If you like police procedural shows and fantasy, a new show starts in early January from BBC America you may want to check out. I guarantee you have never seen a show like this. Titled, The Watch, this show takes place in a dystopian, backwards society that somehow functions. If you kill someone you will be punished….unless you are part of the assassin’s guild. In which case simply leave a receipt when you are done and all’s good. Want to steal stuff? Better not get caught….unless you are apart of the thieves guild. Then you are okay. In a world of magic and dragons and fae, you better make sure the electricity works, your computer runs – Oh! and watch out for treadmills and the occasional appearing car. Any of this making sense? Grab you crossbows and get ready for The Watch!
The Watch – Pratchett but not Pratchett
Author Terry Pratchett became known for his wild, squirrely and eclectic worlds and characters, and although this series comes from his books, the similarities stop there. Think of The Watch as a show inspired by Pratchett’s Discworld books, but not based on them. Some fans do not like the liberties that creators took, but Simon Allen, the show’s creator, says the project was never meant to be an exact translation.
The beauty of this show rests in its unpredictable nature. Richard Dormer carries the cast with his raspy voice and random outbursts. As I mentioned earlier, the show will lull you into a sense of familiarity and then snap you back into Discworld with a hilarious quip or out of place scene.
The Watch begins January 3 on BBC America.
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