name apart from Bankole in 'Taken Down' because they robbed that from one of the characters in 'The Handmaid's Tale' (which is how a TV show with proper strong female characters should be done) and Wayne because he is a clown.

What was the point of that ironing and cooking and eating biscuits parts of last night? Another fault is how literally dark it is. I mean dark as being all filmed in the dark nearly. 'Taken Down' looks like a hodge podge of ideas taken from whodunnits, 'The Handmaid's Tale', 'Love/Hate' and the news but nothing really seems to be coming into place so far.

skearnsot · 19-11-2018 1:42am

A pile of bleugh acting - mr Gleeson is the only decent actor in it. Deffo no love hate - it wouldn’t even patch its arse

SafeSurfer · 19-11-2018 3:52am

Candie wrote: »

I've grown up watching movies and tv shows where every last person of authority was male, now that I think of it.

One tv show where women occupy those positions and this happens. Half the population are female, have a bit of perspective.

And when you were young did this reflect reality? That is did men occupy almost every position of authority from Taoiseach to judge to doctor to local Garda sergeant?

Reality TV 30 years before Big Brother. Who would have thought.

namloc1980 · 19-11-2018 10:06am

Men are much more likely to be portrayed as eejits in media these days. There's an ad on the radio for some car insurance crowd with a man and a woman, and the man comes across as a weak moron.

The Late Late Show · 19-11-2018 3:42pm

skearnsot wrote: »

A pile of bleugh acting - mr Gleeson is the only decent actor in it. Deffo no love hate - it wouldn’t even patch its arse

Brian Gleeson is wasted 100% in the role of Wayne. Hughie in season one of Love/Hate shows us what he should be.

RTE drama is being treated like RTE music: sanitised beyond belief. Too much attention is being paid to those who cry 'torture porn' about the violent scenes of Love/Hate and The Handmaid's Tale. As said before, why should people watch crime and dystopian dramas if they do not want to see the horrors of those worlds? Taken Down like Rebellion and Clean Break before it are crime or dystopian dramas for nonfans of these genres! These are dramas for fans of Dancing With The Stars and Westlife!

namloc1980 wrote: »

Men are much more likely to be portrayed as eejits in media these days. There's an ad on the radio for some car insurance crowd with a man and a woman, and the man comes across as a weak moron.

Wayne and that male Garda are both portrayed as idiots in this series. There are no good characters period in this. All characters to suit the tame toned down nature of post-Love/Hate RTE drama.

The Late Late Show · 19-11-2018 7:54pm

Eggs For Dinner wrote: »

The Fall was gripping, this isn't. Not by a long shot. Forced myself to see out the 1st episode to give it a chance, but nah!

Taken Down is the opposite to gripping. Yet everything was in place for it to be good. Good writer, a good actor in Brian Gleeson and a good story. Yet, the production is the worst it could be.

Even if it were to pick up now in episodes 4, 5 and 6, it would be too little too late. 3 full episodes have been wasted on something that could be done in 10 minutes. Confusing anticlimactic sequences of events and characters who you do not end up caring about is what you have here.

Pythagorean · 19-11-2018 10:42pm

I wonder if the writers of this series have any actual experience of crime investigations, because it seems to me that the toxic, rancorous expletive laden interaction between the characters is most unrealistic. The scene where Inspector Cooney interacts with the sergeant, when she is looking for extra surveillance exemplifies this, at the end of the rancour he shouts "I'm going for a piss". Would this happen in real life?. The male characters are portrayed as weak, sleazy, foul mouthed morons, while the females are portrayed either as helpless victims or as aggressive, humourless ball busting feminazis,eg when the asylum centre manager emerges to meet the Inspector and her sidekick, (also female), they exclaim "I hate that arsehole". When the hapless manager addresses them as "Ban Gardaí", the sidekick says " Are ya ****in' stupid", and then the Inspector says with a po faced stare at him " You can call me Inspector". Love Hate was riveting, and you got really involved with the characters, and you could empathise with them. I have not found one redeeming feature so far in Taken down.

The Late Late Show · 19-11-2018 11:26pm

Pythagorean wrote: »

I wonder if the writers of this series have any actual experience of crime investigations, because it seems to me that the toxic, rancorous expletive laden interaction between the characters is most unrealistic. The scene where Inspector Cooney interacts with the sergeant, when she is looking for extra surveillance exemplifies this, at the end of the rancour he shouts "I'm going for a piss". Would this happen in real life?. The male characters are portrayed as weak, sleazy, foul mouthed morons, while the females are portrayed either as helpless victims or as aggressive, humourless ball busting feminazis,eg when the asylum centre manager emerges to meet the Inspector and her sidekick, (also female), they exclaim "I hate that arsehole". When the hapless manager addresses them as "Ban Gardaí", the sidekick says " Are ya ****in' stupid", and then the Inspector says with a po faced stare at him " You can call me Inspector". Love Hate was riveting, and you got really involved with the characters, and you could empathise with them. I have not found one redeeming feature so far in Taken down.

Me either. There is nothing redeeming in Taken Down so far. It is boring, dull, depressing, actionless, humourless and stale. The gardai are reminiscent of that solicitor Tara in Striking Out. I was expecting Taken Down to be like Love/Hate with a few nods to The Handmaid's Tale but instead it is more like a Garda version of Striking Out.

I get the feeling that RTE banned season 6 of Love/Hate and went down the road for tamer dramas. When Stuart Carolan wrote/co-wrote Taken Down, RTE took it and toned down 90% of it you can be sure. RTE do not want to produce something they will get a few complaints about it would seem. If made a few years ago, Taken Down would have been aweseome and would have been a violent thriller about an international criminal organisation enslaving refugee women. Sadly though it is more like Striking Out as that is the type of drama RTE produce now.

When RTE can't tell a story in an unrestrained manner, they should not bother at all. What Taken Down should have done is continue with the same Garda character from Love/Hate played by Brian F O'Byrne. It would be a Love/Hate spinoff and about gangland involved in people smuggling. There was plenty scope for a Love/Hate spinoff but RTE as usual did not see this. Brian's Garda character is way superior to the clowns in Taken Down.

The topic of direct provision, refugees and the abuse of asylum seekers by gangsters is very interesting. Taken Down neither gives us a good knowledge of this world nor tells us a good story so far. It is just typical RTE half baked drama.

The big mistake is RTE's producers are turning Taken Down into an Amy Huberman-style TV version of chick lit. We are lucky Love/Hate was made before that mentality set in. It is a disgrace RTE are turning everything into bloody chick lit to cater for Amy Huberman and all the wannabe Amys.

older i get better i was · 20-11-2018 7:33pm

Very decent so far, but spare me Don wycherly

'Taken Down' series = The Fall ??

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