Absolute rubbish from start to finish. I only watched it because Lennie James was in it, who I admire greatly as an actor, but it saddens me that he has lowered himself to appearing in a show like this. I hope he will be more discerning in future.
shareThe show was suspenseful and underwhelming at the same time.
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I felt that the ending may be downbeat and it was more than I expected especially as it signalled that one of Gates colleagues may be bent when he talked about being a caddy.
Its that man again!!
May be? It was quite clear I would have thought :o
edit: I do agree with the ending being overly despondent, leaving the viewer with a sense of futility in regards to the actual effectiveness of police in the UK. While that may harmonise with the premise behind the show, I feel there seems to be a lack of concern over the enjoyment, or at least fulfillment value of the series for the viewer. Perhaps it was rushed; if so, I'm surprised that there were only five rather than six episodes like some other BBC series.
I think they wanted to make a gritty, realistic and intelligent TV show that didn't tie everything up in a nice neat little bow. They didn't want to make a typical "feel good" silly TV show. In this series a lot of the story has to be worked out by the viewer - a lot of it is unresolved - you know, a bit messy, just like real life.
For what it's worth I think it's an excellent TV show - the best thing the beeb has done in years.
Absolute rubbish from start to finish. I only watched it because Lennie James was in it, who I admire greatly as an actor, but it saddens me that he has lowered himself to appearing in a show like this. I hope he will be more discerning in future.
No he was fine in this, the real disappointment for me was Blackout, especially with such a high calibre cast, now that I found weak.
shareAs much as I enjoyed the first four episodes for its twists and turns and suspense, the last episode was a dud. Too many clever reveals, and the ending was just lazy writing.
shareIn general, I disagree with the sentiment that the series was poor. I found it to be very enjoyable to watch, and easy to keep the relevent threads organised in my head.
The last episode, however, I agree was weak. Not that the acting or writing was bad per se, but it felt rushed, as though the seriees was supposed to be 6 episodes and someone at a very late stage told the writer "Sorry, show 6 got canned and we've already finished filming the first half of 5. Can ya bodge the script to clear everything up in the last 20 mins or so of episode 5?"
You said it best. The ending seemed as if all went wrong with pacing and wrapping up the story. To much time spent on certain plots and not enough on others such as the rift and retaliation of how the other cops felt about her would have made good t.v.. They took to much time with her not getting it and Gates concealing it from her. After four episodes it should have went into the fifth one with his secrets resolved and chasing the bad guys. We had four episodes of the lying Cheating Gates and in the last ten minutes was supposed to feel he was a hero. we should have had the whole episode of him going after the bad guys and not still explaining himself with so little time for redemption.
shareI do not understand the ending at all. How did Tommy get off when there was so much evidence against him? And what did he have to do with the terrorists? This totally ruined what was a great series up till then.
shareNonsense, it had flaws but it was entertaining, contained a couple of unexpected plot twists and the viewer connected with the characters, particularly James.
And I have to say that anybody who would spend 5 hours watching what they consider to be 'absolute rubbish from start to finish' either has nothing to do with their time, or is iust exaggerating...
Ok, I think it was the conclusion.
I watched the first episode and then floated here to see what others thought. Your post stood out and it basically bashed the entire series with your opening statement. I then proceeded to watch the remaining 4 eps and now understand where your frustration comes from.
The first 3 parts were fantastic but then the second half of the 4 ep and the resolution of the final ep make me understand that this was a terrible way to end the series. While I liked the twist we discover in the closing minutes, ultimately the way the series ended left a sour taste in my mouth. It's not the Hollywood ending we're use to and I understand that we can't always have that, however this is a series where I wished we were feed some kind of justice at the end. Like I wished we had had a Jack Bauer moment.
Ultimately not bad, I can't recommend it because the cost of investing 5 hours into the series won't make up for the extremely lack luster ending.
So in essence I agree with the original posters general comment.
This was a well scripted, produced and acted TV series. The general story line had some very good parts to it. One of the most watched TV police series in the UK of all time. Yes ending was somewhat lacklustre, almost as if the writers had forgotten it and added just in time. The one fatal flaw was depicting the police as either dumb/stupid or crooked. Having some buddies in the UK police force they tell me that some of incidents are just so wildly off base that they gave up watching it. Oh yeah, just for your info, UK policeman never, ever, never, ever go anywhere remotely dangerous on their own.
shareYou're all referring to season 1, yes?
The story continues into season 2 so that might help wrap up a few of the open endings that were left hanging in the wind at the end of season 1.
If the opposite of Love is indifference, what's the opposite of Hate?
I feel it was too much of a coincidence for Lennie James character to be investigated at the same time he's former/current flame is involve in a hit & run.
shareI enjoyed this, but only by pretending it was set in some kind of alternative reality and by willfully ignoring the silly writing. The acting was wonderous.
It depressed me somewhat to think that the poor sod who wrote this lives in some kind of paranoid delusion where conspiracy theories abound.
If you feel vulnerable to conspiracy theories, just remember that most people are profoundly stupid, and that the government are the same people who can't even get your mail delivered properly. The idea that they could be involved in complicated coverups is laughable.