Wakefield

Wakefield is a difficult show to watch at time, partly because of the subject matter, and partly because it's so real.

But the pay-off is a beautifully scripted story, superb direction, spectacular scenery and a set of flawless performances from an incredible Australian ensemble cast. Oh, and an Englishman as the star, although his Australian accent is so surprisingly good, I think we will make him an honorary Aussie.

The final episode left me sitting quietly for a while contemplating what I'd just watched.

If you want something that is seriously cerebral but still capable of making you burst out laughing, Wakefield is for you.

I support this very excellent work . . . By EVERYone. All aspects . . . Stunningly creative, intelligent. I would not even write a review if I wasn't unable to find my two misgivings anywhere here addressed, so I'll add: the musicality.

Difficult for me since I don't, in the main, enjoy musicals. One, maybe two exceptions. This is not one of them. HowEVER. I do see, once the 'mystery' is solved, why. Literally.

Additionally I appreciate that the full spectrum of feeling is explored as an intrinsic aspect of the nature of the entire work and music may be the only way to achieve a certain aspect of joy.

Then there's the pace. This was just too long by one or two episodes. Too slow in some spots especially given the complexities and discomforts. Asking your audience to sit and simmer in the soup is, I think, too much.

But a difficult conclusion at which to arrive given the amazing work overall.

My solution: to click on ALL the tens in the reviews and rate an 8/10.

This mini series has everything, quality drama doesn't get any better than this! To Rudi Dharmalingam, what an amazing achievement, not just brilliant acting but to nail the Aussie accent better than any non-Australian. Geraldine Hakewell, Mandy McIllheny and every actor in the series, take a bow, you were all superb, and made your character believable. To the writers, producers, directors and the ABC..... thank you.

I finished watching one thing and this was the next in the queue of the platform I had on. I didn't bother to stop it and once it started, I couldn't stop watching it until the end of Episode 8 - at 3 AM. It is a mesmerizing look into being human on this planet. It shows scale and scope subtly. You watch people morph and change. The methods it uses is unusual, but that's what makes this film so remarkable and memorable, along with the cinematography, the story line and acting. It is about 2 episodes too long. There are some characters we don't need to know THAT well. Absolutely keep Tessa and James - Wow! Don't forget Linda. And actually fell madly in love with Zelco (we think alike), but there are some others that are fluff who could have remained in the background and the story would have not been as diluted, thus the 8 stars. As one reviewer said, Read all the 9 and 10 star reviews - they are worth it!!!

Only 2 eps in and I am already convinced this will go down in history as one of the best Aussie shows ever made. Uniquely moving and important.