33 of 37 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
BallyK tries to move on after Tony Doyle's passing., Jun 4 2007
By komyathy - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Ballykissangel: Complete Series Six (DVD)
What sort of person are you? Do you relish variety or prefer the TV shows, musical artists, actresses you like to be recognizably the same over their runs, careers? The answer to that will determine whether you relish the changes introduced for series six of Ballykissangel, as the following exit the show: Sean Dillon (Lorcan Cranitch), Emma Dillon (Kate McEnery), Father Aidan O'Connell (Don Wycherley), Orla O'Connell (Victoria Smurfit), Danny Byrne (Colin Farrell), and Brian Quigley (Tony Doyle) who, arguably, was the franchise character and driving force of the entire show. Mr. Doyle passed away in January of 2000, just after the last episode of the fifth year of BallyK was broadcast (in December of 1999). There were no more episodes of BallyK until the spring of 2001 at which time series six (the first of 8 episodes) began to be broadcast. Item one of this final year thus was explaining the absence of Brian Quigley, dealing with that and then trying to move on without this central character. Of course, it's still BallyK and a welcoming program to watch, but at one and the same time, not the same anymore without the fulcrum (raison d'être even), of the whole program.
Series Six Episodes
Episode One - God.com
Brian Quigley goes missing & there's a new online confessional.
Episode Two - Drink
Father Vincent, the new parish priest buys Fitzgerald's Pub AND gets caught for drink driving!
Episode Three - The Cat and Daddy G
Grainne Dooley receives a goat for her birthday and the residents of Ballyk go to the races.
Episode Four - Spirit Proof
Talk of Ghosts and fishing problems, meanwhile Kathleen learns to drive.
Episode Five - Paul Dooley Sleeps with the Fishes
A stranger in town turns out to be from Avril's past. And the famous Fitzgerald's Bar might be in for a name change.
Episode Six - In a Jam
Vincent is in charge of this year's parish fête and something appears to be bothering Siobhan.
Episode Seven - Getting Better all the Time
An old friend of Vincent's arrives in Ballykissangel and Liam and Donal have to decide what to do with Quigley's money.
Episode Eight - Smoke Signals
Father Mac confronts Vincent when he finds out that Lyn and Barry are married.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sad end to a wonderful show, Sep 28 2009
By cat lover - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Ballykissangel: Complete Series Six (DVD)
I am currently viewing Season 6 of Ballykissangel after having watched the first 5 seasons on DVD over the past few months. Although there were many changes to the cast throughout the 5 seasons, there always seemed to be a central core that kept it glued together. Indeed it was this constant that made BallyK what it was--surely one of the best TV shows on either side of the pond. I really enjoyed spending my evenings with these wonderful folks from a country and culture far from my own. From reading the reviews here I see that the actor who played Brian Quigly passed away shortly after season 5 concluded. I didn't know that as it was never mentioned in Season 6. I thought that like the others who left before him, he merely went on to other pursuits (more money, etc.) The show also failed to note the passing during season 5 of the wonderful Birdy Sweeny who played the farmer Eamonn. I came to love that old geiser. It would have been nice to give him a nod when he passed.
I am so disappointed with the writing and newer characters this season. If it weren't for Liam and Donal I would think it was a different show. Not just that the characters are different, but the writing seems to have lost the spark that made this show special. Even a new, handsome Aussie priest couldn't help it. That's probably why there are only 8 episodes to Season 6. Like an old, sick horse, someone did the humane thing and put it out of it's misery.
I belatedly mourn the passing of Tony Doyle and Birdy Sweeny and the death of a great piece of television history. But I am so grateful I found it and was able to enjoy it's wonderful 5 year run.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but incomplete, Dec 18 2007
By T. Moxley "toniam1" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Ballykissangel: Complete Series Six (DVD)
Thought the writers did a great job dealing with the changes. I was suprised when I came to the end of disc 2 however, that there seemed to be no real ending. It just trails off and leaves you wondering what happens to father mac and other characters.