This show is: Not Rated
This is a British television show that gives a modern day twist to the Jekyll and Hyde story. Steven Moffat wrote all of the episodes. He is a fabulous writer and has also written for Doctor Who and Coupling (the British version). Steven is great at mixing dark and disturbing with the truly funny and making it work together cohesively. Combining that with excellent acting makes this series a real standout.
After Dr. Tom Jackman finds himself waking up in strange locations, he decides to lock himself in a room and videotape what happens. Low and behold he discovers his alter ego, Mr. Hyde. He distances himself from his wife (Claire), his twin boys and his place of employment. Katherine is hired to be his personal assistant to help manage both sides of his life. Needless to say things get very interesting.
James Nesbitt plays Dr. Tom Jackman/Mr. Hyde. I have got to tell you, he his absolutely amazing. There are very few physical differences between the two characters. Which means it is up to James to portray them in a manner that makes it obvious that they are two different people (albeit sharing the same body). He does an incredible job. His body postures, movements, mannerisms, speech patterns, and energy levels are very different for each of them. It’s such fun to watch him change back and forth between the two.
Communicating through the use of technology (video cameras and digital audio recorders) and their personal assistant, Dr. Jackman and Mr. Hyde have come up with an arrangement on how they can co-exist. There are rules they must both follow and consequences (some of them are quite dire) if they aren’t. In addition to scheduling their time, part of Katherine’s job is to serve as a mediator between the two.
As if things weren’t complicated enough, Dr. Jackman’s estranged wife doesn’t understand why he left her and the kids and tries to find answers. A mysterious black van seems to be following him. Mr. Hyde suddenly starts making unscheduled appearances and often at inconvenient times. The established rules seem to be getting bent further and further. With Mr. Hyde’s unpredictable personality who knows what could happen next.
I guess I would consider this show a mix of thriller, conspiracy, horror, drama and dark comedy. It’s one of those shows where it’s hard to take a break at the end of an episode because you can’t wait to find out what happens next. I had no previously knowledge of this show and just bought it on a whim, it turned out to be a great gamble.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Dr. Tom Jackman – “Anything else I should tell you?”
Katherine – “Do you ever smile?”
Dr. Tom Jackman – “Let me know.”
Dr. Tom Jackman – “Just once, seriously, just bloody once could you tell me where you parked!”
Mr. Hyde – “Afterwards, once you’re done, I’ll break your neck.”
Billy – “You’ll what?”
Mr. Hyde – “Trust me the neck’s good. Quick for you, easy for me, everybody’s happy.”
Mr. Hyde – “I’m wondering about that wee window up there and if you’d fit through it at high speed.”
Mr. Hyde – “Is he doing you?”
Katherine – “No.”
Mr. Hyde – “Can I?”
Katherine – “No.”
Mr. Hyde – “Then what are you for?”
Katherine – “I’m your new nanny.”
Mr. Hyde – “Ooo Mary Poppins! I love Mary Poppins! I could eat Mary Poppins!”
Mr. Hyde – “As long as the lights and cameras are on you’re safe. Lights out, you’re dinner.”
Dr. Tom Jackman – “You go to the gents. You come back. You’re a changed man. We’ve all been there. Happen to know where I parked?”
Katherine – “How was your driving?”
Dr. Tom Jackman – “Expressive.”
Mr. Hyde – “You nervous Benjamin?
Benjamin – “Not nervous, no, no, I’m just a little lion aware.”
Nurse at hospital – “What’s that?”
Mr. Hyde – “Well it’s entirely up to you of course, but I’d say the front of the queue.”
Dr. Tom Jackman – “Mr. Sexy Pants can hear you. We’re doing double shifts, he’s awake.”
Jan
Following is additional information about the show that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
Although all of the episodes were wonderful, I would have to say my favorite would have to be the episode with the lions. The fact that the “bad guys” would put a child in mortal danger as part of an experiment was just frightening. It also shows that they don’t really have any morals or value anything except their own personal interests (which makes them extremely dangerous). Having Mr. Hyde kill the one lion and control the others to protect the child was an interesting turn of events. He did it because the kid was important to Dr. Jackman. We also got a look at what kind of violence Mr. Hyde is capable of.
I love how when Claire finds out about her husband’s “problem” and first meets Mr. Hyde one of her main concerns is how many people he has had sex with. Then her next concern was whether he had “safe sex”. Now I know that this is important, but I don’t think this would be my first concern when I find myself locked in a basement with a potentially homicidal maniac.
The two women detectives were great. They were strong women who could be depended on to take charge of a situation and to help out when needed. Plus the character of Min was just a lot of fun and added some levity to some very dark situations.
