Bang (S4C) Episode 7 Review

Folkestone is home to the world’s highest brick arched viaduct but it is not home to a new distribution centre for the company Sam works for. His lie that he’s suddenly transferring location is easily uncovered by a quick google search, as was that fascinating fact about Folkstone. While Gina is tracking him down with her clever cop mind, not one to let the grass grow. stepdad Ray is clearing out the house already. In reality Sam is just heading down the welsh coast on his trusty bike.

Gina finds him in a church holding a gun to his head and not because the sermon is boring but because he feels it’s the only way to free himself. Finally we see Gina’s response to Sam owning the gun. Perhaps it’s the shock of her brother about to commit suicide that means her familial instincts kick in rather than the anger expected. Not much is said between the two but we can assume she has made the connection between Sam and all the recent crimes but strangely, on screen at least, she never asks where he got the gun from. It feels a waste that there isn’t much communication between the two at this late stage of the series, especially is there is so much to talk about. Gina was already reluctant to draw Carl towards Ela’s connection with her brother and now she’s in possession of the firearm looks set to protect him at all costs. That cost could be her job and a criminal record. To be honest, she seems more preoccupied with her father’s past so that’s likely to have strong relevance to next weeks finale.

The truth is spilling out elsewhere. In a kitchen showdown we discover Ray not only knows about Sam raiding his yard but the stealing from work too. On the flip of the coin, Sam knows about Ray’s misdemeanours with ladies (who must have terrible taste in men) too. Another connection is made as we get an answer to who Patricia has been gossiping to on the phone all this time and in a twist nobody saw coming it turns out to be grumpy stepdad Ray. Madness. Don’t sit there, smugly reading this and claim you saw that coming. You are lying!

Lots is going on elsewhere too. Carl is being plagued by a mysterious caller who we soon learn is Mel and she clearly wants to use knowledge of his affair with Gina to her advantage. Wide boy Rhys is also back on the estate and with his girlfriend by his side, raids Sam’s home in a quest for the gun but they’re rudely interrupted by the hasty and welcome return of Ela. Things are left with a tense stand off (or sit off) as Sam hides upstairs.

It’s a pretty weak cliffhanger compared to what Bang has treated us to previously but judging by the quality of the show so far, we are in very good hands indeed as things heat up for the last episode. What will Gina sacrifice for her brother? Will everyone get out alive? More to the point, will we ever find out who bloody killed Stevie Rose? One thing is for certain, even though the gun is out of Sam’s hands, things are going to be explosive. 8/10

Bullet points:

• Anyone spot the guest appearance of Alabama 3’s Rob Spragg (AKA Larry Love) as coughing villian Douglas Rose? Not content with supplying the music he also gets a bit of screen time too.
• Is it wrong to hope that Sam shoots grumpy Ray in the head?
• Rhys is obviously a wrong ‘un because when it comes to pizza toppings his first thought was pineapple.

Bang (S4C) Episode 6 Review

Just when you think Sam couldn’t dig himself deeper into a pit named trouble things escalate further than ever before. Surely it’s only a matter of time before big sis finds out the truth. Ela may have unwittingly saved him from brandishing his gun at the club but on the run home he’s pointing it into the back of Luke’s head. Not only that, but due to everyone waving mobile phones about, Ela is spotted in photos and that brings Gina back to Sam’s door. Honestly, it was so much easier committing armed robbery before smart phones were invented. Apparently.

The loved up pair escape to a hotel with their “earnings”, frollick in the bed and the pool and soon find another victim in the form of a creepy guy in the restaurant but true to form things start going tits up quicker than you can say Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Creepy guy catches them on the take and sexually assaults Ela which means only one thing, Sam goes all Reservoir Dogs again. The gun is out and it’s the closest he’s come to killing yet. His relationship with the weapon is so serious he might as well propose to it and put it in a wedding dress. An alarmed Ela gives an ultimatum but he chooses it over her and she strolls away. Probably out of his life for good.

An interesting side story is Luke’s trauma after being held at gun point. He suffers flashbacks and struggles to tell anyone through shame. His bottled anger whipping up a frenzy at a teen catcalling Gina. He does eventually say but the boss isn’t happy and he’s sent home pending a disciplinary. It’s a topic rarely covered in crime dramas and great to see it be touched upon. Indeed, another fallout from the effects of the job are shown as Layla is signed off with stress. There are no alcoholic cops coming back for one last case cliches here, just a more raw, honest take on police work.

Thankfully Bang is not full of crazy plot twists just for the sake of plot twists. It goes in unexpected directions without resorting to silly shock tactics, it intrigues without having the need to shout at you. This was the most exciting and absorbing episode to date and with only two more to go, everything stands on a precipice. Sam needs a miracle to escape the fall. 9/10

Bullet points:

• Yes, Ela was a bit crazy but she seemed to have a good heart. Sam is nuts to ditch her. Not just because she looked good in a swimming costume.
• Will Ela be the one that dobs him in to the police? Unlikely given the crimes she carried out with him
• We still don’t know what connection Sam and Gina’s dad had to Douglas Rose?
• What is Patricia playing at? Who was she on the phone to?
• Mel is back. Uh oh

Bang (S4C) Episode Five Review

The past is staring to catch up with Gina, mostly because she chooses to seek it out. She requests the twenty year old files of the investigation into her father’s death only to find out about his vast array of criminal records. All the Cautions, suspended sentences, trespassing, fraud and handling of stolen goods charges paint a picture of the man that’s totally different to the one that’s been hung up in her mind all this time. Her present too is is proving complicated. Sam knows about her fling with Carl and it looks a matter of time that proof in the theory about mixing business with pleasure comes true.

As for Sam, despite his early visit to the police station, things are weirdly looking up. Turns out they just wanted to know more about Cai so he walks free into the arms (or rather a jacket) of a lady and now the gun isn’t the only object of his desire. Ela, however, is a bad influence and if there’s one thing this “sad, beautiful boy” doesn’t need right now it’s someone taking him down even darker paths. Not only that, but he gets one up over Ray after spying weaknesses under that surly exterior. Sam is allowed to stay in the home as a method to keep him onside but suspicions between the two aren’t a one way street. Clearly convinced his stepson played a role the robbery, Ray scouts around the house looking for evidence.

Where Bang excels most, other than it’s beautiful, subtle direction is in the performances. Especially by the two leads, Catrin Stewart and Jacob Ifan. Nothing is overblown or too stagey. They keep the story grounded and real. Sam is going off the rails with an almost calm sense of invincibility but the portrayal is no grand Hollywood statement. He steals money from under a workmate’s nose and in a drugs induced state robs cash from till of a club and yet his plight still elicits sympathy rather than judgement. We end with him cornered, gun in hand and on a close up of his face, caught in two minds about pulling the trigger. What follows is set to be a showdown of recriminations and extreme family politics. 8/10

Bullet points:

• Are there any links between the death of Sam and Gina’s dad and the Stevie Rose murder?
• Why would Patricia order a private detective to follow Gina? Seems extreme to say the least. Is it because of her family links?
• Even now he’s getting his end away, Sam can still barely break into a smile, bless him.
• Will Sam’s involvement with the gun end his sister’s career?
• Will he be charged with the murder of Stevie Rose as well as the actual crimes he has committed?

Bang (S4C) Episode Four review

The gun has become as precious to Sam as that ring did to Gollum. While he may not talk to it, his relationship with the firearm has grown unhealthy. Not content with an armed robbery last week, Sam and Cai plan a break in but this time the target is the business run by grumpy stepdad Ray. As if the guy wasn’t miserable enough already. Due to the interruption of a security guard the weapon is called into action for the first time but it was the fingers of Cai that pulled the trigger.

It further sets up the merging of the investigations with Sams’ predicament as brother and sister are set to collide head on. The gun is essentially acting as GPS for the police. They the know the bullet was from the same gun that shot Stevie Rose, as they also know from his random shooting into the air previously. The irony is that in his desperation to buy his house he is keeping things too close to home. First he steals and then commits armed robbery of his work place and now he is stealing from his stepdad and accidentally putting someone in hospital. The guard is alive and it could be curtains for Sam’s dream. His new home could soon be behind bars.

The actual details of the Stevie Rose murder doesn’t grow much more in the way of flesh and is the weakest thread in the series as a whole. There’s some unusual behaviour from Mrs Rose that involves waiting outside Gina’s house and an attempt at bribery. The widower grows more suspicious with each scene. Justin also hints that drugs are involved somewhere but progress will be slow considering the police are chasing a gun which is not in the hands of the killer.

It’s a superbly atmospheric forty five minutes that flies by, culminating in Cai, for reasons best known to himself, going to visit the security guard in intensive care. Again, it proves a good tracking device for the police and they chase him down and indeed out as he’s hit by a car and the grim reaper comes calling. As do the boys in blue, to Sam’s workplace. There’s no hiding in dark corners behind palettes now. 8/10

Bullet points:

• When the truth comes out, will Gina sacrifice her duty to the badge and cover for her brother?
• Can you imagine how sour Ray’s face will be one he finds out who broke into his company? Is it possible to frown any more?
• Will Sam somehow be implicated in the murder of Stevie?
• Will the money being posted through Gina’s door be classed as an acceptance of a bribe?
• Will the Port Talbot tourist board use Bang as a promotional tool for gun lovers?

Bang (S4C) Episode 3 Review

The gun isn’t the star of the show this week. Sam’s world is falling around his shoulders as we follow the fallout following the death of his Nan. It’s a few weeks on from from our last visit to Port Talbot and the funeral has taken place. Home is not Sam’s safe place anymore and the hidden weapon isn’t the only reason. His mum is selling the house, grumpy stepdad Ray (registered trademark) is being extraordinarily grumpy and he has a worse day than normal at work.

Unsurprisingly, given that four grand has vanished, his company discover there’s lots of stock gone awol. In a tense stand off, the workers are confronted but nobody owns up and even as lockers are being searched Tom is stealing from under management noses. Now that takes balls. And sells them on for profit. Workmate Cai is caught in the crossfire (a pun, see?) as a doll is found in his locker. Not a sex one, they don’t fit. Apparently. Cai gets the boot but knows Sam is the man responsible. Responsible probably isn’t the word thinking about it. Bribery is the ex-colleagues method of retaliation. 

The police investigation elements are the less appealing thread in episode three and this time it’s played completely separately from Tom though, of course, we now full well the Hedlu will close in. Gina’s mind isn’t on the job, well not the job she’s paid for, as she’s getting her wicked way with the boss at lunchtime. Is she unintentionally sleeping her way to promotion? It would be nice to see Catrin Stewart utilised more so here’s hoping the second half of the series pushes her to the fore and not just because she’s having an affair with a potentially married man. The sibling relationship feels under explored too. 

We learn more of Stevie Rose’s family, his father Douglas in particular and it clouds the water further. There may be a link with two dodgy tattooed guys who make a habit of loitering suspiciously around buildings. It also turns out Russell survived last weeks brutal attack and apart from making eyes at Luke, gives the police no information. He might turn out to be Tom’s unlikely saviour. In the short term at least. The gore was raised a level with the bloody murder of a man named Jason Eastwood. Jason used to work for Stevie and was sacked following a confrontation. We don’t yet know the perpetrators of either the attack or murder but dodgy tattoo guys are high on the list. 

The pace is certainly the slowest of the three offerings so far and is missing the chaotic partnership of Rhys and Mel. Bang shines most when covering the bleak canvas in beauty, both visually and with words. The pay off is worth the build up as Sam and Cai team up to rob a work van in the dark of night. In a botched attempt they only escape by Sam brandishing the gun at the driver. His list of illegal activities grow as he gets darker and more desperate. How long before Gina’s is no longer the nagging sister but the arresting officer? In Cai’s words “tick tock”..  7/10

Bullet points:

• The flashback to grumpy stepdad Ray (TM) being physically aggressive to a younger Sam explains a lot about their dynamic.
• Sam, your Nan’s slippers might hold sentimental value but they really need binning. 
• Cai stole a doll pissing itself and lost his job. Hands up, who’s lost a job for a stupider reason than that?

Bang (S4C) – Episode 2 Review

The vicious circle that was forming last week is starting to join and the dots that are now connecting can only lead down one very dark cul de sac indeed. Amid a beautiful setting of crashing waves and steep hills the pace calms down for the intricacies to show themselves but episode two simply feels like the calm before a storm.

The police are swarming the neighbourhood following Sam’s moment of madness and if you’re going to have the police knocking at your door when there’s a gun in your bedroom then it’s probably best that your sister is the officer. Gina is convinced the gun belongs to Rhys and it’s not until his girlfriend Mel is caught dealing drugs that they have an excuse to find out. Rhys himself had seemed to be mellowing following the death of his brother but normal service resums when he headbutts officer Luke during the raid. Safe.

We meet Russell, a tweed sporting country gangster, or rather loan shark who we find out had Sam by the balls four years ago. Metaphorically and literally. Back then grumpy Ray bailed him out and it may explain his current protective (but very rude) attitude towards his stepson. Russell is clearly a man who has pissed off many people in his time and a gruesome attack (by two men whose faces are conspicuous by their absence) soon has him by the balls.

Money is Sam’s prime motivation because he wants stubborn Nan to go private having dismissed herself from hospital following the heart attack. This quest for mula, which forces him to steal and sell on phones from work, is all in vein as her body proves not to be as strong as her willpower and with a spillage of tea is gone. Sad for two reasons, one being that it was a waste of what looked like a good cuppa.

The mood remains constantly bleak but notably very watchable due to a compelling plot unlike, say Rellik, which holds none of those qualities. Where Rellik focuses on one gimmick at the expense of everything else, Bang is a focused crime drama with plenty of legs. 8/10

Bullet points:

• Eating cheesy puffs is now officially a good alibi for murder
• Is Ray’s heart in the right place? What does he hold over Sam?
• Who attacked Russell and what was the motive?
• “Everyone’s card is marked, innit?” How long before Sam’s is dealt?
• With Rhys and Mel both temporarily banged up, will they tell on their neighbour?
• Most youngsters worry about the family finding porn under their bed. Not Sam.

 

Cardiff, Wales. Consider Yourself WARNED! Manic Street Preachers At Cardiff Castle

Cardiff was bracing itself. Threats of rail strikes, forty mile tailbacks heading back along the M4 and a city centre rammed full of two very disparate looks. The combat, eye-liner feather boas wearing adults mixing with a different form of army, thousands and thousands of ten year olds wearing ‘I Love Louis/Harry shirts being ushered by harassed parents. If there was anyone wearing an ‘I Love Hoovering’ shirt just to confuse people then you have my respect. The passers by not knowing what the heck was going on might have thought some kind of twisted apocalypse was occurring. The capital had never seen the like before.

There was a way to escape the teenage takeover and that’s by hiding in a pub. So that’s what we did. Myself and fellow forumers met at the Brewhouse and talked and laughed and started having way too many shots for that time of day. There was also a Manics tribute act providing us with a perfect soundtrack to our pre-gig giddiness. We even had the honour of meeting James Dean Bradfield himself.

We made our way to the Castle around 7ish. Good job we’d been drinking so much already as the queue’s were horrendous. After taking in the rather spectacular surroundings we made our way closer as the support band were playing. I’d never heard them before but nothing about them particularly grabbed me, though to be fair the swirling conditions didn’t help them. I wasn’t too bothered about whether the support was good or not. I was hear for the Manics.

The Holy Bible performed in the sunshine and in such a big open space was always going to be a different experience to the claustrophobic assault on the senses that was the December tour. As James unleashes himself full throttle into Yes it’s clear that us at the front are having the time of our lives and you could almost sense a little bewilderment from beyond our shoulders. IfWhiteAmerica’s guitar slays and we all shout the collective vitriol to Of Walking Abortion. James’ luck with guitars for the night start to go wrong during the furious solo of Archives Of Pain as a string snaps he looks up bemused and says “Guitar’s gone!” but they bluff their way too the end. “That’s his best solo as well!” Nicky mocks with his evil grin. Truth be told, until Revol charges in, the sound is a bit too quiet for my liking. However, as with the Roundhouse shows The Holy Bible live experience really truly starts shattering your soul from song number six. The middle section to Revol is pure guitar porn and by now the groups of drunken lads, who are the only real down point of the night are vying for space down the front.

4st 7ibs, for such a deeply personal song about anorexia really does seem to get universal appeal. Even the butch security guard (who I shall name Bob) in front of the stage is lost in his own world singing along. Good chap. What follows is mesmerising. Nicky continuing to pace the stage as Mausoleum rages and faster almost crumbles under its own intensity. As for This Is Yesterday, it felt truly magical as the sun setting further gave it a more beautiful ambience than its ever had before. Die In The Summertime never fails to slay live, it’s barbed chords and roar are fierce as hell.

Can we, for one moment talk about Mooro? His drumming right now is out of the realm, sounding harder and quicker than ever. His mean marching beat to The Intense Humming Of Evil is sensational. This song, an unexpected high point of The Holy Bible live experience. And so to P.C.P , another powerhouse effort from Sean as James just about keeps in control of the fast paced diatribe.

After a quick interval James is back donning his acoustic flagged by a string quartet and leading a stirring rendition of The Everlasting. Bob, once again singing along merrily. It’s wonderful. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Bradfield needs to do a show with just him, an acoustic guitar and a string quartet. I’d be there in an instant and blubbing away through the whole damn thing. Motorcycle emptiness has a real power to it and an impressive Walk Me To The Bridge is received so much better than on previous outings.

There are some curve balls on offer. In recent times the band have started to enjoy varying their set up more and Condemned To Rock N’ Roll (or “one long guitar solo” as Nicky puts it) is staggering. To see James tear through the outro with no words to hinder or get in the way. It sounds so kick ass and heavy. Sex, Love, Power And Money is another surprise. It’s great fun but I do feel Futurology has been undersold and overlooked by the band considering how proud they seem to be of it. I fear I’ll never see Let’s Go To War or Black Square live. Removables was another pleasant surprise but the crowd strangely didn’t seem to take to it. Golden Platitudes was the final twist of the night. Dedicated to “anyone with post election blues” (me for sure) it sounded massive and better than on the Postcards tour where they never seemed to quite nail it.

I’m never against a rendition of You Stole The Sun From My Heart because it’s so great to bounce along to. Or would be if the people out of their heads were capable of doing anything other than flailing about and clattering into you. They are the reason my back is in total agony right now. As For Your Love Alone, yeah that can leave the set now please. Thanks.

You Love Us is proceeded by James doing a Hendrix of the Welsh national anthem as ten thousand mostly drunk people tried to remember the words loudly. It was quite a moment. And as James bids us goodbye (“be careful out there, I know what Cardiff can get like on a Friday night”) we are united further with an even more epic than it normally is version of A Design For Life. So pumped up on passion and stirred on to even greater things by the surroundings and sense of occasion. Amid the feedback Nicky vainly throws his bass about and his last attempt seems to land on James’ pedals. Probably with a mix of annoyance and “let me show you how it’s done” Bradfield picks it up and tries to smash it, each crash against the stage greeted with cheers. With a look on his face that says “I’ve committed to this now and thousands are watching” he finally breaks the thing in half and with relief states “toughest fucking guitar in the world”. It’s even funnier than the finale of the Manic Millennium.

And so they are gone, probably for a while as realistically it’ll be a couple or so years until new material surfaces and tours are announced. If they ever happen. After each era I always have a deep fear that it is their last. I’m glad The Holy Bible era is now over so they can start looking to the future again. Was tonight the best they’ve ever played? No, it’s not even the best they’ve played The Holy Bible but as a sense of occasion and importance this will always be a night to be remembered.I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Afterwards we attended the Manic Street Mania aftershow, where my request for Prologue To History wasn’t played, and I, somewhat against my will got dressed in a camo turban. We then went to an “alternative rock” club here all the music sounded like nu metal played by boy bands. I honestly had no idea nu metal was still a thing. Thank God for alcohol. Then onto a club at 3:30am because it was the only one still open. We were offered pills by a very happy man but we decided to stick with the tequila. AT 5;30am, only two of us were left standing but got kicked out of the club (because it was closing not because we were being naughty). Leaving a club drunk and walking into warm, bright daylight is a very odd experience. We then had a discussion with a pigeon which we confused for a seagull. What a wonderful time to be alive.

Manic Street Preachers.
I love you one time.
I love you two time.
I love you three time.
Get pissed.
Destroy.
Tequila. I love you a bit less.
May your God go with with you.