The Third Day (HBO/Sky) TV Show Review & Comments

Just looked at the trailers for Utopia looks a bit daft to me it's not another superpower crap thing is it?

Kelly, Cristobal and Munden's Utopia is up there with the most exhilarating, tense and memorable TV shows that I've seen, but despite the fact that I always recommend it to people who didn't catch it during its original Channel 4 run I can never tell whether they'll stick with it or not even if I have a rough idea of their tastes in film and TV shows.

They managed to strike a very unique and absurd tone that mixes comedy with some genuinely chilling ultraviolence and disturbing set-pieces. And Cristobal Tapia de Veer's score is easily the most original that I can think of for any TV series off the top of my head that isn't irritating or trying too hard to be wacky and different for the sake of it. Sometimes it is weird, sometimes chilling, sometimes cute and whimsical but it always seems to fit the scene or moment like a glove which was a great achievement given the whacked-out plot!

It's also a show that I've been able to watch over and over again and I enjoy listening to the score now and again as well. It's not perfect and ends on a cliffhanger, unfortunately, although I think it was already running the risk of becoming a parody of itself.

It also couldn't be more relevant and despite wanting to say more on that subject I'll leave it at that. Here's a clip from S2 Ep 6 that'll give you a taste of how unusual it can be without really spilling the beans or revealing too much about its main characters. It's tough to find a clip that doesn't spoil too much whilst showing off what's unique about the show but this one does a decent job of getting that across.

There's a scene in S1 that I still can't believe got past the censors. You'll know it as soon as you see it. Still manages to make my heart leap out of my chest mainly down to Neil Maskell's truly disturbing performance.

Edit - The season 2 opener is visually striking and reminds me of Antonioni's Red Desert in that regard.

Edit - I'm truly intrigued by Kelly's seeming infatuation with the Romani people and their culture! It's in his new show and was a critical part of Utopia's plot!