The Responder

I suppose ‘ enjoyed’ isn’t the right word but it did hold my interest and I will watch again tonight. Thought the acting was remarkable. Whether I will stick it out for all the episodes remains to be seen.

I watched the first 35 minutes and then gave up.

I have decided that I only want light and fluffy entertainment at the moment.

I’ll stick with it for now the acting was superb the swearing didn’t bother me as someone else said it’s how it is in the emergency services a lot of the time.

We watched it and will watch again tonight, it’s different and quite gritty.

I didn't enjoy it either. Martin Freeman was believable in the role. I found the whole thing dark and depressing.

Oh this was so slow. I don't think I could watch five whole episodes. Yes the acting is good but the lack of speed spoilt the whole thing for me.

I think Martin Freeman is wonderful actor who always gets inside the character he plays. But I found the accent and the general overall sadness hard to take and switched off after half an hour or so. I can't sit through five hours of depression.

I will watch it on catch up. Whether I stick with it or not remains to be seen. It was written by the policeman on nights (played by the brilliantly talented MF) who had a breakdown with the emotional toll his job created. I suppose we all ought to be very grateful that somebody tackles this type of work with baddies whilst we are all snugly asleep in our beds. Someone has to do it. I’m sure it’s not entertaining. Just an insight from a responder who knows (if we can bear it) about the awful people who live amongst us.

Yes, it made me realise how hard this sort of job is, and how much stress they must be under. Also how lucky I am to live where I do.

Well said Urms I agree with you. I watched the programme and shall continue to the end. Although, I agree with everyone who says it is dark and depressing. But then, it is so for the officers' who do the job.

Programmes like this just make me realise how fortunate I am. There but for the grace of God. It throws light on some of the suffering going on right now. Covid might dominate the media but there is a lot else that needs attention.

Thank you Aldom ?

I watched it all. Thought Martin Freeman was incredible as someone just managing to hold things together. The swearing was absolutely appropriate in the circumstances. It wasn't escapist TV and sometimes all the characters were dreadful but there were small incidents where the humanity shone through.

I didn't watch it, instead I was enjoying Sky Arts with Andre Rieu's 70th birthday celebrations---wonderful and nearly 3 hours.

We used to have a responder living near us who had to be on the move because it was never safe for him to stay in one place too long. Imagine living like that ? His house was alarmed up to the hilt. I told him at the time to set a booby-trap---like a Sweeny Todd type . He was a lovely man who helped everyone around, but needless to say it wasn't long before he was on the move again.

Started watching it but I didn’t watch until the end. I think husband watched it all. I won’t be watching it again.

I really struggled to hear what was being said - had difficulty following the plot and it felt as if I'd started watching half way through.
And then I fell asleep.
I shan't watch it again.

Fantastic actors but what a load of drivel!!!!! I’m not going to watch anymore. We seem to have had a run lately of bilge!

So pleased I wasn't the only one who thought this was dire! After all the hype I was disappointed and kept checking the clock thinking it was due to end... Longest hour ever. I know I could have turned off but I was hoping it would perk up.

It’s a fly on the wall description of a dishonest, stressed and broken police officer, with a heart, of sorts. We don’t know the backstory yet so will wait and see. My only question would be why he works alone at night in dangerous situations. Early days, will see how it pans out.
I had to use sub titles, again,! I have slight hearing problems but on so many programmes they either mumble or slur ( unless it’s just me).

I think we have to understand that we are probably the last generation that will see the f word as swearing it is normal talk to later generations
I ll reserve judgement til I ve seen tonight but I m not sitting on the edge of my seat at waiting for 9 p,m

LtEve

I hate to tell you this but swearing is endemic in all the emergency services, not in front of patients/general public but in crew rooms/ break rooms/vehicles etc it will be every other word. a way of letting off steam I guess as most of us don't at home. Most of the general public the police come into contact with are even worse.

I haven't watched this programme but if it didn't include multiple swear words it would be totally unrealistic.

Ambulance crews filmed for reality TV know they have to behave totally differently in front of the camera so you don't see it then.

Absolutely agree with this....my work brings me into contact with a lot of officers and it is pretty much the norm'.

Likewise the client group depicted...again, in my previous work I dealt with substance misusers etc and that pretty much was the vocabulary used.
It was never directed at our staff team, usually as a descriptor and would nearly always be followed by a 'sorry' before the next expletives were uttered!

The dead lady on the sofa actually blinked her eyes as he started to walk out of the room to go upstairs!
I agree it is a bit slow but I am going to continue with it as it shows promise

Why, and how has life ended in the gutter such as is ?

Well spotted happygirlglad the lady didn’t die after all.

I think this is the reality of life for some people today. It isn't pretty or fashionable. I was sayng the other day that all the dramas now seemed to be set in lovely houses, or beautiful locations, and the kitchen sink drama we had in the 60s seemed to have disappeared. I think this is the equivalent. It isn't easy watching but it is life for some people. We should all watch it, if only so we are aware of how our society is failing so many people.