Greatest Series I have just finished watching the complete series last night. I do concur that Series 4 was somewhat disappointing compared to the previous 3 which were supurb. Jack and Matt were simply fantastic and really showed how "maras" stuck together through thick and thin. The tight structure and lines within the casting made for intent listening as every line spoken had a hidden agenda. The harsh times, the Seatons, political loyalty seemed so relevant for the portrade times. Disappointed that not more of the original cast were involved in Series 4? But, this series was masterclass, sad that it is now over. Duke of Bedlington3:30am Thu 21 Jul
Rating 8.6
wonderful series This should be shown in schools, to help them understand what their great grand perents had to put up with. All the cast magnificent seasider6:26pm Tue 15 Mar
Yummy Bloody great ! mick5601:00pm Fri 4 Mar
More please This was great in the 70s and it ain't changed. James Bolam is a very underrated actor. I wonder if the cast could be persuaded to do an update, Jack could have just passed out in the last episode. Most of the cast are still about, Edward Wilson (Billiy) is the only one I think is gone, shame. Lets not forget the writer and creator James Mitchell, a real talent. Any chance you could repeat this again? Stanley Accrington10:33pm Thu 25 Mar
missed the last one never bothered to watch this series before. got hooked on it this time but missed the last episode.where can i watch it.have trawled the internet and cant find a site. PLEASE HELP! tillytich5:11pm Thu 25 Mar
Great Series I really enjoyed the whole series, I also could not watch it at 4 - so I recorded it and watched at night.I have to say I enjoyed the seventies episodes much more that the eighties. Who agrees?
I also loved James Bolan iin the likley lads.
DD1:35pm Tue 23 Mar
When the Boat Comes in Wonderful in every respect. Missed it first time round - have been hooked this time. James Bolam deserves both Oscar and a Knighthood, and so well-supported by a wonderful cast. Not forgetting the realistic script and a slice of social history. It makes us grateful for being born with a Welfare state!
D.Johnson 22.3.10 Artemis10:29pm Mon 22 Mar
Thanks yesterday yesterday has to be on eof the best channels, scheduling not so good and mixed up series but When teh Boat comes in was just superb. Suki7:43pm Mon 22 Mar
last episode enjoyed it until last few episodes.what a rotten ending mrs cope5:34pm Mon 22 Mar
the boat marvellous to see the series again - jack has to be one of my heroes Scouse5:15pm Mon 22 Mar
when the boat comes in this has been a real treat to watch and i'm going to miss it, loved it, thank you Yesterday davejb235:10pm Mon 22 Mar
James Bolam His portrayal of Jack Ford is a masterclass of acting.
Bravo Tom W6:04pm Sat 13 Mar
Great Series Again like Gibbo sentimental reason for watching this and all his other shows. Served with Jimmy Bolam back in the 50,s Also great Jazz musician. raymon3:06pm Sat 13 Mar
Show it in the evening Picked up on this wonderful series with fabulous acting. Never seen it before. This is so good - needs to have an evening slot, so everyone can enjoy. Liz2:54pm Fri 12 Mar
northern exile Apart from the c---up with the scheduling at the start I have been riveted again to this superb series. Interesting reading some of the comments. sentimental reason for watching jimmie Bolam..did national service at RAF Scharfoldendorf with him.Any ex Scharf types watching? everything he has done has been superb gibbo5:08pm Thu 11 Mar
3rd time round and still great First watched this series when I was in my teens in the 70s and loved it. Watched it on 'Sky Gold' in the 80s - just as good and now trying to watch it inbetween my working hours. Third time it's just as great but pity the 'Yesterday' programme schedulers forgot to think of those of us who have to work between 9am - 5pm. Suggest they start repeating it at about 9pm at night. Boat Watcher1:57pm Thu 11 Mar
when the boat comea in What a great series remember it from the original series but enjoying it even more this time roud. Why dont they make good drama thik this now. James Bolam is brilliant rock and roll9:21pm Wed 10 Mar
Bolam is brill. First watched this as a young lad in the seventies and couldn't take it all in.A lifetime later and all the treachery and skullduggery,double dealing
laughter and tears all makes sense.Bolams Jack Ford is electrifying surely one of the greatest ever TV created characters you can love him or hate him but whenever he's around somethings cooking. Gerry11:13am Tue 9 Mar
Great Series Why can't they make dramas like this nowadays. Better than any of the Casulty or CSI type rubbish. Ford Fan5:07pm Mon 8 Mar
Stereotypes Some good performances from Bolam and James Garbutt but Malcolm Terris et al won't win any medals.
The characters are simplistic stereotypes, everything is painted straight black or white.
To the person who mentioned dodgy accents - there isn't a single geordie accent or dialect and on national TV it needs to be toned down anyway. Rab C Nesbitt was a good series but never got the praise it deserved because the dialogue could be hard work. Ronnie12:02pm Mon 8 Mar
So realistic My late brother married a girl from Blyth and I have visited the area at least once a year since 1958. I can identify with the characters as I feel I have met them over the years and to me the whole story is realistic and absolutely brilliant drama. Razzle Carey8:28pm Tue 2 Mar
Classic TV James Bolam at his best; This is TV drama that grabs you in the guts.
Old style left and right
fight the good fight.
Obama the Great11:37am Mon 1 Mar
when the boat comes in fantastic should have more tiddies5:41pm Sun 28 Feb
Great drama I loved this series when it was first screened and wondered whether I would enjoy it again as much as an adult. I needn't have worried it is excellent. "Jack Ford" will you marry me.?" Mrs Ford(I wish)6:35pm Wed 24 Feb
When The Boat Comes In Am in 7th heaven re watching this - such a well written drama all the wheeling and dealing. It gives a real falvour of the day and I almost feel the coal dust when Mrs. Seaton is carrying a bucket of coal. I will be very sorry when it comes to an end - there isn't enough of these dramas around. James Bolam and all the cast are fantastic. 4jays3:08pm Tue 23 Feb
Ageless First enjoyed 30 years ago and it is till brilliant and better than all current programms. A1WRT9:37am Sun 21 Feb
sir for james bollom He is long overdue for a knighthood ,a national treasure , great actor sadly seems always to go to pop stars . BLOD8:30pm Thu 18 Feb
Canny Viewing What can I say, remeber theme tune from days in my pram. Watched once in my late thirties now me and mi wee bairns are hooked. Agree with last comment, should be screened worker friendly. Great history for the kids, format ain't aged. Just fantastic Wirral12:37am Thu 18 Feb
how about us workers it would be nice to have this show televised at a time when us workers of a certain 'older age' can view it...e.g. after 6pm or before 8am or even weekends disgruntled4:23pm Wed 17 Feb
Great Watched first became gripped. this series shows TV has lost its way, a gripping story line. Ive set the recorder TV boat comes home11:54am Sat 30 Jan
Train Ride Did you see the Tower Blocks from the train window. spotter2:53pm Fri 22 Jan
Accents The only real Geordie accent is the medical students one. The others may be Geordies (Bolam is not, he's a Mackam, ie from Sunderland 12 miles away) but they've been away so long they've forgotten how to speak it. And as far as 'Jessies'(Bolams real life wife)accent, where on earth is that from? No comment on the headmaster! Geordie12:44pm Thu 21 Jan
James Mitchell was born and bred in South Shields. The reason he wrote WTBCI was that he would never listen to his father talking about The Great War.In his remorse this series was born. Hadaway, a real Geordie, who died a few years ago, wrote a few episodes and lived in North Shields where some of the scenes were shot. MGM12:51pm Mon 18 Jan
Episode 1 finally shown today Straight after episode 5.Who on earth plans this nonsense?
Great to see it anyway . Glenby7:03pm Sat 16 Jan
Compare then with now It's nice to be reminded what TV was like 40 years ago. A storyline that has a point to it, intelligently written, well acted and, what can be taken for, a realistic glimpse into life immediately after the First World War. This programme shows what TV can acheive (even without)'strong language, violence and scenes of a sexual nature from the start'. It woul be great if programme makers could reproduce quality like 'When the Boat Come In' and give up the tedious crap that we know will follow when we are warned what to expect 'from the start'. G.C.12:09pm Sat 16 Jan
What is going on? The episodes are all over the place. This is a serial not just a series. There is no sense left now. What on earth is Yesterday playing at? Iain4:48pm Thu 14 Jan
wrong episode Sort it out so dissapointing the 1st episode was not shown.When will we see it? Jack6:14pm Tue 12 Jan
What a let-down Episode 10 and next episode 2 is shown.
Not a great start for one of the best ever tv series.
Come on 'yesterday' get your fingers out. Glenby4:15pm Tue 12 Jan
wrong episode shown will the correct episode be shown fantastic show but i would like to watch it from the begining hadaway 9:39pm Mon 11 Jan
Typical uncaring presentation! NOT the first episode at all!
Insult added to injury by mindless 'continuity announcer's' speech over significant last line of dialogue-why not wait for the credits to roll? Usual couldn't care less attitude - using classic material any old how just to fill airtime - buy the DVDs instead! Hobohemian9:28pm Mon 11 Jan
wrong episode this was supposed to be the first episode but was episode 10. Really disappointed popcorn7:21pm Mon 11 Jan
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