Watching the detective
Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at 8:38 There was an amusing scene in the second episode of Strike: The Cuckoo's Calling, on BBC One last night.
Set in a central London pub, it featured Tom Burke, playing private investigator Cormoran Strike, and Holliday Grainger as Strike's "intelligent and resourceful new temp" Robin Ellacott.
Confessing he was a "wee bit pissed", Strike had a cigarette between his lips and was asking "Have you got a light?" when it was gently removed by his assistant who reminded him, in a non-hectoring way, "You can't smoke in here."
To which Strike groaned and replied: "They've ruined pubs. Pubs used to be bloody brilliant."
Strike: The Cuckoo's Calling is based on a book by Robert Galbraith which, as most people now know, is a pseudonym for J K Rowling who is also credited as executive producer on the TV adaptation.
The third and final part is on Sunday. Worth watching, not least for the likeable lead characters.
The real question though is not 'Whodunnit?' but 'Has J K Rowling just revealed her thoughts on the smoking ban?'
Reader Comments (3)
I saw that too and I was surprised to find JK Rowling had written that line.
Did you also watch the 6 part thriller Fearless recently? The main character played by Helen McCrory just ignored the ban in the office, and in hotels and other public places. She simply opened a window and no one complained. Maybe drama makers are having one last say on freedom of choice before they are forced to censor smoking out of all productions in future - by order of state antismoker phillistines.
The brilliant MCCrory also appears through a haze of atmospheric smoke in post WW 1 smoker friendly Peaky Blinders due back on our screens soon.
Strike was smoking in his office. Ash won't be happy. Over five million viewers.
Smoking bans have ruined pubs and bars worldwide. They are now in the process of ruining patios and sidewalk cafes. It's time to stop the persecution of smokers.