Category: SMALL SCREEN REVIEWS

Reading Time: 2 minutesDeep State is an action packed, in-the-field, espionage drama. Currently there are two series. The main theme of both series is the exposure of corporate fraud and manipulation of US military policy and ventures.The settings are exotic, and the story is action-packed. But above all, the portrayal of the deep state in the context of the ‘war on terror’ is very powerful and convincing.

Reading Time: 2 minutesThis Scandinavian noir series tells the story of a Chechen suicide bombing mastermind, who had been thought to be dead, but resurfaces seeking asylum in Finland. The central figures are personally troubled members of the secret service and police force. This series delivers ample believable and entertaining bleak tension and suspense. The ever present tension and non stop developments make this a perfect series to binge-watch.

Reading Time: 4 minutesThis series tells the story of the demise of the Romanov dynasty under Czar Nicholas II. The presentation of this story is unique in that it is told simultaneously in three different ways – predominantly as a superbly cast and acted, and beautifully presented, television drama, through regular brief documentary segments, and as an additional aspect of this story, told dramatically in the bookends of this series and in short instalments throughout.

Reading Time: 4 minutesBlack Mirror is confronting, disturbing and thought-provoking, but unquestionably entertaining, television of the highest calibre.

Reading Time: 2 minutesSeries 2 is simply a different show to Series 1. It is no longer a tightly scripted psychological thriller. It has broadened its scope and expanded its focus to encompass the supporting characters. While lacking some of the first series’ focused suspense, and foreboding, the second series is still a cut above most other offerings, and undoubtedly worth watching.

Reading Time: 3 minutesAn Ordinary Woman tells the story of Marina, a 39 year old working mother who lives in Moscow. She appears to be an ordinary, if somewhat privileged, woman. However, the image of Marina, the ordinary woman, soon develops cracks. Most significantly, we discover that the flower shop is used by Marina to launder money she earns from running an online prostitution service. When one of her prostitutes is murdered, Marina’s life begins to unravel. The series also introduces a list of other family or more ordinary problems and issues. These enrich the series, creating a multilayered story line, and serve to keep the overall story grounded in ordinary issues amidst extraordinary developments. Like Marina, this series is anything but ordinary

Reading Time: 5 minutes‘The Sinner’ is a two series mystery and at times mystical crime drama. It stands out from the crowd of other television crime drama series. It does so by staying away from predictable plots, and cliched characters, while intelligently tackling some of the most complex personal and societal issues. The storylines and the issues addressed in the two series were notably original and poignant. This resulted in creating a show that offers much more than mere entertainment.

Reading Time: 2 minutesThis excellent ten-episode first series of black drama/comedy is thoroughly enjoyable and consequently highly addictive. Judy and Jen are very likeable, larger than life characters. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are perfectly cast as characters who are alike, yet very different to each other. This series is a breath of fresh air. It is not bleak, crude or violent. While the language is very colourful, it is not gratuitously crude.