If you are into fast-paced, high-stakes TV then the BBC’s Bodyguard may be for you. The latest endeavour from Line of Duty maestro Jed Mercurio sees Sgt David Budd (Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden) take on the job of protecting the home secretary, Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes). Kicking off with a standout opener we see Budd thwart a bomb threat on a commuter train. Not long after, he is seconded to protect Montague, who is in the midst of tackling the country’s terror threat.
Hot on the heels of the nail-biting opener on BBC One, Channel 5 decided to get in on the action by airing Whitney Houston film The Bodyguard, where the singer plays Rachel Marron, a thinly veiled version of herself alongside Kevin Costner as her protector/love interest, Frank. We may only be two episodes into the action-packed telly thriller, but let’s see how it stacks up to its titular movie nemesis.
The bodyguards
Frank Farmer
Calm and collected, Farmer manages to quash any feelings he has for Rachel as secondary to his main task of protecting her. He is also quick to keep up with her sharp tongue, at one point reminding her he is “here to keep you alive, not to help you shop”.
Sgt David Budd
Former army vet Budd appears on top of his job and vigilant in keeping the home secretary safe, but it is obvious he carries bitterness for the government and its role in the war that saw him so damaged.
Winner: Frank Farmer
The chemistry
Frank + Rachel
There is a reason the kiss scene at the end of The Bodyguard is so steamy.
David + Julia
It’s hard to buy the rampant sex when it is so obvious that David hates everything Julia stands for.
Winner: Frank + Rachel
Health and safety
The Bodyguard (movie)
I am not sure Farmer was following the guidelines for deploying a proper jump when he defended Rachel from bullets at the Oscars. The way he fell was asking for a lower back injury.
Bodyguard (TV)
Budd is nothing but stringent when it comes to protocol. There is no hovering outside Parliament. He will try and get the home secretary to use the back door. If she will agree.
Winner: Bodyguard (TV)
Assassination attempts
The Bodyguard (movie)
In comparison to the TV show, the attempt on Rachel’s life at the Oscars is a bit Tesco Value.
Bodyguard (TV)
The scene in episode two shows why Mercurio is the king of the action set-piece. The gripping series of events, caused by a sniper with a keen eye, has your heart in your throat, whether you are invested in the home secretary’s survival or not.
Winner: Bodyguard (TV)
Bonus round: explosions
Comparing the lake boat explosion in The Bodyguard to the terrorist’s van explosion in Bodyguard is like comparing a birthday cake sparkler to the flaming Wickerman.
Winner: Bodyguard (TV)
Overall winner: Bodyguard, the show. Sorry Kevin Costner.
