
We asked for your comments on Waking The Dead, you said:
"I enjoyed the fact we knew who the killer was. The story helped us to work out why he did it and how he did it."
|
"After approaching this series with apprehension (after all, Frankie was my favourite character), I'm glad to say that its high standards have successfully been maintained.
I particularly liked the sense of parental responsibility, or lack thereof, in Hunt's father and mother. We also saw the responsibility Boyd felt towards the unfortunate swimming victim and the dead reporter. This tied nicely with the recurring sense of guilt he carries over Mel's untimely death.
I enjoyed the fact the format was played with. We knew who the killer was, and the story helped us to work out why he did it and how he did it, rather than just being a traditional whodunit."
Nicola, Dumfries, Scotland

"This particular story was ruined as the killer was revealed within the first 15 minutes."
|
"I've been a huge fan of Waking the Dead since it started and have never missed an episode. But I'm finding the new series difficult to enjoy. This particular story was ruined for me as the killer was revealed within the first 15 minutes of the first episode. The rest was delivered in true 'Columbo* style', spending the whole time on how they managed to get their man. The attraction of Waking the Dead has, for me, always been the edge of the seat guessing game as to who the killers/next victims may be. This story had no mystery, no tension, and no interest."
Joan, Newcastle upon Tyne

"Fantastic drama once again, the stories continue to evoke real emotion and tension. The cast is doing a splendid job of doing the script justice. I'm hooked. Nothing comes in the way of my weekly helping of Sue Johnston's enthralling displays, accompanied by Trevor Eve's superb performances. The show is the pinnacle of the BBC's productions at the moment."
Andy Congdon, Langley

"Trevor Eve's acting and his character's lunacy has finally driven me over the edge. I can't watch any more."
Gillian, London

"Not only has the acting and characterisation been excellent throughout this series, we have seen a development in the potential relationship between Grace and Boyd, hopefully to be further explored in the future.
I've seen criticism of the two new actresses. While I have some sympathy with the remarks, it is clear to me that their characters will need time. Also, the stories have become very dark and taut. Perhaps too much so, but better than some weak dross served up elsewhere.
Please could the writers take some of the opportunities of the last two open endings to explore the "what happens next..." scenarios. I for one watch Waking The Dead not only for the characters and content but for the rich possibilities of the Cold Case story concepts, and the relationships of psychology and forensic science."
Phil Fisher, Newcastle upon Tyne

"Trevor Eve is incredible - volatile, tender - even humorous at times."
|
"Waking The Dead is by far the best programme on TV in many years. I can't miss an episode. Trevor Eve is incredible - volatile, tender - even humorous at times, while Sue Johnston also puts in a great performance. After losing two members of the team, at the end of the last series, I didn't think it would be as good. But it's even better with the new team members."
Anita, Surrey

"After the wonderful Straw Dog story, this felt somewhat lacking. The ending was disappointing and a few more plot twists would have made it more interesting. Stella's plan to meet the killer looked like a promising development, only to fall flat when he went to meet the reporter instead. The inclusion of a red herring victim was a nice touch, but seemed to be the only genuine twist in an otherwise rather uninteresting storyline.
I'm also concerned about the degeneration of Boyd's character and his increasing habit of assaulting his suspects. It's surely only a matter of time before he gets fired for his unprofessional behaviour. Can't he tone it down a bit? It would also be nice to see Spencer returning to his old self; all he seems to do in this series is sulk."
Amy Ross, Nairnshire

"Boyd's violence is making an otherwise excellent series unbelievable. Why don't any of his victims make a complaint about him? If they did, he'd be taken off the case. And how his colleagues carry on working with him without complaining about his violence is beyond me too. He doesn't do anything except shout at people to do the impossible. It's everyone else who does the hard work and find the killers."
Tom, Leicestershire

"Being a real life police officer I find the series interesting, though sometimes flawed in its investigation skills. The one thing I do dislike though is Boyd's loss of control and bullying antics with his team. If he acted just angry, without the physical assaults on possible perpetrators, it would make this even more believable."
Pete J, Hants

"It's hard to see how a policeman like him has not been kicked out of the force."
|
"I can't believe the BBC can turn out such rubbish. They could do with looking at a good drama such as CSI on Five*. No over-the-top acting like Trevor Eve as Boyd. It's hard to see how a policeman like him has not been kicked out of the force. Has he no superior officer? What a disappointment this series has been, the BBC must do better than these long drawn out episodes."
Chris McQuillen, Snodland, Kent

"Boyd has got to be the worst copper ever, he assaults suspects, leaks confidential information to the press, verbally abuses colleagues, tampers with evidence, accepts kick backs, and is arrogant and egocentric. No wonder he's confined to the ill-lit basement. I'm surprised they ever let him out."
A Galvin, Worcester

"Nicely written on the whole - although perhaps it might be worthwhile to tone down Boyd's erratic behaviour, which is starting to cover Trevor Eve's true acting ability."
Harry Broke, London

"Do we have to put up with the entire cast eating with their mouths open? I realise that Trevor Eve's character is meant to elicit a mixed response so next episode why not go the whole hog and have the cast belching, vomiting, or picking their noses? Is this the future of BBC Drama?"
Andy O'Hare, Worcester

"Did the budget not stretch to include extras?"
|
"During this story a shopping centre was used where people in the background were taking photos on mobile phones - I presume of the crew during filming. This totally eroded the believability of the programme and ridiculed the viewer. Shot after shot was used with the public staring right at the cameras. It was a joke. Were these scenes shot by students on work placement? It was very poor and extremely disappointing.
I cannot believe that in an age where we still give money to the BBC, year in, year out, to produce 'quality' programmes scenes of this cheap and tacky nature are included. Did the budget not stretch to include extras?"
James Sumner, Manchester

"This episode was good in principle - particularly some fantastic character development - but the ending was disappointing. There was no sense of closure, and I think that let it down.
On the plus side, Felix's fear of pigeons was classic, and the relationship between Boyd and Stella is developing nicely. On the minus side, Boyd's behaviour is worrying. I hope he doesn't get fired."
Amy, Wakefield

"Excellent episode yet again, and fine work from all involved particularly Trevor Eve. This series has really explored a volatile side to him which I feel has been put across well.
The ending to this story was top notch. I'm disappointed it's the last in the series next week, I do hope it returns soon."
Alexia, Surrey

"Boyd has 'roughed up' three suspects. Is this meant to be how our police force routinely interrogates suspects?"
|
"This was the weakest episode so far this series. The pace started slowly, completely failed to gather momentum, and finally trickled towards an unsatisfying ending.
In general this series has been gripping and compelling. But this episode failed to follow suit. I'm concerned about the disturbing trend of physical abuse of suspects. Last series Boyd attacked a paedophile who had been caught 'in the act'. Although the audience might have thought his actions were justified, his team reacted with great disapproval. This series Boyd has 'roughed up' three suspects and no one seems to have batted an eye-lid. Stella slapped a suspect and there was no criticism, instead we were meant to find it funny. Is this meant to be how our police force routinely interrogates suspects?"
Rebecca Hoskins, Alnwick, Northumberland

"This story degenerated into having us believe that a female PC would behave so stupidly and exchange telephone numbers with a suspected criminal. Dumb and unbelievable."
Paul J Silverberg, Charlbury

"From a clever, psychology-based detective programme, Waking The Dead is becoming yet another extreme entertainment designed to titillate with horrific and violent pictures. Is there really a need to repeatedly show women being strangled and drowned by their murderer? I found the latest story so extreme it was hard to watch with this unnecessary violence, and these repeated images detracted from the complexity and interest of the storyline. Sorry, but you've lost me as a supporter and viewer with this one."
Abby, London

"When analysing the water used to drown a victim, Felix stated, that all the elements she had listed (chlorine, aluminium and lead) were used to purify water that came out of the tap. Lead is not used, it comes from old pipes and most water company dose Othophosphoric acid to prevent this happening. Water coming out of the tap has been treated and disinfected, not purified, otherwise it would cost a lot more.
Apart from that, the story had me gripped to the very end yet again."
Steven Hartley, Water Operations Manager, Lincoln

"A silly, contrived storyline with plot holes aplenty. I still watched it all though."
|
"What a let down - a silly, contrived storyline with plot holes aplenty. Are the team not answerable to anyone - suspected killer on the loose and only five police officers are dealing with it. Letting him walk away just because his dental records are missing. Fantastic series otherwise - but this was a real shame. I still watched it all though."
Jon Kincaid, Woking

| |
|