The Catch

Yet another long drawn out non-thriller. As 90 minute TV movie it might have worked but I was bored by the end of the first episode. The plot was predictable with no surprises along the way and the ending was nothing but a series of pure cinematic cliches. We know what is going on, the protagonist knows it as well, but we have to endure four hours of mediocre acting and dialogue drowned out by the over loud incidental music.

Jason Watkins' talent is wasted as the protagonist whom no one believes, Aneurin Barnard is too lightweight for the role and the two main female characters were little more than set dressing. And as for the granny; is dementia the new stick to beat us with as it seems to be popping up everywhere lately.

Still grieving for the death of his son, Ed takes an instant dislike to his naughtier Abbie's new boyfriend Ryan. Things are going wrong for Ed, but who is responsible.

I honestly have no idea what the ridiculously low ratings refer to, definitely not this four part series, without any doubt of Channel five's best offerings, and I'd argue one of the better dramas of 2023 so far.

I certainly missed Crompton's writing skills in the recent series of Silent Witness, he was missed, but his skills were out to good use, bringing this four part drama to life. Channel five dramas can be hit and miss, I'd argue this one was definitely a hit.

Four episodes worked well, it allowed it to nice up through the gears quite quickly, it never felt slow or laboured, and whilst the mystery may be a little obvious, the journey is a very good one.

It's a very well produced drama, it looks great, Dublin looking fantastic.

The acting was excellent, Jason Watkins did a great job, I thought Aneurin Barnard was fantastic, I'm so glad he's been cast in the next series of Doctor Who, what a talent.

8/10.

This was most disappointing. The cast was unlikeable, the acting was awful, the whole thing was just pretty rubbish. The book I enjoyed but certainly wouldn't reccomend this! Was like some kind of mid afternoon made for tv film! The plot changes were either pointless or weren't as good as the original. The main characters didn't seem believable and wee all just a bit weird. Even the daughter didn't come across in any way that made you really care about her, it's quite a feat to make a cast all so I likeable but they managed it. That's all surprising considering the cast, I was expecting more!!

I'm a big fan of Jason Watkins, he's a very watchable actor in my opinion. He's very safe and dependable with what I would describe as a raw vulnerability. He really carries the weight of this show although the other actors are decent too. Okay it's not the most surprising murder mystery drama I've ever seen but I found myself happy to coast along and watch to the end. A few more twists would have been good and the final episode is perhaps the weakest which is a shame but it's a solid seven out of ten. If you want to pick holes this is going to provide a few but otherwise just go for the ride.

This series passes the time, but is full of predictable, and implausible things. The last half hour, in particular, is a ticklist of bad film/TV cliches. It is set in Cornwall but filmed in Ireland, and the makers are careless with background detail and accents that betray that fact. Characterisation is mostly two dimensional, and acting mediocre. Actions taken by several characters are often some combination of stupid, implausible or self-contradictory as to their motives. Channel 5 have commissioned several series like this, and they all suffer from the same faults. For all this, it's watchable if your expectations are not high.