NY Times Review - Edge of Darkness

NY Times Review - John O'Connor, 1986:

BRITISH producers are finally catching up with American television in the special art of producing slick, taut, action-adventure thrillers. And as the BBC and its commercial colleagues are traditionally not shy about injecting substance into their entertainments, this development is very welcome indeed. An outstanding example of the possibilities is ''Edge of Darkness,'' a six-hour series that last year walked off with several of Britain's top television awards. Now in syndication in this country, ''Edge of Darkness'' has been picked up by WNYC and begins a five-week run on Channel 31 with a two-hour premiere tonight at 9....

Edge of Darkness Again

I just finished watching the final episode of Edge of Darkness, and my heart is still racing, taking it all in, remembering the frantic, driven, sad minutes of the final chapter in this outstanding series from the 1980s. I will always see those black flowers growing out of the Scotland snow.

Please buy or rent this terrific show from the BBC (Available in a PAL version at Amazon). Everyone in it, from the two stars, Bob Peck (sadly dead of cancer in 1999), and Joe Don Baker, to the large supporting cast, are picture perfect in their roles. Don Baker has a final banquet scene that you won't forget in a hurry. And the music by Eric Clapton! Here is the title song available at i Tunes. There is also a Willie Nelson song - The Time of the Preacher - that fits into the plot and moves it forward.

How glad we should be that it is available now on DVD. Like State of Play, I wonder if the planned movie of Edge starring Mel Gibson will measure up to the original.

NY Times - Brothers and Sisters

Sunday Night with the Siblings

Edge of Darkness Site

A fan site for Edge of Darkness - Excellent
Message Board for Edge of Darkness
Page at the IMDb

Interesting connections from a friend:

Were you aware that an episode of Ashes to Ashes is in effect a deliberate homage to Edge of Darkness? it's episode 4 - the one with the govt. conspiracy, paranoia and top secret facility where Alex and Gene get stuck in a vault. The writer of that ep is a big fan of Edge and incorporated references and tips of the hat into the show. eg. the writer of Edge was Troy Kennedy Martin, in the Ashes episode, the name of the corpse is Martin Kennedy. Another unexpected coincidence is that his brother Ian Kennedy Martin, created 'The Sweeney' the seminal 70's cop show which starred John Thaw as DI Jack Regan, the nearest equivalent to Gene Hunt, and from whom LOM also derived many of its references and 'look'. It's a small world!

David E. Kelley may depart 'Mars'

Variety: David E. Kelley may depart 'Mars' -- Insiders say financial considerations play role

This is a new program based on the BBC production "Life On Mars" Starring John Simm and Philip Glenister. (See April 22) I hope it comes off. I loved the original series.

Glenister and Simm at the BAFTAs

Radio Times: Life on Mars gallery - Thanks, Gill

Duo leaves NBC's 'Philanthropist'

Variety: Duo leaves NBC's 'Philanthropist' -- Levinson, Fontana exit drama series over tone