Some TV shows rumble along year after year without grabbing headlines or awards, shows that have loyal followers yet are somehow under the radar of most viewers. Wild At Heart, returning for its sixth series this Sunday (ITV1, 8.30pm), would fit under this banner. It only really hits the headlines when one of its main stars leaves (Amanda Holden) or is killed in an unfortunate real-life lightening incident (poor Hamley the giraffe).
The simple premise of 'suburban UK vet moves his whole family to Africa' sounds fine. But upon viewing this series opener, it feels like a scenario that is rapidly running out of steam. Danny and Alice are honeymooning in London--helpfully signposted by obvious shots of St Paul's and Tower Bridge. A meeting with Danny's father Robert reveals a troubled relationship due to the older man leaving Danny's mum twenty years earlier.
A sudden catastrophe back home means the couple return to Africa with Robert in tow. It's at this point that preconceptions about Wild At Heart being a cosy show are shattered, as there are some grim developments for animal-loving viewers.
The clichés soon come thick and fast, however: ten points to the first person to guess why papa Trevanion has chosen to make contact with his estranged son. We also have a character being given another chance after a spell in prison, and a surprise labour where the husband is the one panicking.
The plot is very predictable, which is a drawback when recent Sunday night dramas have raised their game. And the script is woeful at times, especially the dialogue of crusty old Anders. It's also hard to warm to most of the characters--they're not horrible, but neither are they particularly warm or convincing as a family unit.
But maybe none of that matters: Wild At Heart will doubtless carry on doing what it does, while the rest of us patiently wait for more Downton Abbey.
Comments