stevetan-to Reviews

Snatch (2017–2018)

No, this is not okay

[1/10 · 10 September 2019]

I had high hopes for this show after watching episode 1. It promised the same humour and fun I remember from Guy Ritchie's movie. But then came episode 2 and we are introduced to Mr. Gold, a Fagin straight out of Dickens. And not much later, Mr. Gold's "delivery" at the airport turns out to be a package of three Ultra Orthodox Jews bent on smuggling diamonds into the UK. And no, they are not men dressed as Ultra Orthodox Jews. They are clearly meant to BE Ultra Orthodox Jews. The producers have even given them fake accents (what the heck was that supposed to be? German? Yiddish? Don't you know they speak Brooklyn there?), using words like "bubbeleh". Of course, crime isn't the only bad thing about these guys. They are also drug-taking womanizers who can't wait to party it up in a strip club. Come on!

This kind of thing may have been okay in the Dickensian era, but anti-Semitic tropes surely went out of favour in the middle of the 20th Century. They may be gaining renewed acceptance today, but surely a show made for mass media entertainment has no place making them acceptable. This is NOT okay.

Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2020)

If Sally Wainwright had anything to do with it, watch it!

[9/10 · 7 November 2014]

Thank you Netflix, for introducing us to the work of Sally Wainwright (and to actors like Sarah Lancashire!). This has to be one of the sweetest, nicest, most absorbing series I have seen in years - so much better than the usual run of the mill North American stuff. It takes its time to introduce you to the lives and thoughts of its cast, and in doing so, it captures you completely. You fall in love with haughty Caroline and mixed up, do anything for love Gillian. Even the less sympathetic characters - John and Judith - are fun to be with as you wait to see them plunge into their next disaster. As for the two lovebirds, Alan and Celia, they are just so believable and such a delight to spend time with. After watching this, I've discovered Scott & Bailey, also by Sally Wainwright and can't believe the same person wrote such two very different series. I've also watched Happy Valley with Sarah Lancashire and she is incredible. The contrast with her character in Last Tango is stunning. So once again, thank you Netflix. Thank you Sally Wainwright!