I love firsts.
I do engage with the rest of a series: if a story idea or a bunch of characters ‘grab’ me, I will read all of the books available. Or if I love the author’s style, I will avidly consume all of their output, like all their other fans, eagerly waiting for each new release.
But when it comes to any series, I’m in love with first glances. I think I just love the potential – the range of possibilities that are present right from the outset, the sheer number of choices the author can choose. I love that first time we meet each character, especially recurring characters. I love ‘seeing’ the setting for the first time, getting it fixed in my imagination. I get that buzz of anticipation as the characters assemble and the action begins – it’s really like watching a stage play and seeing the curtain go up and the action begin.
That’s why I go back to the first book time and time again. I will reread the first book many times, and where very often I will only read subsequent books once before I move on to the next, I will read book one many many times.
The problem is, if I find I don’t like the way an author develops her or his series, I will very likely stop reading. Sometimes I might give them a second chance, and reread the offending volume that turned my interest off, but the problem is there are sooooo many books and sooooo little time!
I’m the same with TV shows. I have watched episode one of many series repeatedly, whilst only watching the rest two or three times. I sit there full of anticipation, even though I know what is going to happen. It’s a bit like when your child wants the same bedtime story over and over again. They know every word by heart and every picture. Heaven forbid you try to sneakily miss a page out or you summarise some of the paragraphs. They KNOW!
I love first albums, I love first songs, poems, films, TV series. I just love setting out on the journey and walking towards the unknown.
Here are some firsts I love:
The first Bourne film – The Bourne Identity. The others are good, but this one grabs me from the outset.
The first Timothy Dalton-as-James-Bond film – The Living Daylights (‘whoa oh oh oh the living daylights…) The chemistry between James B and his lovely cellist is perfectly achieved, and the humour and action are second to none.
The first episode of Vera – Hidden Depths – where we meet Ann Cleeves’ wonderful (but curmudgeonly, and terminally disinterested in her appearance) detective Vera Stanhope. And lest we forget, the scrumptious David Leon in the role of sidekick Joe Ashworth.
The first episode of Death in Paradise: We meet DI Richard Poole – another curmudgeonly yet (I think) lovable and definitely smart character as he arrives on the scene already complaining the weather and his lost luggage. (Note: I think it’s a missed opportunity that they killed off this character instead of merely sending him back to London where he could have presided over a new spin-off series. Guys, what were you thinking? And here’s my top tip for the next incarnation of the show: stop sending out white senior officers (we’re over that now) and bring out a black guy or girl from London, who resents the insinuation he/she should embrace getting ‘back to his/her roots’, and allow the island to slowly work it’s charm on him/her. Also, have a white sergeant as support, who will always be assumed to be the senior officer…but you’ll have to do it in a light cheeky way – we don’t want to ruin the ambience of the series. And whatever you do don’t let Selwyn retire, we love Don Warrington. Just sayin’.)
The first series of Shetland.
The first series of Endeavour.
The first episode of Lewis. The way we meet Sergeant – now Inspector Lewis as he returns (again from the Caribbean!) and we are so anxious to find out what has happened in the intervening years since the end of Morse, and we yearn for him to find happiness once more. Plus, you know, great mystery at the sleep institute. Also, incidental music that is Muse’s Hysteria.
New stuff:
We’ve been enjoying Whistable Pearl (with the amazing Kerry Godliman in the lead role! Yes she acts!) based on Julie Wassmer’s books, and also featuring huge sexy hunk Howard Charles as the detective we hope/assume she will fall for. Which she pretty much already has.
And of course Madame Blanc starring Sally Lindsay who is also the brains behind the whole series and my husband’s secret (but I know all about it) crush. Also with Steve Edge (my secret crush – not sure if hubby knows…). You just hope they are going to get together. which they pretty much already are…
Oh yes, I read too…more on that another time!
***