I have to say that in the end, Psychoville disappointed me.
And that's a hard thing to say, when three of my heroes were in it and the overall series was so well done.
I believe my disappointment essentially came from the fact that they made it up as they went along. Which in my mind made it little better than Coronation Street (where long-term characters
change character on the whim of a new writer) or
Lost (of the latter, Sixth Form drama classes have come up with more coherent improvs!)
The thing is, these are intelligent, well-read, well-versed-in-TV-scriptwriting and horror-film-buff men. They could have woven an intricate plotline with ideas seeded all the way through it. With clues and red herrings that would make even Miss Marple choke on the bones. Imagine a darkly funny comedy/drama where you rewatch the first episode and say, "OMG! That's what that was about!" That was what I really expected from this. I wanted to see something new on the second, third, fourth viewing. I wanted the writing to be
informed.
YES it was funny. YES, it was dark, although they hate that sobriquet. And YES it was well acted and polished. But the story lacked cohesion. I know these writers don't spoon-feed their audiences - that's part of their appeal - but there were enough dangling ends to delight Shelob. They are capable of so much more. At least I think they are. The League series three at least suggested that. Perhaps Gatiss could have had more involvement, his novels at least display an aptitude towards planning.
I am being unfair I suppose. The series was not written in advance - it was bought on the basis of the pilot and seems to have been written piecemeal. To the extent that a seventh episode (which became episode 4) was shoehorned in at a later stage - although still pre-production - purely to raise a budget to be used on other episodes. Yup, it was a good'un. But that's no way to run a railroad. And no way to make a potential cult classic.
Now you know I am a Torchwood fan, but the budget spent on promoting the first series of that show would surely have been better spent on encouraging original work like this? Although of course, they would have to go back in time in order to do so
It bugs me that the Beeb would skimp on the talents involved in this show.
And I think it shows that they did - certainly where the writing process is involved.
I believe Steve and Reece could have put together something absolutely spectacular in scope, given a bit more faith and a bit more money earlier in the process.
I will treasure some cracking dialogue, set pieces, imagery.
But the ending, in the end, means it's only a bit of fluff.