Re Black Cat stories (strictly speaking 'off topic', but it came up so.....) I lived for about 20 years on the Hertfordshire /Essex border, and over the years there were a number of fairly solid stories of sightings of large black cats. A couple of train drivers reported seeing such a creature in fields next to the track at different times. A local man claimed to have seen one inside an old caravan parked on his land, and used mainly as a shed- he withdrew, and when he returned later it had gone, but there were black hairs on the seat cover, which apparently were tested and found to be indicative of a large species of cat. A family out biking in the woods came round a corner to see a very large cat crossing the path in front of them. A tree surgeon working in the woods once found curious scratch marks on the trunk of some trees which looked like large cat scratches- he then felt he was being watched and turned to see a large black cat watching him through the trees. He leaped into his truck for safety and remained there until it seemed to have gone. The fact that he was someone who worked regulalry in the woods lent some credance to his story, as he was unlikely to be spooked by nothing. Most interesting was the time Gordon Ramsey had a couple of lambs which were being raised on land in the area killed by some sort of preditory animal. When he had the remains analysed the teeth marks were judged to be cat-like rather than any other preditor. He then spent a day in our town quizzing locals about stories they'd heard of a local Black Cat- it was on TV at the time. Caroline's Research Hub: April Fool's Day seems to have quite a complex origin - but is definitely referenced in various places from the early 16th century across Europe. There are earlier medieval references but these are a bit more uncertain. I really love that when Alison is telling Mike she can't see the ghosts she refers to it as her 'Gift' which is in such contrast to her intial reaction when she realises in Series 1 that she can see them all. Back then she'd probably have described it as a curse. I also love the whole Joy Kielty/ Mike storyline - the story of the lightning strike does sound so utterly ridiculous- and Anna Crilley does a fantastic job of keeping straightfaced and serious throughout. I have some misgivings about the Thomas prank- it seems really cruel.......the others are all clearly a bit of fun, but that seems too mean. I watched a video from the recent Comic Con apprearance by Laurence and Matt in which they were asked about which bits are improv-ed, and apparently the bit in the kitchen where Pat is explaining to Alison that he is no push-over is largely improv. the bit where he shows she's in the palm of his hand was scripted, but then the whole eating her up and swallowing was all improv- and he was surprised it all made it into the final cut.
It's definitely Samantha Fox as we know Julian is a fan. He mentions in S1 she was his Free Pass because of her enormous 'talent' - yes she was a page 3 girl 1983-6 (his wife picked 3 of the Gladiators). Alison gave him a Samantha Fox calendar last christmas. I don't think you would hear any ghosts on the recording even if there were any since the ghost hunters never got to hear Pat and Thomas on Button FM. I'm with Maryanne on pranks. I haven't been pranked but never understood them. Agree with her about the Mike storyline also and love creepy Pat. I've encountered a number of episodes of shows that I don't tend to watch, unless I'm going through in order, because I don't like the A story but find I miss out on great stuff from the other storylines.
I absolutely loath April Fool pranks. I have been pranked and laughed hysterically and forcedly like our Thomas did in this episode and I have been pranked and burst into tears like Allison. Neither are good memories, so I found this episode a little triggering the first time through. There is a fine line between poking fun and being mean. After a couple viewings I can now see and laugh at the funny bits. I do think the Thomas prank was downright mean though. Mike and the insurance agent are spectacularly well-played. Ending with the pregnancy reveal leads us down the road to the future....so much will change! So not my favorite BBC Ghost episode. 5/10 for me, and that was for the insurance adjustor and Mike.
Re Black Cat stories (strictly speaking 'off topic', but it came up so.....)
I lived for about 20 years on the Hertfordshire /Essex border, and over the years there were a number of fairly solid stories of sightings of large black cats. A couple of train drivers reported seeing such a creature in fields next to the track at different times. A local man claimed to have seen one inside an old caravan parked on his land, and used mainly as a shed- he withdrew, and when he returned later it had gone, but there were black hairs on the seat cover, which apparently were tested and found to be indicative of a large species of cat. A family out biking in the woods came round a corner to see a very large cat crossing the path in front of them. A tree surgeon working in the woods once found curious scratch marks on the trunk of some trees which looked like large cat scratches- he then felt he was being watched and turned to see a large black cat watching him through the trees. He leaped into his truck for safety and remained there until it seemed to have gone. The fact that he was someone who worked regulalry in the woods lent some credance to his story, as he was unlikely to be spooked by nothing. Most interesting was the time Gordon Ramsey had a couple of lambs which were being raised on land in the area killed by some sort of preditory animal. When he had the remains analysed the teeth marks were judged to be cat-like rather than any other preditor. He then spent a day in our town quizzing locals about stories they'd heard of a local Black Cat- it was on TV at the time.
Caroline's Research Hub:
April Fool's Day seems to have quite a complex origin - but is definitely referenced in various places from the early 16th century across Europe. There are earlier medieval references but these are a bit more uncertain.
I really love that when Alison is telling Mike she can't see the ghosts she refers to it as her 'Gift' which is in such contrast to her intial reaction when she realises in Series 1 that she can see them all. Back then she'd probably have described it as a curse.
I also love the whole Joy Kielty/ Mike storyline - the story of the lightning strike does sound so utterly ridiculous- and Anna Crilley does a fantastic job of keeping straightfaced and serious throughout.
I have some misgivings about the Thomas prank- it seems really cruel.......the others are all clearly a bit of fun, but that seems too mean.
I watched a video from the recent Comic Con apprearance by Laurence and Matt in which they were asked about which bits are improv-ed, and apparently the bit in the kitchen where Pat is explaining to Alison that he is no push-over is largely improv. the bit where he shows she's in the palm of his hand was scripted, but then the whole eating her up and swallowing was all improv- and he was surprised it all made it into the final cut.
It's definitely Samantha Fox as we know Julian is a fan. He mentions in S1 she was his Free Pass because of her enormous 'talent' - yes she was a page 3 girl 1983-6 (his wife picked 3 of the Gladiators). Alison gave him a Samantha Fox calendar last christmas. I don't think you would hear any ghosts on the recording even if there were any since the ghost hunters never got to hear Pat and Thomas on Button FM.
I'm with Maryanne on pranks. I haven't been pranked but never understood them. Agree with her about the Mike storyline also and love creepy Pat. I've encountered a number of episodes of shows that I don't tend to watch, unless I'm going through in order, because I don't like the A story but find I miss out on great stuff from the other storylines.
I absolutely loath April Fool pranks. I have been pranked and laughed hysterically and forcedly like our Thomas did in this episode and I have been pranked and burst into tears like Allison. Neither are good memories, so I found this episode a little triggering the first time through. There is a fine line between poking fun and being mean. After a couple viewings I can now see and laugh at the funny bits. I do think the Thomas prank was downright mean though. Mike and the insurance agent are spectacularly well-played. Ending with the pregnancy reveal leads us down the road to the future....so much will change! So not my favorite BBC Ghost episode. 5/10 for me, and that was for the insurance adjustor and Mike.