I don't watch a great deal of television, so maybe there are better shows out there, but I liked this. It was well acted, and for the most part, well written. James Nesbitt was very convincing as a desperately distraught husband - I can barely imagine facing that kind of pain - although I'll admit that some of his scenes felt a little drawn out. Minnie Driver also made for a respectable captain and those playing the remainder of the Orpheus crew worked very well together. They were certainly convincing as a group of professional civilians in a high risk job.
I loved the sets. I don't doubt that the Russian sub was just some random industrial facility, but it worked exceedingly well. I do wish we could have seen more of it though, and really gotten a feel for what it was like working down there. Maybe they could have included some flashback sequences of what happened as it was happening.
The action on the surface was weak, both in the ice field, and back at the cottage. Much of these scenes should either have been extended or dropped altogether... especially the whole ridiculous sledgehammer and computer bit.
I ticked the "Contains Spoilers" box for obvious reasons, but I don't want to ruin too much. I will say however that I thought the last death was a mistake. I really feel that character deserved to live, and importantly, to be able to report what else had happened down below.
Despite the faults, I'm still going to give seven stars for the considerable enjoyment it's given me over the last few nights. It's not often that I watch a TV show and go away afterwards immediately wanting to buy the DVD. This time though, I probably will. This wasn't a fantastic show, but it was refreshingly different, with a solid backbone of good characters and I certainly hope the creative talents involved go on to other equally interesting work.
I loved the sets. I don't doubt that the Russian sub was just some random industrial facility, but it worked exceedingly well. I do wish we could have seen more of it though, and really gotten a feel for what it was like working down there. Maybe they could have included some flashback sequences of what happened as it was happening.
The action on the surface was weak, both in the ice field, and back at the cottage. Much of these scenes should either have been extended or dropped altogether... especially the whole ridiculous sledgehammer and computer bit.
I ticked the "Contains Spoilers" box for obvious reasons, but I don't want to ruin too much. I will say however that I thought the last death was a mistake. I really feel that character deserved to live, and importantly, to be able to report what else had happened down below.
Despite the faults, I'm still going to give seven stars for the considerable enjoyment it's given me over the last few nights. It's not often that I watch a TV show and go away afterwards immediately wanting to buy the DVD. This time though, I probably will. This wasn't a fantastic show, but it was refreshingly different, with a solid backbone of good characters and I certainly hope the creative talents involved go on to other equally interesting work.