codebreaker

The Hour (UK 2011) premiered on BBC Two on July 19, 2011

About the Show:
Romola Garai, Dominic West and Ben Whishaw star in The Hour, a thrilling six-part drama which takes viewers behind the scenes of the launch of a topical news programme in London 1956, written and created by Bafta award-winning Abi Morgan.
With a highly competitive, sharp-witted and passionate love triangle at the heart of the series, it's through the lives of enigmatic Bel and her rivals, Freddie and Hector, that viewers will witness the decade on the threshold of change – from the ruthless sexual politics behind the polite social façade of the Fifties to the revelations that redefined the world for a new generation.
Over the six episodes, the interplay and intense ambitions between our rising news team play out against the backdrop of a mysterious murder and Freddie's controversial and dangerous investigation.
Ben Whishaw plays Freddie Lyon, a brilliant and outspoken journalist, whose passion endlessly lands him in trouble. Getting to the truth of a story can be a dangerous and risky business and it's Bel, his contemporary and best friend, who is always there to bail him out. For Freddie, Bel is so much more as well – if only he were brave enough to tell her.
Romola Garai plays Bel Rowley, spirited and ambitious and facing the most exciting and daunting challenge of her life – running The Hour. Can her passion for the truth survive the political pressure the job will bring – and will her friendship with Freddie survive her undeniable attraction to front man Hector?
Dominic West plays Hector Madden, charming, charismatic – a man whose upbringing and education have instilled in him a sense of entitlement and whose glamorous young wife has the family connections to get him the job as front man on The Hour. But, beneath the confident façade, Hector has a lot to prove. Bel provides the challenge – and the spark.
The Hour's supporting cast includes Tim Pigott-Smith and Juliet Stevenson as Lord and Lady Elms; Anton Lesser as Clarence Fendley, the BBC's Head of News; Anna Chancellor as Lix, The Hour's brave and maverick hard-drinking foreign correspondent; Julian Rhind-Tutt as Angus McCain, the Prime Minister's eyes and ears; and Oona Chaplin as Marnie Madden, Hector's spoilt beautiful wife.

Cast:

Actor’s name	Character’s name
Ben Whishaw	Freddie Lyon
Vanessa Kirby	Ruth Elms
Tim Pigott-Smith	Lord Elms
Juliet Stevenson	Lady Elms
Romola Garai	Bel Rowley
Dominic West	Hector Madden
Anton Lesser	Clarence Fendley
Anna Chancellor	Lix Storm
Julian Rhind-Tutt	Angus McCain
Oona Chaplin	Marnie Madden
Josh McGuire	Isaac Wengrow
Lisa Greenwood	Sissy Cooper

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[ Last edited by codebreaker at 12-18-2012 19:23 ]

codebreaker

Episode 1:
Bel and Freddie, who work as BBC reporters, are given the chance to escape from their boring jobs to run a topical weekly show instead. With only one of them being able to be the producer, and with Bel in pole position for the job, Freddie is not happy. After a debutante and a childhood friend end up asking him for help in investigating a murder, he ends up realising that the only way he can investigate it is to join the staff of The Hour.

Episode 2:
It is July 1956 and The Hour is struggling as the ratings are down, the reviews are bad and Hector and Freddie are arguing like children. Freddie is still shocked following Ruth's death and is convinced that she was murdered. Peter's killer, Tom Kish, has started working as Lix's new assistant on the foreign desk. Bel and Hector end up being brought closer together under the watchful presence of Hector's wife, Marnie as they face their biggest challenge yet. n impromptu meeting with Ruth's devastated father, Lord Elms, ends up giving Freddie a vital clue brings him closer to the truth but also puts himself in further danger.

Episode 3:
It is now September 1956 and Hector's brilliant interview with Mr Hafiz has caused the fortunes of The Hour to pick up.. The team are invited to spend a weekend at Hector's in-laws. The attraction between Bel and Hector continues to grow and Hector finds it hard to deal with his growing feelings for her, despite Marnie's presence. The suspicion about Tom Kish continues to grow back at the office and Isaacs on the case. Bel is surprised by the sudden appearance of Angus McCain. As the weekend away continues Freddie's crossword continues to baffle him and he believes that there is a hidden code which is an important clue as to who killed both Peter and Ruth.

Episode 4:
It is now October, 1956 and Freddie is celebrating his birthday. The after effects of Tom's death are still being felt in the newsroom. Even though it was said that Tom had suffered a heart attack, MI6 are now a regular presence in the newsroom and it seems that Freddie in particular is being watched. Freddie goes to see Tom's widow, Jane and after realising that that she was the one behind the camera in Ruth's film, Freddie believes that she could hold some important information. Isaac believes that his latest idea for the programme could bring Sissy closer to him.

Episode 5:
It is now November 1956 and the the country is more divided than ever with British troops fighting in Egypt. The Prime Minister tells the country his reasons for military action. The pressure on The Hour to follow a pro-government line is increased by McCain but Freddie has other ideas. Lady Elms ends up warning Freddie to stop his investigation and leave the family alone but Freddie refuses. A discovery about Tom Kish and Peter Darrall is made by Lix which makes it look like that somebody close to The Hour knows more than they're saying. Freddie, Hector and Isaac travel to Trafalgar Square where Freddie ends up pushing them into the thick of the action. Bel finds herself under fire from Clarence following a visit from Marnie. He ends up warning her that if she continues the affair it will finish her career.

Episode 6:
It is now November 1956 and The Hour is about to broadcast live and tensions increase for everyone. Bel wants to see the BBC's commitment to impartiality meaning that they cover both the arguments for and against the war in Egypt. Both McCain and Douglas have other ideas though. Freddie has lined up a mystery guest for the show but there is a chance he might not show up. Hector has been sleeping in the office and there is lots of tension between him and Bel following Marnie's visit. Freddie ends up in Clarence's office and is unsure what to do with the information he is given. After when Lix reveals the full scope of Peter and Tom's Egyptian mission, and the real reason for Ruth's death, Freddie is shocked.

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waterlilybarb

Episode 1:
It is November 1957 and a whole year has passed since The Hour was taken off air for their controversial interview with Lord Elms and much has changed. Freddie has been fired and gone travelling, while Bel fought to stay. Bel’s whole life is her work and she’s becoming increasingly preoccupied with the country's growing criminal underworld. El Paradis is run by Raphael Cilenti who is charming but ruthless. Kiki Delaine is beautiful, talented and utterly beguiling and works as his star showgirl. She knows exactly how to charm a man and Hector finds her hard to resist.

Episode 2:
Hector and Marnie invite their friends to a party at their apartment. Racial tension increases across London, due to the influx of immigrants from the Commonwealth who bring new culture to Britain’s streets. It provokes much discussion at the party which is interrupted after two policemen arrive at the door to arrest Hector on suspicion of beating up Kiki. Hector’s absence has not gone unnoticed the following day by Randall, and Bel has a difficult job to try and keep Hector’s arrest secret from him. Freddie makes matters further after he decides to hold a controversial interview with a fascist named Trevor on the same day a visit from members of the board is due to happen.

Episode 3:
It is now Christmas at Lime Grove and Hector is attempting to put the arrest behind him while Kiki goes missing. His self-destructive behaviour spirals out od control as Bel and Freddie look for the truth about what happened and attempt to locate Kiki. Lix is preoccupied with the likely spread of nuclear armament across Europe. Randall informs her the real reason for his return. Freddie, Bel, Hector, Marnie, Bill and Laurie attend a special Christmas charity function. Bel and Bill’s flirtation is interrupted as Freddie shows Bel a picture he’s found of Kiki.

Episode 4:
Bel and Freddie are determined to expose Cilenti’s vice network and the police collusion about the anti-nuclear policy story that is planned for tomorrow’s show. Randall sees the scoop’s potential, but ends up challenging them to find some sources to prove their story’s ready to hit the headlines. Bel sets up a meeting with showgirl Rosa Maria who puts herself in real danger by revealing the way Cilenti exerts a hold over some of London’s most influential men. Bel’s relationship with Bill grows deeper, which upsets Freddie, whose home life with Camille suffers as a result of his dedication to the story.

Episode 5:
After a source’s body is discovered in a Soho backstreet, Bel wants the team to halt their pursuit of the dangerous Cilenti. As she attempts to convince Freddie not to risk his life for a story, he becomes more determined than ever due to a new lead. Randall challenges McCain about his part in Cilenti’s manipulation of the previous week’s show as Hector manages to wow executives in a meeting with ITV and is tempted by the prospect of being lauded.

Episode 6:
Scandal manages to hit The Hour as Hector’s face hits the tabloids, along side some leaked stories of Kiki’s accusations. The team might have also have uncovered a major conspiracy story featuring Howard Satchell, Minister of Defence. Marnie’s faced with a dilemma at ITV. Bill challenges whether Bel’s real affections lie elsewhere. Lix and Randall finally manage to get some answers in their efforts to find their daughter.

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contributed by codebreaker