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Post by raggedbone on Jul 27, 2008 17:11:56 GMT
Hello there, I've had rather a good idea ... well actually I didn't - someone else did on a 'Doctor Who' website! - but it's a good idea nonetheless. I've put the numbers 1 to 94 into a computer randomiser - why the juggins have you done that, I hear you asking! Well I've numbered the episodes of T.Bag chronologically and the random number which this rather scientific bit of kit winkles out will give me a specific episode ... yes, I know, I should get out more, but there is a point! Whichever episode the randomiser picks out, I will post here and then review - and it would be rather nice if others did the same. What do you reckon? All good? I think it could lead to some pretty interesting discussions, debates, disagreements, etc! I'll carry on picking out random episodes to review once a fortnight (depending on how organised I am ... which isn't very at the moment!) and we'll see how it goes ;-). OK so the first number that's come out of the randomiser is 30, so that means the episode to review is ... T.BAG BOUNCES BACK - EPISODE 1 - THE OUSTING OF MAJOR HAPPY[/b][/u][/color] Not a bad first choice! If some of you don't have access to this episode, I've posted a fairly low-resolution copy to my Photobucket account - unfortunately I've had to put this in four parts, but you can find them all here: (EDIT: The captures have now been removed from photobucket. If anyone would like the episode re-uploaded (for a limited time), PM me and I'll see what I can do  ) Hope that all makes some sort of garbled sense! And I hope you think it's a good enough idea to have a crack at reviewing it ;-). Oh and this is my one-hundredth post - marvellous! All the best RB |
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Post by raggedbone on Aug 11, 2008 19:22:54 GMT
Oh dear -- since formulating the grand plan above, I've become somewhat busy and haven't had time to finish my own review of the first episode in time. The lack of response to my first post is a little disappointing, but oh well -- we'll still carry on . I've now chosen the second episode and I'll post it here on Friday (15/08/2008), while my review should follow in the next couple of days -- hope some of you also feel like posting . All the best, RB |
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Post by Jamie on Aug 13, 2008 13:06:51 GMT
I've been meaning to add my review for the past week or so but have now managed to get round to it. This is a great idea Raggedbone, hopefully more people will become involved - it gives us another reason to watch over some great episodes (another 93 to go). By the way shouldn't episode 30 be the last episode of Bounces Back?
Anyway on to my review:
Review of T-Bag Bounces Back Episode One
Watching the second series improve greatly from the first series was special so the start of the third series would need to be extra special and this episode (and the series) does not disappoint. The episode starts (as traditional from the first two series) with the curiosity shop but does not last many minutes before Thomas and Debbie get into the world of the music box. After the scary first episode of T-Bag Strikes Again with the very scary ‘T-Bag’ mannequin the opening scene in Bounces Back is just as scary, maybe even more so (I was only six years old at the time). T-Bag beckons Thomas into her world with the ever louder scream of ‘I said come here’. The opening scene sets the entire series to be somewhat darker than the last series but this only lasts a short while before the real fun commences.
T-Shirt now in the clutches of T-Bag but yet not under her wicked power is portrayed with some funny scenes, the foreshadowing of T-Shirt throwing paper aeroplanes (made from Major Happy’s music paper) out the window (these come in useful at the end of the series when Major Happy looks for the music that will destroy T-Bag) is subtle and not easily noticed (like I said I was only six at the time).
The story of T-Bag’s revival told by T-Bag to T-Shirt is another comic scene with her eating flowers to survive and making cups of tea out of anything until she discovers the new strain of T-Plant (that conveniently flourishes in the mountains), A High-T Plant. Major Happy recalls his events to Debbie at the same time and special mention must go to Tony Haygarth and his portrayal of Major Happy especially with the important musical score of ‘Who Made Ja Happy, Major Happy Made Ja Happy’ – one of my favourite songs from the entire nine series. Major Happy is one of the greatest anchor characters from the nine series mainly down to his performance alongside the rest of the regular cast.
Elizabeth Estensen as T-Bag is also on top form with some rather menacing lines and looks (case in point is when she casts her spell over T-Shirt when he says Debbie is his friend). John Hasler and Jennie Stallwood give their all in their performances. The cast make the programme (and the all important cardboard sets) real and tangible, the story set out as real and convinces the audience that Debbie must find the bells to destroy T-Bag.
The end of the episode that carries it into the episode for ‘next week’ makes a excellent cliff-hanger - we all worry that Debbie may not have such an easy time collecting the bells and therefore defeating T-Bag. The adventure is set with this superb episode and leads onto another great series of T-Bag, it’s clear to see why T-Bag became so hugely popular within only a few series.
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Post by raggedbone on Aug 13, 2008 17:40:23 GMT
Many, many thanks Jamie for going first - takes the pressure off me! Glad you like the idea - I hope more feel like posting in the future . Could make for some interesting discussuions. Oh dear - yes, I hadn't spotted that! Terrible though my grasp of numbers would appear, it's more a matter of memory. When I first floated this idea about three or four months ago, I picked out the first episode and made a note of it -- looking back on my paperwork, it does say No 21, rather than No 30 -- d'oh!! Oh well! The good thing is, now you've pointed that out it's saved me making a fool of myself for a second time as I'd incorrectly assigned the second number out of the randomiser to the wrong episode! Right, having dealt with my stupidity, my review should follow shortly ... although, be warned, it's a bit of a big 'un ... |
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Post by raggedbone on Aug 13, 2008 17:43:31 GMT
The T.Bag series is a marvel when you consider its tight budget, limited settings, minimal cast, etc. The fact that it managed to attract such huge audiences, ran for an incredible ninety-four episodes and is still, twenty years on, remembered with such fondness suggests there must have been something very magical about it. Over-analysis might well kill some of that magic … but what the heck!!
T.BAG BOUNCES BACK, EPISODE 1: ‘THE OUSTING OF MAJOR HAPPY’
Right, first to the plot: having survived the fate that befell her at the end of the last series (as she would time and time again in subsequent years) and with her powers restored, T.Bag sets up home in a music box. Having booted merry band leader Major Happy out from his mountain-top home, she very quickly has poor old T.Shirt back at her heel, brewing up her endless cups of tea; while once again, it’s up to Debbie to set off in search of the means to bring about T.Bag’s destruction (this time, eight gold bells) and to generally cause the rotten old harridan a lot of consternation.
It’s interesting to look at the lineage and development of T.Bag over its first three years. In Wonders in Letterland, as with many series, it’s very much trial and error with everything thrown haphazardly into the mix to see what works. In Series 2, T.Bag Strikes Again, the successful elements of this trial run (T.Bag, T.Shirt, Debbie and the treasure hunt) are retained and accentuated; those that were less successful (the over-arching educational bent) are abandoned; and some new elements (more guest performers, more action) work to make a very satisfying blend. T.Bag Strikes Again establishes the blueprint for pretty much every subsequent outing, while Series 3, T.Bag Bounces Back, offers a more refined take on it. The two are very similar, sharing a pantomimic tone, spoofing fairytale and folklore in that rather unique oddball fashion favoured by the writers. That’s not to say that one is an exact replica of the other; in T.Bag Bounces Back the formula is more honed, the scripts are sharper, and the cast and production team seem much more aware of what they can achieve with their resources. Had there not been some major changes in Turn on to T.Bag, this formula might have become a bit stale, but here it works perfectly well within the show’s development.
These opening episodes (especially this early on) are chock full of exposition and low on action. While the opening gambit of Series 1 walked us very slowly and painfully through the plot on one set, it’s two sequels tackle this free-flow of information by chopping the episode up very nicely across two locations (with the Curiosity Shop confined (as was usual) to just the first scene), adding flashback scenes to fill in some detail, and with the advantage of having T.Bag much more in the foreground. T.Bag Bounces Back is a slight improvement on the previous Episode 1, with shorter scenes, more cutting between the Village Square and the T.Room, and the addition of two flashbacks (one of which, showing T.Bag’s struggle sans-magic, is shot on a rare fourth set which looks suspiciously like the forest from Episode 7).
Whether this improved pace is down to the writing or the direction is debatable. While Pressman and Cathro’s script bristles with fun and betrays their growing experience with the format, there’s not really that much one can say about Leon Thau’s direction. Although there is some slight movement of the camera with tracking and panning shots, more often the direction is fairly pedestrian with a fair number of static long-shots, mid-shots and close-ups. This in turn leads to the actor’s movements seeming somewhat restricted and stilted. While it can’t be denied that he was responsible for a lot of what made T.Bag so special, he plays it very safe as a Director. The limited amount of time he had to make the series may have made this ‘safer’ style more attractive, but it’s interesting to note that in later series Glyn Edwards and Neville Green manage much more interesting things with similar constrictions.
The script is full of nice ideas (the music box, the world of music), sharp lines and delightful character moments. There are some interesting ‘series-arc’ threads introduced: as with the gold letters and silver numbers, there is the mystery of what powers the bells possess that makes T.Bag so afraid of them; and the significance of the paper aeroplanes is neatly set up, to be paid-off in the final episode.
T.Bag is, as always, in control at the start of the series and Elizabeth Estensen is marvellous at conveying this proud, haughty power-mad fiend at the top of her game: wicked, triumphant and petulant, setting herself up for the gradual drawn-out failure of her plans that will inevitably follow, with some wonderfully funny lines to go with it. ‘We must be kind to dumb animals’ she chides of Debbie. She also has a couple of rare sinister moments with the kidnapping of Thomas and her later hypnotic bending of his will. Poor old John Hasler is still very much the naïve innocent here, all wide-eyed and eager to please his employer. Their celebrated sparring banter hasn’t really got into swing this early in the series, but their rapport is nevertheless as charming as ever. Jennie Stallwood is back and looking more grown-up than in her previous appearances. For a child actress with a limited range, she puts in a good, solid performance, her confrontation scene with T.Bag being a high-point. Better actresses would take on the ‘treasure hunter’ role in later years, but the conflict between T.Bag and Debbie was never really equalled with subsequent recasting.
While T.Bag and T.Shirt retain their splendid costumes from the previous series (albeit slightly modified), poor old Debbie’s plonked into another ghastly yellow and gold monstrosity. Much as I like Raymond Childe’s work, why anyone would think a girl with flame red hair would look good in such garish colours is beyond me. Oh well, it was the eighties!
As this series’ recurring character, Tony Haygarth is really quite splendid as jolly, dotty old Major Happy. While Roy Barraclough seemed a little too aware of the series’ pantomime elements the previous year, Haygarth (as with all the best actors in T.Bag) manages to keep an ounce of subtlety with what is essentially a totally off-the-wall character. The script gives him some lovely lines as well, with his ‘what I mean to say is’ and ‘I should cocoa’. He delivers my favourite funny line from this episode; when spotting T.Bag’s particularly sour expression, he notes: ‘A severe case of the doldrums, I’d say. I’m going to have to find something pretty special to cheer you up.’
The musical theme of this series is really quite endearing and in this establishing effort, we’re inevitably treated to a Terry Trower number, as sung by Major Happy. While it’s true Tony Haygarth bellows his way tunelessly through the song (and fails to hit the plastic ‘gold’ bells in time to the music), it doesn’t spoil quite a jolly little piece.
While much of the series was shot in the same limited space which hosted the likes of Rainbow, John Plant’s wonderfully painted scenery, whilst taking away any sense of realism, really evokes the larger-than-life fantasy-land that the writers were aiming for. While the Curiosity Shop is reliably familiar, gloomy and half-lit, T.Bag’s latest line in T.Rooms is arguably the best yet. These rounder sets always gave a better use of space (as with Revenge and Pearls); and the décor is very fitting for Estensen’s T.Bag with its sumptuous furnishings, drapes, and gold and cream colour scheme. Compared with the town in T.Bag Strikes Again, the Village Square here also makes better use of the space; it’s less abstract than before and the scenery is cleverly placed (Major Happy’s castle, high at the back) to add depth. OK so when the characters get too close to the back flats, one can see that the perspective is out, but it doesn’t spoil it. Mention should also be made of the musical box itself and the intricate little paintings of future locations on its side.
Where special effects are concerned, this episode is quite low on disappearances and reappearances. T.Bag’s arrival in Major Happy’s quarters, swathed in a familiar crackle of lightning, is rather effective. Of particular note is Thomas’s kidnapping: bathed in a sinister green glow, T.Bag’s face is superimposed on to the music box and grows to fill the screen. With Estensen ranting angrily at Thomas, it has to be one of the most sinister moments in the whole series. The ‘think small’ effect can’t help but raise an affectionate giggle. They’ve used a slightly more convincing doll on this occasion, but it’s still clearly a doll. It’s one of those reassuringly ‘naff’ half-arsed things that makes eighties childrens’ telly so appealing! Sound effects and music are, as always, simple, effective stock pieces (all ‘brrrrrriings’ and ‘boo-boo-boo’-s) which, these days, leave one with a lovely warm nostalgic glow.
All in all, it’s a humdinger of an episode and a marvellous start to the series, with a slicker pace than before, a more polished script, production values which keep getting better, and consistently good performances from the cast.
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Post by raggedbone on Aug 13, 2008 18:15:26 GMT
Marvellous review Jamie . I avoided reading yours till I'd posted mine and it's nice to see that we've covered a lot of the same points - although you have to get through a lot of waffle in mine! So much waffle, in fact, that I'd completely forgotten to mention the new T-Plant and the cliffhanger ending!! So ... while it's nice that they're still keeping up the continuity of the T.Plants, I found the name 'Maximusbreupacuppa' and it's description (enchanted T-Weed - he he!) a little more amusing - although I have to agree, the scene of T.Bag eating the flower and brewing up with a cauldron are really funny. As for the cliffhanger, I really missed these when they didn't continue them in the next series. I remember being quite affected by this at the time (I was six as well!!) and it's still very effective now (love those screechy violin tracks they use!) As promised, will post the new episode and links to photobucket on Friday - and if anyone else fancies posting one, please do - all views welcome RB |
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Post by Jamie on Aug 14, 2008 10:21:12 GMT
Well done on the review Raggedbone, you've certainly gone into more depth than I did - there were so many things I could have mentioned, these first episodes from the series seem to have a lot to mention as they set up the rest of the series.
Glad you cleared up the mistaken episode number - we don't want to miss out on episode 10 of this series - it's a great ending to this sublime series, but discussions on that will have to wait until we get to that episode sometime in the future!
Let's hope others can join in and we'll see what others think of this episode? Looking forward to the next episode, I wonder which one it will be?
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kmd2004
T-Caddy Academy Student
Posts: 18
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Post by kmd2004 on Aug 14, 2008 13:24:40 GMT
ast your minds back to the late eighties and sit down infront of the then "respectable" CITV and you may recalll one of the best "TEA" riffic shows that was ever produced by the mighty and sadly no longer "Thames Television". Still not sure what i'm referring to? Well it's The adventures of a little girl, a boy and an evil Witch by the name of "T BAG" If you don't remember this then let me remind you. T Bag was anevil witch like character with magical powers and a tendance to "Crack thunder" when she was in a particluary bad mood.
" T Bag bounces back" is a particulary good season, the third one wherby she sets up home in a musical box, where she ousts the very jolly bell playing "Major happy" from his home. The season sees the return of John Hasler as "T shirt" T bags' assistant and Jennie Stalwood as the rather know all and somewhat annoying Debbie. The series opening is as ever full of curiosity in the shop, whereby T - shirt (known here as Thomas before going under T Bags spell) discovers a musical box that doesn
't sem to work, suddenly that awful face of that well known witch starts shouting and banshes Thomas to her new T room. Debbie then comes back and discovers that Thomas is no longer there. She also plays with the musical box where she then discovers Major Happy who tells her some of the tale. Debbie guesses that T bag is back so manages to get herself inside the musical box.
As usual in this episode the plot unfolds that YT bag hates music and her first appearance into this strange and new land is where she "cracks thunder"(a partcularly superb feature that makes part of T bag who she is) and enters Major happys home. He playsb his golden bells , but she can't stand it then suddenly with one click of her fingers they're gone. T ba makes his jhome her new home and banishes him outside.
Debbie has a long chat with Major Happya nd decides to o and see T bag because she is determined to get his home back(or rather silly enough to think that she can get his home back).Unsuccesfuly she is now determined in her own i'm not afraid of you T bag way) to getb the golden bells bac kand so she sets off into the unknown.
This the third series of T bag has the typical but h so ever wexciting elements of the second series withb a great introduction to the series. T Bag is as evil as ever and Elisabeth Estesent playsb her with such passion and theres never a scene that seems "unreal". John is still the cheecky little boy who really does get on T Bags nerves but in a way she would be even more unsuccesul without him,(especially as she STILL cannot make a decent cup of Tea) The new Tea room is alillte more simpoler than the previous 2 series but retains the important features of the T plant and her "cup and saucer" in which she can keep track of who is doing what to whom. The costumes are relatively the same but they still stand out fabulously. The opening episode sets out the scenario well with less waffle" than previous series. Find out next time to see what happens as Debbie enters the desert.
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kmd2004
T-Caddy Academy Student
Posts: 18
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Post by kmd2004 on Aug 14, 2008 13:25:31 GMT
Ok i've done mine i'm ot the most imaginative in the world but i think i've summed it up quite well.
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Post by raggedbone on Aug 14, 2008 14:25:49 GMT
Well done on the review Raggedbone, you've certainly gone into more depth than I did - there were so many things I could have mentioned, these first episodes from the series seem to have a lot to mention as they set up the rest of the series. Glad you cleared up the mistaken episode number - we don't want to miss out on episode 10 of this series - it's a great ending to this sublime series, but discussions on that will have to wait until we get to that episode sometime in the future! Let's hope others can join in and we'll see what others think of this episode? Looking forward to the next episode, I wonder which one it will be? Ha ha -- you know me -- never use one word where one-million will do! You'd think after a year at university learning to be more concise with essays, I might have learnt something! Yes, absolutely -- the ending to this series is one of the best, certainly the top one from the first three series ... but I'll talk about that another time ... Well, not long to wait now -- and at least I now have the right episode to go with the right number! RB |
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Post by raggedbone on Aug 14, 2008 14:28:45 GMT
Ok i've done mine i'm ot the most imaginative in the world but i think i've summed it up quite well. Hello there kmd2004, Glad to have you on board and marvellous to see your review . Again it's nice to see we share a lot of the same views on the episode. I share your sentiments at the passing of Thames Television and CITV - does ITV actually make any quality TV anymore? And I agree - out of the first three series, I think this is the best series with some wonderful moments. I'm posting the next episode tomorrow so do give us your thoughts on that one as well if you're willing RB |
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Post by raggedbone on Aug 14, 2008 14:58:26 GMT
OK, at Jamie's rather good siggestion, I've added a poll to this page and I'll carry on adding them to subsequent reviews. The little tags by the ratings are lines spoken by T.Bag about various cups of her favourite brew in various episodes -- doesn't make much sense, but I thought it was a nice touch . If you don't feel like adding a review yourself, now you can just click a button and give the episode a rating out of five All the best, RB |
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Post by raggedbone on Dec 8, 2008 15:34:12 GMT
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chrissy
Member of The T-Set
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Post by chrissy on Dec 10, 2008 12:11:24 GMT
Thankies for posting that back up again Paul! Right my review let me see, I liked the ep and I loved T bag and T Shirt going at it again at the beginning with T Bag forcing Thomas to be her Tea Caddy. Its always refreashing to see Debbie since this is her last T Bag Series and to see the great rivary between T Bag and Debbie one last time. I've noticed in the Talulah Tag years we don't know why Tallulah hates the bells and the numbers - They could destroy in the last ep of each Tallulah series except the High Tea Spoons which she wanted for power and that series is the only Tallulah series we find out why Tallulah wanted those spoons unlike her other series, whereas with the Tabatha years we knew from the first ep why Tabatha wanted the pearls, rings and sunstones - Power. Overall I loved this ep and I give it a 8 out of 10 cos the ending to the ep was just not as good as the others I've seen! Thankies again for putting this up Paul. Chrissy  |
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Post by raggedbone on Dec 10, 2008 14:46:34 GMT
Hi Chrissy, No worries . And nice one on the review . I won't spoil you too much because I don't know how much you've seen, but during Series 1 to 3, the scattered objects are a threat to T.Bag -- the reason why they are a threat is left a mystery till later on ... and in Series 4, Turn on to T.Bag, it's made explicit very early on why T.Bag fears the crystals; but then, in my opinion anyway, T.Bag's plot is more important in that particular series. Revenge's quest turns all that on its head as it's now T.Bag who needs the objects for her own gain; and it's such a good idea that it's not surprising that the writers chose to use it for two of the three Georgina Hale series, where this kind of quest was involved. All the best, RB . |
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