The new episode...(contains spoilers)

[Lcraig]

The new episode of 'Cracker' should be exciting. I've been waiting for this for about two years now...

I first started watching 'Cracker' in 2004 on DVD. I now own the complete collection. My mum and dad had always been fans. I had a growing interest in clinical/forensic psychology at the time, so 'Cracker' seemed perfect for me.

What do you reckon the story is likely to be about? How will the surroundings of Manchester have changed?

[Admin]

I can't quite believe they are making another one to be honest after all these years, I really never thought it would happen. I can't wait, especially as it seems it could be on as early as next February in the UK. From the interview I linked on the site with Jimmy McGovern the crime story will definitely be 9/11 related, but I won't deny I'm as equally interested to see what Fitz is doing now after all these years. Especially McGovern's comment in the interview about him being out of the country for a long time which is interesting....and it's great that other cast members are coming back for this special, especially Penhaligon.

[Lcraig]

It would be great to see another series of 'Cracker', but it seems unlikely. If this special is successful, which I think it will be, then McGovern may consider doing another series. I suppose it all depends on whether Robbie Coltrane, Barbara Flynn, Geraldine Somerville, etc. would be interested.

[Martin]

I can't wait for this episode to get aired. If McGovern wasn't writing it then I would obviously watch it but not with the same pie-eyed enthusiasm. The fact that it appears to be a "big" crime, with a big motive (9/11) will lend itself to a great deal of powerful hoeme truths from Fitz's mouth (and Fitz only truly sounds like Fitz when Mcgovern is speaking through him.

With regards to the sort of thing I want to see - it'll be difficult for them to intriduce new characters in the police squad because there is only two hours to work with (the supporting cast was quite bland in One Day a Lemming Will Fly compared to later episodes because McGovern obviously had no idea how the characters would play it but once he saw them he was able to write in a way that fitted their traits). Because of this problem Panhandle will have to play a big role.

I like the idea of her being a DCI, the job she always yearned for (it is completely believeble that she would have reached this point by now in her career). I also like the idea of it being her first big case since becoming boss and experiencing similar problems to Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect (the sexist attitudes from her collegues). The idea of her having to contact Fitz because she cannot handle to case on her own would create a lot of tension, especially for such an independent and determined woman as her.

As I understand it Fitz has been out of the country for a while, so it will be good to see him catching up with his family, now changed so much.

I'd like Mark to lead a very simple, down to earth life, but one filled with simple, happy pleasures. A wife or fiance and a well paid though not spectacular job. This would give Fitz something to scoff at - his son and heir being a "normal" person who gets up every morning, goes to work and washes the car at weekends.

I think because Mark was such a rebel in his teens people will be expecting him to be a rebel now, possibly even more similar to Fitz, but that is too predictable I think. I'd much prefer it if Katy were the rebel, loaded with problems. I can't remember how old she is in True Romance but I figure she must have been early teens, so now in her early 20's I'd be fascinated if that sweet, quiet girl had become a bit of a hellraiser, and if she at some point outright blamed her father for her failings (his neglect of her is actually quite staggering in the originals).

As greatful as I am for a new Cracker story it is such a shame that McGovern described the chances of a new series as "unthinkable" or something to that effect, because as I said before, 2 hours isn't anywhere near enough time to get into the meat of what is potentially there (imagine Fitz spending more time with his son Jimmy - now about 10 or 11 I guess) in some desperate attempt to rid himself of the guilt he feels for neglecting his other 2 kids, and his daughter Katy then becoming even more resentful because of that.

There's a lot of potential there but sadly it will never be realised due to the time constraints. Maybe we'll get lucky and the show will end up being 3 hours, 3 juicy 1 hour episodes run over the same amount of eveinings?

Ayway, it'll be wonderful to see the show and I dearly hope the character of the criminal is as good as Albie in To Be A Somebody.

I'd also like t take the time to thank the webmaster of the site because it's been great looking around at all the info and various links (the articles section in particular was a great find for me). Good work.

[Martin]

More news in one of the tabloids today:

Richard Coyle, the Welsh guy from Coupling (the sitcom), is playing Fitz's boss in the new special. Filming apparently started yesterday, so I think we'll definitely get to see the show early next year.

Odd that Pennhaligan isn't he boss but perhaps McGovern thougt that would be too obvious. Maybe she has actually regressed in her bloody minded ambition and isn't as focused on her career anymore due to all the things that have happened to her.

Whatever, it's great to know that filming has started. Hopefully we will get a few shots of the location filming popping up in the magazines or newspapers.

[Admin]

I've just found that article, through the Manchester Evening News. I will post it on the main site later. It sounds great - and I'm so excited!!!

I really want to know what Penhaligon is doing though -the whole Fitz's new boss thing is a bit odd because as Martin said, it would be completely realistic that she could be a DCI now. I don't think it'd be the same though if she wasn't involved in the case working with Fitz as it was always them working together against the other officers in the original series. Hopefully more will come out about it in some bits on the net or something leading up to the episode being screened. The crime story though I think is going to be great - especially with McGovern behind it.

I'd also like t take the time to thank the webmaster of the site because it's been great looking around at all the info and various links (the articles section in particular was a great find for me). Good work.

No problem, Martin. Glad you like the site

[Martin]

Ah, so I was massively wrong (as usual). It seems Katy is not a rebel at all and instead is getting married (maybe she is older than I thought).

Must say, I am a bit perplexed by the article from the Manchester paper that says Fitz is no sooner back in town than he is rediscovering his old passions of drinking and gamblins and smoking. I hope this doesn't mean he has been free of those addictions for some time whilst living is Australia because it doesn't seem realistic that he would have quit all his vices only to start them all again the minute he gets back to Manchester.

Again, that is where the problem of having only 2 hours to work with rears its head, because with a new mini series of 3 stories you could gradually show a "clean" Fitz falling off the wagon and going back to old ways in a convincing way, but in 120 minutes that will be hard to do.

Maybe he has simply toned down on his drinking and gambling since being in Australia and they will start to overtake him once more when he is back in the crime and filth of his home town?

[Hari Seldon]

Quiting drinking, smoking and gambling and emigrating after your son has been lethaly electrified due to your job doesn't sound that stupid to me.

Comin' back and picking it up seems logic too. Anyone knows if Tess Thomson plays Katie again? Katie in the series took a sort of special place in my heart, minor play...quiet, but always there.

Wouldn't be surprised if in the series Mark has one or two kids and gets angry with Fitz getting back, frightened for some killer to go after his kids...

[Admin]

Hi Hari...haven't heard from you in a while hope you are OK!

I agree with you, I think the whole idea of Fitz having emigrated to Australia is totally plausible given all that happened in the final series. I think in an interview McGovern did recently he said Fitz had changed and that doesn't suprise me - just his usual habits of drinking & smoking hadn't!

I still can't believe that maybe in 2, 3 months time we would have finally seen a new episode in the UK after all these years!!! Just hope everywhere outside of the UK doesn't have to wait too long for it.

[Hari Seldon]

Hey Sarah!

Haven't been here too long, I see. Just made a fellow-dutch happy with my hard labour on the Cracker-videos rendering to VCD (back in '95 it was VERY hard work .

This may sound as a stupid question, but is there any info when and on what Channel the new Cracker is going to be aired? If I can get it with a satelitte-dish, that's a beautiful excuse to get one.. If it isn't possible to watch it over here... I seriously am wondering if I should buy a two-day ticket to... well Manchester that should be... and rent a room with tele.

[Extra]

The storyline for one of the new episodes (due to be aired in June/July) involves an American comic being strangled in the toilets of a comedy club........ ;D

[Noel]

I saw a scene being shot in Swinton Shopping Precinct on 20th November last year. It involved a security guard dragging two teenage girls (shoplifters?) down a passageway, while a group of lads watched and shouted abuse. Then a police car pulled up at the end of the passageway.

On the same day they also shot some scenes across the road in the reception of Salford Civic Centre which was disgused as Manchester Civic Centre.

In the same week, Swinton Police Station was being used for filming with several vintage police vehicles on the car park, but I think this was for a different production called 'SNE' (not 'Life On Mars' which had already wrapped by then).

[David]

Any idea when the new series starts? No mention on crackertv.co.uk or itv.com