“DON’T you want to know the secret?”
“I’ll tell you…”
There’s a riot in Fenchurch Prison in Ashes To Ashes final series episode six.
Written by James Payne, this is a dark, brooding and increasingly disturbing hour as we tumble towards the final two episodes.
Including a tantalising glimpse of a scene from episode eight and more clues about what it all may mean.
IT’S one of my abiding memories of Ashes To Ashes.
The sound of Keeley Hawes’ laughter in the corridor leading to the set in a former London biscuit factory.
I interviewed Ms Hawes for ITV’s The Blonde Bombshell way back in 1999.
The first of several encounters including, of course, her time as Zoe Reynolds in Spooks.
“WHATEVER you think it is you’re looking for, forget it. It doesn’t exist.
“Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.”
The pipes are calling in Ashes To Ashes final series episode five.
Perhaps my favourite hour so far as Mars meets Ashes and we turn a corner into the final straight.
Written by Tom Butterworth and Chris Hurford, it features the glorious return of Det Chief Insp Derek Litton (Lee Ross).
Or as Gene Hunt calls him: “Detective Chief Inspector ******* Litton.”
“EVERYTHING has a pattern and a pattern to everything.
“Find the connections. Find a way out of this.”
Alex’s notepad is back in Ashes To Ashes final series episode four.
Along with even more clues to the bigger picture as we reach the halfway stage of this epic farewell.
First a declaration. I’ve already seen the episode after this one and my brain is still racing.
GOD is in the detail.
The eve of the 1983 General Election and an arsonist is on the loose in London.
Could “the great handbag” herself be a target?
Mrs Thatcher takes on Michael Foot all over again in the wake of the Falklands War for Ashes To Ashes final series episode three.
As DI Ray Carling (Dean Andrews) walks into the fire.
Shaz is very much out of sorts in Ashes To Ashes final series episode two.
Written by Ashley Pharoah, it further lifts the curtain on what appears will form part of the Ashes and Mars conclusion.
Two moments in particular left the hairs on the back of my neck standing up like never before.
“AS a massive fan, it’s been great to be such an important part of it all.”
Daniel Mays arrives as DCI Jim Keats in the first episode of the final series of Ashes To Ashes this Friday night.
Will Gene Hunt’s (Philip Glenister) world ever be the same again?
I interviewed Danny on the Ashes set for a feature to be published in the MEN on Friday.
NOW, where were we?
The final series of Ashes To Ashes begins on BBC1 at 9pm on Good Friday.
I’ve seen preview DVDs of the first two episodes and can say without a shadow of a doubt that Ashes has upped its game.
And how.
With quite brilliant performances from Philip Glenister, Keeley Hawes and the rest of CID.
Plus the truly exceptional Danny Mays as Jim Keats.
Destined to be discussed long into the night once it’s screened.
Firstly, let me say yet again that I know just how lucky I am to be able to see episodes of Ashes in advance.
Plus interviewing the cast on set and elsewhere.
But mixed with the excitement of seeing episode one is a sadness that now there are just seven left to go.
(Actually published on Feb 14 2010. Please open and read in full)
THE full archive of Life of Wylie Ashes To Ashes blog posts for 2007, 2008 and ALL of 2009 is here.
My original blog was hosted by the Movable Type platform used by the MEN but now has a new home here at Wordpress…
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