# Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016 BBC Series) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 21, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246 "2016-10-21T15:19:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/41 "2016-11-12T15:58:20Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > You’re absolutely correct but I’ve already let it go. It helps that they don’t even TRY aside from a few throw-away lines in the first episode and the general “interconnectedness of things” concept. The show and the novels hold very distinct places in my mind with no overlap. > > In my opinion, Adams’ concepts don’t translate well to film anyway – too much relies on vivid and surreal descriptions/comparisons in the narration – so I’m happier that they didn’t really try. > > I haven’t seen the 3rd episode yet. I’m a week behind but thought Ep 2 was coming together nicely. My wife seemed to appreciate the tangible demonstration of the assassin’s powers as that was something concrete she could wrap her mind around instead of all the randomness. I’ll probably get there. It’s just the cognitive dissonance is a little rough for me right now. It’s probable that I’m more familiar with the books than 90% of viewers. But it’s weird to see a character that I’ve always considered to be an Alfred Molina type being played by Benedict Cumberbatch on speed. And I think Dirk not being portrayed as ALWAYS trying to find out how a given situation personally benefits him makes the character a bit one dimensional. On the other hand, the Holistic Assasin is perfect and amazing. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/42 "2016-11-12T17:57:09Z")
Yeah, oddly, I think Dirk himself is the weakest part of the show. Fortunately, he’s also the least important, when you get right down to it. Also, I just realized that the guy whose house burned down is Chief Tyrol from BSG. Huh. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/43 "2016-11-12T18:03:05Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > Yeah, oddly, I think Dirk himself is the weakest part of the show. Fortunately, he’s also the least important, when you get right down to it. > > Also, I just realized that the guy whose house burned down is Chief Tyrol from BSG. Huh. Yeah, I thought I saw him at first, then wasn’t sure, then when they showed more of his face I recognized it was Aaron Douglas. He was a great performer on BSG, and I was wondering what became of him since I’ve seen other actors from the show getting work. He’s put on a lot of weight. Wonder if that’s part of it. Nice to see him again, but I think he could much better than this role. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/44 "2016-11-12T19:24:15Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > In my opinion, Adams’ concepts don’t translate well to film anyway – too much relies on vivid and surreal descriptions/comparisons in the narration – so I’m happier that they didn’t really try. Shit, they barely translate to print. Hitchiker’s on the radio was perfect. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/45 "2016-11-12T19:36:06Z")
I miss the days when WFMT wasn’t all pledge drives. Star Wars, the radio series. My Word. My Music. Midnight Special without Rich Warren. (\*\*drop, \*\*it’s been 30 years. Move on.) Have I ever bored you with the tale of the MS rerun where I knew the next song because I’d heard it 15 years before? I’m like that. Ahem. Looking forward to tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/46 "2016-11-12T20:32:29Z")
I have the first book and somehow could never get into it. Watched the first episode and was hooked. Watched the next two immediately after it and wanted more. This is why I don’t watch too many first-run TV shows anymore. I want to binge watch them find out what happens faster. 😃 Of course, last night I downloaded Penny Dreadful Season 3 and was delighted to find that the guy who plays Dirk played Renfield. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/47 "2016-11-12T21:11:25Z")
Thing 2 read the first and said it made no sense. I think she got it, but wouldn’t take that One Step Beyond and accept that it was senseless, in an entirely sensible way. You either get it or you don’t. If you don’t you are Ur-Todd. I take pills to keep my Dirk in check. I’m less fun, but I can hold down a job for days, even years, in a row. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/48 "2016-11-23T20:43:23Z")
I’ve now watched the first two episodes. Very frenetic and a bit confusing. I’m still trying to remember who is who but I’m hooked. I will be upset if the many mysteries don’t get resolved but I suspect they will. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/49 "2016-11-24T01:23:27Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I’ve now watched the first two episodes. Very frenetic and a bit confusing. I’m still trying to remember who is who but I’m hooked. I will be upset if the many mysteries don’t get resolved but I suspect they will. My favorite scene in any show from 2016 was the bridge scene in the second episode. The bad guy and the protagonists revealing they are equally confused/lost was hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/50 "2016-11-24T14:13:21Z")
I love the way the show keeps me second-guessing myself. I was absolutely sure up until the fourth episode that the kitten was Lydia’s father. Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/51 "2016-11-24T21:02:26Z")
OK, all caught up now. Many questions answered, several still open but a lot of the empty spaces have been filled in. I actually care about a few of the characters now and am a little sad that only 3 episodes remain. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/52 "2016-11-25T02:43:56Z")
Don’t worry. At best only some questions will be answered, and them only answered incompletely, leaving you with a massive WTF? on your lips. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/53 "2016-11-25T05:43:45Z")
Welcome to the world of Douglas Adams, where you go to bed with two dogs and wake up with three. He could explain it better. Me, I’m at a loss. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/54 "2016-11-28T02:44:43Z")
The last episode was one of the best episodes of any show this year. I love when Gordon confronts them, pauses, and proceeds to ask a million questions instead of answering a single one or telling them what is going on. He has no idea what is happening either. Brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/55 "2016-11-29T14:13:28Z")
It’s renewed for series 2: [http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/dirk-gently-renewed-season-2-bbc-america-1201923687/](http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/dirk-gently-renewed-season-2-bbc-america-1201923687/) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/56 "2016-11-29T20:38:46Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Dirk himself is perhaps a teensy bit overplayed, channeling Doctor Who’s mania, but he’s growing on me. Of course he’s channeling The Doctor, this all started with an aborted Fourth Doctor serial titled “Shada”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/57 "2016-11-29T20:48:26Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > It’s renewed for series 2: > [http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/dirk-gently-renewed-season-2-bbc-america-1201923687/](http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/dirk-gently-renewed-season-2-bbc-america-1201923687/) Yep, and a full 10 episode season instead of only 8. Very nice. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/58 "2016-12-01T06:33:04Z")
We’re 4.5 episodes into it and I love it. Can’t think of a single critical thing to say about it. And if you know me, you know that’s \*really \*special. ---
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/59 "2016-12-01T11:22:47Z")
Fiona Dourif just gets better and better. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2016, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246/60 "2016-12-01T14:03:58Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I love when Gordon confronts them, pauses, and proceeds to ask a million questions instead of answering a single one or telling them what is going on. > > He has no idea what is happening either. > > Brilliant. Yeah, liked that a lot too. At first it threw me off, then as he keeps going I started laughing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-2016-bbc-series/769246.md?page=4)