Sas Rogue Heroes

[Ken4155]

Wasn't too sure of what to make of the first episode, but, given it was mainly used to set the scene and introduce some of the main players, i decided to watch the 2nd episode, too. By the end of which, more characters were introduced and the new regiment had reached their base camp.
It's not brilliant tv, but it is okay for a Sunday evening '9 o'clocker' and i am looking forward to watching future episodes.

[goodgoalie]

Looked like it cost a lot, and I kept wondering where they got all the WW2 equipment, especially all those trucks at the beginning.
Found the swearing tedious (but par for the course for Steven Knight), and the anachronistic music didn't work - but, again, it's Steven Knight.
Liked the fact that there were lots of actors I hadn't seen before.

[10ClarionSt]

Ben McIntyres' documentaries about the SAS have been shown on the BBC in the last coupe of years. I watched the first episode tonight which, as you say, was introducing us to the main players. I'm just wondering how much the characters will be embelished by the script writers, but I expect the action will depict real events. I think the SAS destroyed something like 400 German aircraft in North Africa.

[Ken4155]

I do believe that some poetic licence is allowed providing they stick to actual events.

[goodgoalie]

Yes, Ken - the scene with Stirling throwing the fake grenade onto the snooker table was tamed down; it actually was a real one!

[maggiebee]

Think I'll give it a try - same writers as Peaky Blinders I believe?

[Ken4155]

Watched the rest of the series tonight. Not brilliant, but it is definitely worth a watch and i dare say (Who Dares Say Wins) there will be a 2nd series.

[emmie]

not sure what to make of it, don't like the music at all, doesn't fit in with the narrative. I will watch the rest as i quite like the character, though the swearing as mentioned is a bit tiresome.

[10ClarionSt]

Emmie, these guys were in war, in the toughest conditions imaginable, maybe unimaginable. They weren't in a prim and proper Sunday School. According to Macintyres' documentaries, Paddy Mayne never took to promotion because it meant he would see less of the action. And nowhere in the documentaries is there mention of a female French Intelligence Officer. There may well have been one, but no mention. The SAS were ruthless men. In one operation during the invasion of Sicily, they had to assault a key position from the sea. The position would also be attacked from the landward side by paratroopers. However, lots of the paratroopers overshot the landing zone and came down in the sea amongst the approaching SAS assault boats. Their cries for help were ignored by the SAS because they said they couldn't jeopardize the mission. Unfortunately the paratroopers were casualties of war.

[Ken4155]

Just heard part of an interview on local radio with writer Stephen Knight. When asked if there'd be a 2nd season, his answer was, "Not supposed to talk about it but that's what will inevitably happen."
10C, i wondered if the female spy had been added as a love interest for Stirling. The most boring parts of the series were when the two were together

[bednobs]

they are making all the main characters seem incredibly unlikeable which is unusual

[Ken4155]

Ruthless, driven, and more than a little mad. Just like the main players in Peaky Blinders.

[bednobs]

they dont seem to have a single redeeming feature between them!

[Ken4155]

Given the tasks they were set, "ruthless, driven and more than a little mad" would seem to be excellent redeeming features :-))

[emmie]

10cs i understand that, and as to the likeability well i took to Sterling, Paddy and the rest of them, they were doing a horrendous job in the theatre of war, my only fault is with using the music of now, it's an irritant where it's not necessary.

[emmie]

i binged watched it all and hope they make a second series. I did like it except as i have said the music.

[10ClarionSt]

I agree with that, Emmie. Using modern music seemed a bit odd but the inclusion of 'I Fought The Law' was probably an attempt to convey the type of people that the, then SAS, were.

Thanks for the reply Ken. I thought that too, about a love interest for Stirling, but I don't recall Ben Macintyre ever mentioning French Paratroopers being part of it either. Maybe it's in the book, but there was never a mention in his documentaries.