Customer Reviews

Second Sight, Vol. 1 & 2

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a remarkable series, richly dramatic and with one of those "twists" that lends an added element to each of the stories. Clive Owen's is powerful character as Ross Tanner, a hard drinking, hard boiled detective with a knack for solving some of the most difficult crimes. Unfortunately, he's cursed with a rare disorder causing him to go permanently blind. We watch Tanner's painful struggle as he attempts to keep this news to himself, relying ever higher on his other senses compensating for his loss of vision. He keeps everyone at bay, including his ex-wife and partners. Eventually, of course, those closest to him are onto the situation but everyone plays along as best they can - at least for as long as they can.

Owen's is one of those "must see" performances and he makes Tanner a character both irascible and likeable - not an easy accomplishment.

The mysteries of the crimes are fairly standard British "Mystery" which means they are always a notch or two above American crime dramas. In addition to the mystery aspect, we get to know and like (or loathe) a number of fascinating characters that make up the cast.

Second Sight is a worthy series that didn't get enough attention Stateside, but makes for some highly watchable television.

Clive Owen caught my eye in Inside Man (Widescreen Edition). Ever since then I've been a fan. After checking out his movies on amazon I came across "Second Sight". It sounded pretty interesting- Clive Owen plays a police detective who is losing his sight. He has to deal with temporary blindness and hallucinations- not to mention solving the case.

I've never purchased a British television show before so I was a bit apprehensive. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to understand some of the accents, or even the terms. Overall though, I was able to understand it very well. I can only remember one time where I rewound two or three times before giving up on that one phrase because I had no idea what they said.

Clive was fabulous. He plays the tough detective (Ross Tanner) so well, but was also able to show that he was a loving father to his son. His difficulty in accepting that he had a problem was hard to watch. Claire Skinner costars as his partner (Catherine Tully). It was interesting to watch her mind work, whether it was figuring out the crime, or noticing her partner had a problem.

I thoroughly recommend this series to anyone who loves mysteries or detective stories. Or if you're a Clive Owen fan like me. Buy "Second Sight Vol. 1 & 2". There's only four episodes total, but they are each two parts due to the length. I was sorry to see them end!

Have only watched the first two episodes so far, but am greatly enjoying the show. It is alot of fun and I enjoy seeing some recognizable British actors with smaller parts. The mysteries are in depth and not easily solved. We make bets about half way through the show to see who is right (or closest) in solving the mystery.

If you are looking for a completely logical, no-loose-ends mystery, this will not work. But if you are looking for a psychological mystery this is engrossing and rings true. Anyone who has ever been to a doctor's office and gotten news that will change your life for the worse, and then has to learn to accept it will appreciate the development of this character over the course of the series. While each episode stands alone, it is the series as a whole that really makes these mysteries different from most. Tanner's blindness is not a "gimmick" it is a real catalyst for change in his thinking. Clive Owen is really outstanding, and I love Claire Skinner as DI Tully. She is a very delicate looking person, whose character is really very tough, smart, somewhat standoffish, yet also deeply compassionate. I might add that the initial visit to the doctor who drops the bad news on Tanner was absolutely typical of the experience of being with a doctor who is a coward when it comes to dealing with his patients.

Why is it that British TV can be sooo grand at times? I rushed out to buy Second Sight after catching a glimps of the series on a public TV chanel. What is right about it? Everything: original plot, charismatic lead (I am not a fan of Clive Owen's, EXCEPT in this performance), well chosen supporting cast, quality production. You yearn for another installment of the series, though with Clive Owen gaining popularity in the US, that does not seem likely (can he take a lesson from Sean Bean, who did not forget his roots, and recently returned, for a brief moment, to the TV series "Sharpe" that had "made him"?). There is nothing on American TV that compares well to the sofistication of this product. Buy it, watch it, share it!

I simply adored Clive as a TV Det...this whole series was wonderful all because of him. Every story line was well thought out and the journey we take along with him as he loses his eye sight is sweet and tragic. I sure would have helped him! I also bought the entire series!!!!

I was pleasantly surprised at how well Clive Owen acted in this series. In some of his movies he seems a little too stiff, however, in this series he is warm and believable. This is the story of a detective on the fast track who is losing his sight. Reading the synopsis you may think that "Second Sight" is referring to being able to see into the future/past; however that is not the case. He is losing his sight due to a viral infection that is uncurable. He is unable to hide this condition from his most able coworkers (they are detectives after all), and has to lean on a few of them which is something he hates to do. This series would have been better has the intro been deleted off of it, but the show was very good and the last show of the series had a wonderful and satisfying ending.

DVD or Video--This is an engrossing 2-part detective movie PBS (or BBC?)about a detective who is losing his sight after an accident. He tries to hide the fact from his police force, while solving a case. Great plot and acting.

NOTE TO AMAZON: Can Amazon Note in their product description when a DVD or Video (like Second Sight) offers DVS--Descriptive Video Service, an audio descripton option for viewers with visual impairment--low vision or blindness?
Same way you may list when a product offers CC --Closed Captioning for viewers with hearing impairment--deaf, hard of hearing, etc.

For those who have visual impairment, this DVD/video/TV movie offers the option of Descriptive Audio, a quiet voice that describes key visual scenes (e.g., "The man slips into the room and hides a key under the phone.") To use this, check SECOND SIGHT video menu for additional features. On regular TV, you click the MTS or SAP button on your TV remote and highlight MTS or SAP-- when a program has it, a subtle voice describes all the video action. The voice in no way interferes with the video voice--in fact, it helps the viewer.

My husband is blind, and this way we can both watch DVD. (If the program does not have it, clicking SAP or MTS will play classical music or Spanish translation).
I'm sighted, but I love Descriptive Audio for when I'm tired, too--I never miss a trick this way!

We urge ALL DVD/video makers to add descriptive video---PBS tv stations offer a great many programs with DV (e.g., Masterpiece Theatre, series, etc.)--some networks--NBC, CBS, ABC--must also, by law--look oline on tv schedule to see if DA or DV appears (where the initials CC, for "Closed Captions" for deaf viewers, normally appears).

This is a great Series. Clive Owen is an amazing actor to pull off this role, a detective who is losing his sight, but fighting to keep his life the same for as long as he can.

Excellent in everyway-acting & storyline. I would highly recommend-British television & Owen at their best.