I can't remember many details of series 1 but I do remember even with plot holes it was great viewing. Series 2 isn't.
The premis and the first part of the first episode are actually excellent. A drone went rogue and why was that. After that promising start though, it's downhill all the way.
The plot has more holes than the average cooks collander. The acting is wooden at times and without too many spoilers sees things happening that simply wouldn't. Sometimes in a drama that's great but in this one most scenes fizzle out so you're left thinking that wouldn't happen and anyway, why did they do it?
The plot stumbles. Potential clever twists such as the gay pilot just aren't clever and certain key points are easily predictable after heavy handed hints and weak presentation. As another example the cliff hanger at the end of ep 3 is that after the SIO follows a potential or suspected terrorist into a a part of town most wouldn't normally go to, accompanied only by one unarmed air force person who really doesn't seem to like her, an unfriendly looking chap with a gun taps on her car window wanting a word.. Well I never, who could have guessed that would happen? Perhaps he's actually a British agent and there to save the story line who knows, more relevantly who cares? Ths location has the slight feel of Homeland but doesn't carry it off anywhere near as well.
There's some inter service bickering but again, it happens with no impact or relevance to the overall story. What there's even more of is domestic discussion. The fact is the pregnant DI would not be on regular duties as she is and whilst there's no doubt and no problem that her partner, who happens to be the SIO, would be in regular contact and worried about her, it features too much in this series and is a distraction from an already weak story.
The producers claim the British Air Force rather than RAF is the organisation under scrutiny , what? I suspect it's an excuse to cover the mass of implausible and incorrect processes not to mention dodgy headgear. That alone wrong foots the whole thing with wooden stereotypical characters. In itself not a problem but the interaction of civvie police and military folk stumble because of it.
I really wanted this to be good and I think Suranne Jones has performed some brilliant roles but having watched all 3 available episodes I don't think I'll be bothering checking in for the next batch there just too many small things adding up to make a big mess . A shame really.
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