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Adasusy1
Reviews
Dark (2017)
Hooked
Rarely is small screen sci-fi done so well. The first two series were arguably the best. The third series was a bit of stretch, however the fact that is was nigh on impossible to follow events did not seem to matter as thankfully the final episode (perhaps the best of all?) explained/ tied everything together.
The cast were brilliant especially given they had to play, in most cases, an alternative version of themselves.
Lost count of the number of 'hairs standing on end moments'. Also some truly shocking situations that made you question how you would deal with the dilemmas faced by the characters.
Score and sound effects first rate. Entertaining but also smart.
Maryland (2023)
Cringeworthy
I only watched the first episode. That in itself was a struggle. The cast are very capable but in some cases were miscast. Especially Suranne Jones who I think is excellent but was unconvincing here, like every other member of the cast.
The idea was fine though most unoriginal. A secret life uncovered after death; coming to terms with learning that the person you thought you knew was a lot more than you ever imagined. The execution however lacked believable characters and a decent script. At every end and turn the two sisters relationship was hammered home to viewers; love/hate, grievances aplenty. Yes we know, you keep telling us, but it's getting tedious.
Perhaps Suranne Jones was adlibbing when she turned to her sister and said 'This is bull****'
No idea how the dope smugglers fitted into the storyline but my interest was nowhere near piqued to find out.
Mayflies (2022)
Did you get it?
Whilst the difficult theme of this drama - assisted death - was handled sensitively- but not that deeply - sadly the drama suffered from a bad case of Did you get it? With constant reminders of how much the central characters loved each other. Yes it was clear early on that these two fellas were best pals and yet every other scene past and present had hammer the point home with hugs and tears and barrowloads of nostalgia. Clichés also came thick and fast: I'm not going to have chemo and die that way- Breaking Bad - but ultimately family get their way. The still freeze frames of lads going wild - Trainspotting.
The actors were fine but it all felt a little too forced. The obvious age gap between the actors Martin Compston and Tony Curran was hard to ignore. It's a short story, and short stories require a keen focus on their core theme, yet Mayflies strayed in side stories about other characters we knew little, or cared little about. Seen a lot worse dramas than this though disappointed given the high IMDB rating.
Vigil (2021)
Unable to suspend disbelief
I gave up towards the end of episode 2. The 2 billion pound submarine, as conveniently described by one of the crew, populated by a legion of officers and crew members failed between them to spot an oil tanker a mere football pitch's length away. Fortuitously the captain saved the day when he adverted disaster at the very last moment spotting the humungous tanker via the good old periscope (who needs state of the art radar anyway!) Pity really. 4 stars for good cast and sets.