River City (2002– ) User Reviews

It's come a long way

[alainenglish · 7 February 2003]

Premiering 24 September 2002, River City is the first British soap based in Scotland for quite a while. The show is set around Montego Street, in the fictitious Glasgow district of Sheildinch. Within this, there are a flux of principal characters, many of whom operate shops or businesses within Montego Street and the action focuses on them, their families and associates.

The opening episode showed promise, with the wedding of Tommy Donachie (Eric Barlow) to Eileen (Deirdre Davis), with Eileen's bitter ex-husband, Raymond (Paul Samson), looking on, vowing vengeance showed potential. Sadly, it was let down by some slightly poor scripting. Two and half years later "River City" his hit it's stride and in Scotland it's now more popular than the similar, London-based "Eastenders".

The recent revamp of the theme tune has helped. It now has a hard Celtic beat to it that resonates with many of the urban Scottish themes now explored within the show.

There have been some terrific entertaining story lines particularly over the last year or so, with drug addiction, obsession, rape and child abuse giving episodes an often powerful dramatic weight. With the double act of brassy Roisin (Joyce Falconer) and hapless Raymond (Paul Samson), there's been a fair share of comedy as well.

Tam Dean Burn is excellent as the creepy homosexual Godfather of Shieldinch. He has recently left the show for a bit, but here's hoping we haven't seen the last of him. Sally Howitt is on fine form as the steely, sexy Scarlett and Gray O'Brien isn't too bad as gambling, womanizing Billy Davies.

It was a mistake to get rid of Lewis Cope (Duncan Duff) just when he was getting interesting, but his recent return was a masterstroke and he's now back to his scheming, villainous best. Also of note are Carmen Pieraccini as the sassy Kelly-Marie, Jade Lezar as Roisin's wayward daughter Alanna, Gilly Gilchrist's womanizing lawyer Archie Buchanan and Carter Ferguson as charming bobby-on-the-beat Harry Black. In addition former "Deacon Blue" singer Lorraine MacIntosh is also very good as recovering alcoholic Alice.

"River City" has come a very long way since it's 2002 premiere, and things can only improve from here.

Alright

[vyctorya · 3/10 · 25 September 2020]

The show is pretty meh, not great not bad. David Paisley is grating to watch, without him it would be much better.

'River Shitty' more like

[Rabical-91 · 1/10 · 18 May 2017]

Scotland is responsible for inventing some of the world's greatest television shows such as 'Scotch & Wry', 'Naked Video', 'Rab C. Nesbitt', 'Tutti Frutti', 'Chewin' The Fat', 'Still Game', 'Rebus' and 'Hamish MacBeth', however my otherwise brilliant country ( sorry if that made me sound big headed ) is also responsible for inflicting upon us 'Burnistoun', 'Limmy's Show', 'Gary: Tank Commander', 'Monarch Of The Glen' and this.

'River Shitty', sorry, 'River City' has got to be one of, if not the most, excruciatingly unwatchable soap operas of all time. It plays almost like a Scottish version of the equally dreadful 'Hollyoaks'. How it still running today is indeed a mystery.

It is truly a dreadful show but then I think even its most devoted fans are well aware of that. Set in a fictional Glagswegian district known as Shieldinch ( sounds like something out of an 'Oor Wullie' strip, doesn't it? ), which, as is the case in many soaps, seems to take place in a number of different locations such as a pub, a bistro, a hair salon or a cafe rather than the homes of the characters. The story lines also ran the gamut of soap clichés such as underage pregnancy, murder, adultery, wife beating, and so on.

Over the years there has been a pretty impressive list of actors involved in the show over the years such as Eileen McCallum, Barbara Rafferty, Sally Howitt, Jon Morrison, Billy McElhaney, Johnny Beattie, Maurice Roeves, Shonagh Price, and, in more recent years, Andy Gray. It's just such a shame that this show is not at all worthy of their talents.

A short time ago, a small sketch was filmed for 'Children In Need' which featured Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill as Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade from 'Still Game' who are appearing on the soap as a prize in a competition and, to date, it is probably the only semi-interesting thing that is remotely anything to do with the show.

First Realistically portrayed Scottish Soap

[jenniferfinlay · 9/10 · 9 May 2006]

As a Scottish person ,I have to agree that River City has improved so much since it began.It shows us as the normal living people of Scotland,unlike a previous Scottish soap,who showed us all as haggis loving,kilt wearing highland dwellers.That is a total myth. The current story lines are brilliant,but why no mention of the gorgeous sexy lawyer Gerry McGrade in the cast list.He is very much a central character.John Paul McGilvray plays him well. The acting is good,but sometimes the Scottish dialogue can be a little rough and ready(lots of Glaswegians speak with a clear accent) I hope river city doesn't get cancelled,as it is gritty and gripping.

Not spectacular but definitely worth a watch!!

[am_yer_maw · 10/10 · 28 August 2006]

Okay so it's hardly Dallas but don't dismiss it because it's Scottish and you've 'heard' its mince. It's actually a very good watch, with story lines just as credible as other soaps shown through the Uk. With story lines such as explosions, drug addictions, the comeuppance of a notorious gangster involving a stabbing, hostage situation and a confrontation at the docks - to name but a few (see link below for screen caps) http://www.bbc.co.uk/Scotland/TV/rivercity/gallery/docks/index.shtml You feel for the characters as much as you would in any other soap, its not only dramatic it's funny some of the one liners are fantastic and have you in stitches.

A weak starter but has really come into it's own over the last few years receiving all most as many ratings as the national soaps on occasion.

Don't listen to people who say it's rubbish and don't just take my word for it, watch it - see for yourself - you won't regret it.

Scotlands own

[tigerbright-2 · 9/10 · 21 May 2014]

Like all soaps, you can love them or hate them, but River City has become I believe the most diverse soap on the box. From gangland activity to marriage issues, gay relationships to local community and of course the local boozer. Not only a home grown soap based around Glasgow, but one which takes you into the lives of every character, be it the local hairdresser Robbie, or gangster Lennie Murdoch, who can be ruthless, but also has a compassionate side when it comes to looking after his own. This is an hour out of reality once a week and if born/living or just love Scotland, then this soap's for you. BUT for all those who condemn it for whatever their reasons...hey turn the channel on your TV. and watch some American rubbish instead..

Don't take it too seriously!

[Suxidoll · 21 January 2004]

River City was launched to a shaky start, but in recent months has become compelling viewing. A charicature of life in the west of Scotland, it is funny, diverse and somewhat addictive. This programme is not without its critics, but the viewing figures have been steadily increasing; this programme has become a surprise success for BBC Scotland.

Ideally, River City should be watched with an open mind and a sense of humour. It's great. Enjoy!

I love it!

[pcmmid · 19 July 2004]

As someone born in Aberdeen, Scotland, raised in The Republic of Ireland from the age of 4 & then England, & now back in Aberdeen & married to a local, I think River City is superb. The one liners - "Do you think my heid buttons up the back?" & "Did you get a lumber, Mister Henderson?" tickle my funny bone to this day. It's no better, & no worse, than many of the longer established soaps on TV. I have had some wonderful times in Glasgow in recent years - I just wish River City was filmed in the city's streets, rather than on a set, so that one could visit the location. My experience of Glasgow's citizens has always been positive, & it is a beautiful city, so I hope that this programme will encourage people to visit & immerse themselves in the culture of this "dear, green place".

It has got far better!

[puggso_32 · 12 January 2005]

A lot was said about this soap when it first hit our screens. It wasn't realistic, the plots where very poor and the acting was woeful. And they where absolutely right.

But something like this would always have taken time and with the amount of money that was spent to create it, it wasn't going to be dropped quickly.

As time progressed the story's have became better, deeper and more life like (well as life like as a soup can allow) and any weak links in the acting where slowly replaced by new faces, and older faces already well known for their acting.

I can see it becoming stronger and stronger and with things such as Eastenders (which has be slammed in the press for stealing some of River City's original ideas) becoming basically silly it will be interesting to see if it could go national.