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Not strictly magic but he falls into are area of entertainment. Well any how did you watch it and what did you think?
I must say what i saw was alot more than what I expected from Johnthan Goodwin with his prior TV credits he blew me away.

Not seen it yet, but I'd be keen to know people's thoughts also.

Actually gutted I don't have this channel. I wasn't always wowed by his escapes but I did find his previous stuff entertaining.

I thought this was going to be another "look at me I can escape from impossible situations arn't I great" but noo what we saw was an prety in depth look at what it takes to live the life of a escapapologist, the constant practise, learning uterly pointless skills for any other vocation, the stress on family life both physicly and mentaly and the obsessive conpulsive genetic traits it requires, in short a briliently imformative programe.

the added geek work and general stunts like free climbing a building and the history aspects behind some of the stunts are welcome additions, what will remain to be seen is wether he can keep it up throught the preceeding episodes, a good whatch so far.

I tend to agree with the Right Honorable Discoman.

Having known of Goodwin's previous work (he had a "residency" at Folly Farm at one point. I should have gone to it...) through TV and the YouTubes, the addition of geek items gives a bit of a change from the relative sameness that "I can pick a lock" can provide. Not that picking a pair of handcuffs can't be exciting, as in the second episode he picks handcuffs twice, yet makes them seem like different tricks (One while dangling under a rising helicopter, another when he is being slapped every 10 seconds while holding a scorpion in his mouth). The relatively-uninitiated family seemed to be pleased with his work and the show, which is in stark contrast to Watch's other magician, Dynamo, someone that the family actively seeks to avoid.

Are they "Dynamo-ing" Goodwin? A bit. Does Goodwin carry the show better than Dynamo can? In my opinion, yes. Can he get a second series? Only if he continues to add non-"escaping" stuff to the show, so as to not tire his audience with "Escape from (Random securing device or devices) while being (Action applied to him) to avoid (Possible horrible thing happening caused through the action)". Which may be a bit tricky.

The views and opinions of DenmarkKilo may not be considered an expert magical opinion, and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult your doctor.

DenmarkKilo wrote:the addition of geek items gives a bit of a change from the relative sameness that "I can pick a lock" can provide. Not that picking a pair of handcuffs can't be exciting, as in the second episode he picks handcuffs twice, yet makes them seem like different tricks

Please don't call them "tricks". What Jonathan does are not tricks, i feel personally that it is an insult to the time put in and skill put in to acomplish the stunts and escapes. A trick is defined as the following-

www.google.co.uk wrote:trick
/trik/

Noun
A cunning or skillful act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone.

Verb
Deceive or outwit (someone) by being cunning or skillful.

Adjective
Intended or used to deceive or mystify, or to create an illusion.

.

While a stunt is defined as the following-

www.google.co.uk wrote:stunt
/stənt/

Noun
An action displaying spectacular skill and daring.

What he does is stunts and real non trickery escapology, he is not trying to deceive anyone what he's doing is real and dangerous or skillful or both and this is the only area of entertainment you can place his talent(or madness? LOL!!!).

Anjorno wrote:Please don't call them "tricks". What Jonathan does are not tricks, i feel personally that it is an insult to the time put in and skill put in to acomplish the stunts and escapes...

My apologies. I didn't realize that using the word "trick" could offend someone so much... ignoring the fact that this is a magic forum.

And weirdly, I'm reminded of a quote from Arrested Development...

DenmarkKilo wrote:

Anjorno wrote:Please don't call them "tricks". What Jonathan does are not tricks, i feel personally that it is an insult to the time put in and skill put in to acomplish the stunts and escapes...

My apologies. I didn't realize that using the word "trick" could offend someone so much... ignoring the fact that this is a magic forum.

And weirdly, I'm reminded of a quote from Arrested Development...

I know this is a magic forum, the misuse of a word used in magic holds no bearing to that.
thank you for the apology it wasn't really needed. I dont really know why it got to me so much.
?.

Did anyone see tonights episode. That man is insane!

I managed to see an episode of this, I was quite surprised that I was fairly entertained by it. Escapology is really not my thing but it managed to pull of a good combination of impressive 'skill' (as in, I don't know if he really has skill or not) and 'tension' (as in, I know everything will work out, but dammit my hands and feet are still tingling).

All in all while I may not enjoy the style, I think most will agree Mr Goodwin is (at least) a decent performer doing a service to his chosen theme.

Also props for mentioning Yakima Canutt, the real life John Wayne

Also while I only saw it in the 'next time' bit, I'm totally stealing the 'chopping vegetables on your arm' presentation.

Jean wrote:good combination of impressive 'skill' (as in, I don't know if he really has skill or not)

What Jonathan Goodwin does is quite real and requires alot of skill!
In episode 3 he manges to make a vacum cleaner into a deadly escape, I'm never going to look at a henry quite the same way ever again, all inocent looking!

This series certainly has gone much further than anything he's done before. Some are totally foolhardy, others are risky but controlled, several made me wince and, as someone who isn't fond of heights, those involving hanging off/climbing a building/cable car made me feel very uncomfortable - in the same sense that horror movies and extreme theme park rides make me fell uncomfortable - but I couldn't help keep on watching! The range of stunts he attempts is exceptional, not just one aspect but seemingly anything which is dangerous and not to be attempted by sane persons - Jonathan has come a long way since those early stunts where his Dad reluctantly helped out and things went badly on several occasions.

Hugely entertaining but certainly not for everyone!

I don't have Watch TV but they actually showed the first episode of this on a digital channel last night at nine o'clock, it was either Quest or Pick TV, it was not listed in the TV mags so must have been a last minute airing. It didn't say anything about a second episode but it might be worth checking out the channels next week for those who don't have the Watch channel. I really enjoyed the show, especially when he floored the heavy weight boxer with just two fingers!

On this weeks pre watershed version it showed him hacking mobile phone lock combinations and picking the lock of a car after locking the owners keys inside.