Edge of Darkness (TV series): Difference between revisions

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On original broadcast, it proved so popular that, immediately after it finished its run on BBC Two, it was repeated on BBC One, a unique occurrence in the history of British Television. It was praised, and awarded, for its acting, scripting, and direction, and launched the career of Martin Campbell, who would later go on to direct ''[[Goldeneye (Film)|Goldeneye]]'' for the [[James Bond]] franchise - and who cast Joe Don Baker as a cheery CIA agent in that movie in direct reference to his role in this series. Oh, and Eric Clapton collaborated with Michael Kamen to write the show's distinctive, haunting [[Crowning Music of Awesome|score]].

Ronald "Ronnie" Craven is a Detective Inspector in the Police Force; he was decorated for bravery in the line of duty during his time in [[The Troubles|Northern Ireland]]. His wife died of cancer, roughly a decade ago, since when he has brought his daughter Emma up single handed. As the story opens, she has grown up to be a politically radical student, who seems to be the only remaining person on the face of the planet who can make him smile. Ronnie drives her home from a political meeting -- trying to keep her out of the [[Empathic Environment|rain]], which has become [[A Storm Is Coming|absurdly and suspiciously heavy]] -- whereupon she is shot dead by a balaclava-clad thug wielding a sawn-off shotgun. Later, a grieving Ronnie is going through Emma's belongings; he finds [[Arson Murder and Jaywalking|a loaded gun, a geiger counter, her vibrator, and her old teddy-bear]].

Ronald "Ronnie" Craven is a Detective Inspector in the Police Force; he was decorated for bravery in the line of duty during his time in [[The Troubles|Northern Ireland]]. His wife died of cancer, roughly a decade ago, since when he has brought his daughter Emma up single handed. As the story opens, she has grown up to be a politically radical student, who seems to be the only remaining person on the face of the planet who can make him smile. Ronnie drives her home from a political meeting -- trying to keep her out of the [[Empathic Environment|rain]], which has become [[A Storm Is Coming|absurdly and suspiciously heavy]] -- whereupon she is shot dead by a balaclava-clad thug wielding a sawn-off shotgun. Later, a grieving Ronnie is going through Emma's belongings; he finds [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking|a loaded gun, a geiger counter, her vibrator, and her old teddy-bear]].

The police investigate briefly, but [[Police Are Useless|rapidly abandon their investigations]], leaving Craven to use his contacts, wits, and determination to [[Minor Crime Reveals Major Plot|unravel the mystery]]. [[It Got Worse|Or, at least, to attempt to do so]].

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* [[Fun With Acronyms]] -- Though never mentioned in the series, this troper is convinced that the evil corporation '''Fu'''sion '''C'''orporation of '''K'''ansas has an acronym.

* [[Gaias Vengeance]] -- the "proper" variety. Possibly.

* [[Hey ~~Its~~ That Guy]] -- Ronnie Craven (played by Bob Peck) aka [[Jurassic Park|Muldoon]]. Other characters are played by actors who you may recognise from ''[[Dune]]'', ''[[Sharpe]]'', ''Gormenghast'' and ''[[~~Blakes~~ Seven (TV)|Blakes Seven]]''.

* [[Hey It's That Guy]] -- Ronnie Craven (played by Bob Peck) aka [[Jurassic Park|Muldoon]]. Other characters are played by actors who you may recognise from ''[[Dune]]'', ''[[Sharpe]]'', ''Gormenghast'' and ''[[Blake's Seven (TV)|Blakes Seven]]''.

** Joe Don Baker of [[James Bond]] fame turns up too.

* [[Knight Templar]]: According to the writer, Jerry Grogan was intended to represent the original Knights Templar.

* [[The Movie]] -- [[Cultural Translation|set in Boston,]] starring Mel Gibson as ''Tommy'' Craven. Still has a lot of British actors, though. One critic even pointed out that "the name Northmoor makes more sense in the original".

* [[New Era Speech]] -- we get one from a [[Card Carrying Villain|disreputable]] [[I Love Nuclear Power|character]].

* [[New Era Speech]] -- we get one from a [[Card-Carrying Villain|disreputable]] [[I Love Nuclear Power|character]].

* [[Obfuscating Stupidity]]: To some extent, Jedburgh: by playing the part of the loud redneck Texan to the hilt, he conceals the fact that he is a highly determined, ruthless yet utterly moral and decent operator. At one point, he orders breakfast:

{{quote| "Black coffee and whisky."<br />