Has anybody watched the new Wallander series on PBS Masterpiece Mystery?

[csziggy]

I want to like it - I like Kenneth Branaugh and the characters and the plots seem good. But the background sound/noise/music(?) is horrible and is giving me a headache. Maybe I am turning into my parents and it is supposed to be music but to me it is just a discordant noise that sounds like it belongs in a factory that doesn't grease its machinery! I am having trouble following the plot since the noise is so distracting.

If anyone else has watched, what do you think? If this is a new form of music, I may have to learn to appreciate it!

[CBHagman]

1. Strange as it sounds, I hadn't noticed the music...

...though I was driven insane by the humming in the theme music/score for The Jury, an otherwise excellent Masterpiece offering of a few years back.

Frankly, I haven't really gotten into the Wallander series, for all that I like Kenneth Branagh and Mystery! I think it's been the disturbing nature of the crimes that's kept me from getting involved -- plus I'm very distracted by things I'm doing about the house, to be frank.

I'm going to try again next time they air an episode, though.

[csziggy]

3. I checked the Wiki article on the series

And the one tonight was the second of only three. They are supposed to film three more this summer. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallander_(TV_series)) According to the article, "Martin Phipps composed the soundtrack to the series." I looked him up and don't see much about him.

If there is only one more, I'll try to watch. As I said, the characters and plots seem interesting - the ending of this one surprised me.

[BarenakedLady]

2. I didn't notice it

This was the second one I've watched. Then again, I was also reading/posting on DU so I tend to miss a lot. Heh.

[lynnpotter]

4. Wallander sound

I have read all of Wallander mysteries and thought them brilliant.

I had seen one of the Swedish TV shows and was very disappointed because they changed the book completely. The Wallander actor was very good, but they really destroyed the tale.

Now this version. Kept to the book as closely as one could do and loved Kenneth Branaugh as Wallander, but the NOISE ruins it. I hope we are not the only two people who object to this mayhem in the background. They can edit the levels I am sure. Hope there are many objections so they do so.

These books are a statement of the changing of Swedish (or any Western society) life and values. They are beautifully written and, to me, show new insights into some of the problems of which we are part without even being aware of the messes. The other books by Henning Mankell are wonderful and I would recommend him to anyone who wants to wake up a bit.

[csziggy]

9. Maybe we're hearing higher frequencies?

As alfredo suggested. I'll see how I do next Sunday and try putting the sound through my stereo receiver. I can change the levels on that and see if it makes a difference.

I read that Branaugh is making another three of the series this summer!

[supernova]

5. I want to like it

but I'm having a hard time with it.

I think it has to do with watching British actors trying to be rural Swedes. :rofl:

It hasn't come into focus for me yet.

[JitterbugPerfume]

6. I like it

I haven't noticed annoying background noise , But I am sure I will from now on.

[alfredo]

7. I didn't really notice the music and I usually pay attention to things

like that. Actually, I like it a lot. It seems more like Cinema than TV.


If you can, adjust the sound to see if you can filter out various tones. I have tinnitus so I might be missing some high tones.

[csziggy]

8. That is a good idea - next time rather than listen through the TV speakers

I'll run it through the receiver and play with the settings. I'm very sensitive to very high and low frequencies. I can hear bat calls and dog whistles. So maybe the 'noise' I am hearing is beyond what most people hear.

[alfredo]

10. I just happened to have a lucid moment, so don't expect many more good

ideas. My wife is very sensitive to high pitched sound, so I've become very good at using an equalizer.