Pilot Thoughts: White Heat

I've heard virtually no buzz about this, but British drama White Heat premiered in BBC America's Dramaville slot this week, and so far, I love it. It's about a group of college students sharing a house in the 1960s, and their present-day reunion, and it's full of soapy secrets and interesting political and cultural elements. The kids and their parents are right at that 1960s generation gap, and the pilot touched on everything from Winston Churchill to communes to the contraceptive pill to the Troubles, and made these issues personal in a variety of interesting ways. It sort of reminded me of - of all things - The L.A. Complex, except historical and British. The solid cast is full of "What have I seen them in?" British actors, and the plot and relationships are delightfully ambiguous so far. And the present-day scenes framing the flashbacks suggest that the group split up on bad terms, so unraveling that mystery will be an interesting thread to follow through the season.