Serangoon Road

I think 'vapid' was a bit harsh; it's a little messy and yes, a bit predictable, but I like it! What I do NOT like is the fact I can't hear half the dialogue for the blasted background noise! It might be really clever, and well thought-out, but if it were more important than the actual actors' speech, you may as well call it 'foreground noise' and tell us all to turn on the subtitles. It's extremely annoying -please adjust the levels, and I'll continue to watch. Thank-you. Addendum, following an online message from you: 1) I've said what I wanted to say -why should it be a minimum of ten lines?! 2) Please don't tell me how to spell -I AM an Englishman, writing CORRECTLY IN English, and that is how the word 'dialogue' IS spelt! If you've set your stupid system to that thing which is ridiculously called 'American English', just because some cretin decided that he would change the future spelling of MY native language, which had been richly composed of words from many cultures, over several hundred years, then that's your stupid choice. And now it's well over ten lines, I'm pretty annoyed, and will probably not be able to watch your show in future without becoming annoyed again, so thanks for that, too!

I don't tend to watch a lot of Asian cinema or TV but Serangoon Road may change that. I am finding the show really enjoyable. Perhaps the characters and story lines are a little stereotypical but the writing is strong, the atmosphere emotive and Don Hany and Joan Chen are never less than brilliant. I am captivated week in and week out with the story so far. I hadn't actually noticed any difficulty with sound as mentioned by other reviewers - although as I have been overseas for a few weeks I have watched the majority of the episodes on line (wearing earphones) so perhaps that had a bearing. The fashion and hairstyles of the era have been an interesting side issue for me ... as a Gen X I can barely remember how truly awful some of the fabrics were back on those days but Serangoon Road has definitely remained on the side of authenticity as the clothing looks really uncomfortable!

I know virtually nothing about postwar Singapore, so I find the story and setting of ABC/HBO Asias 'Serangoon Road' quite convincing. As a noir drama in a steamy tropical locale at a turbulent point in history, it's appealing viewing and beautifully shot. Serangoon Road itself is vividly recreated, and the trappings of British colonialism juxtaposed with Singaporean culture make for lavish sets.

The detective agency is the catalyst for some compelling stories that play off the political tumult of the era and the mounting racial tensions. Joan Chen is as beautiful, elegant and interesting as usual and Pamelyn Chee is a quaint, witty and clever as detective Su Ling. Her carefully cultivated accent is lyrical, and she lends the script some light moments as she fends off the advances of the persistent (but gentlemanly) CIA agent Conrad Harrison. I kind of adore her, I think she's a really fun character, and it's nice to have sympathetic and intelligent female leads in a period drama.

Don Hany really carries the show as the protagonist, Australian ex-pat Sam Callaghan. His rugged good looks and complicated past (in Changi and later the military) make him an engaging character, and Hany has the acting chops to pull this off. He's appropriately brooding and intense and, let's be honest, kind of gorgeous. Alaric Tay is great as his hapless colleague Kang, too.

Sadly Maeve Dermody, playing Callaghan's married love interest, isn't very good, and her lacklustre performance undermines the show. She seems too young and inexperienced to be convincing, and delivers most of her lines in a flat monotone without subtlety. It's difficult to understand what Callaghan sees in her. She's pretty, but awkward and hesitant. I think she's punching above her weight with this production. It's a shame they couldn't find someone with the skills to make her scenes with Hany really shine. Jeremy Lindsay Taylor is similarly unimpressive as her husband, but they haven't given him much to work with.

I enjoy this show chiefly for it's visual beauty and the period details (regardless of their historical authenticity) and for the performances of Joan Chen and Don Hany. If you're looking for something more than this, you may be disappointed, but it's worth watching.

As a Singaporean, coming across an English drama series that defines an era of change is hard to come by both in terms of depth and originality. My review may seem biased as i've only watched an episode (half an episode to be honest) but unlike those slapstick nonsensical series which have plague local airwaves with their superficial story lines and amateurish acting, this is something entirely different. It is a mind boggling piece of art that has long been overdue. I personally love its historical references of my home country and the appearances a local cast of actors makes it that little more intrinsic. The settings and environments bring a sense of nostalgia with props and costumes of that era. I would recommended it to anyone.

This series is meant to entertain. It doesn't claim to be a documentary or factual history or personal experience. It's just entertainment - don't expect it to be anything else. Of course there are character stereotypes standard dialogue and familiar plot lines - after more than 100 years of filming, what movie doesn't contain those things? The actors are good and the scenery and background activity appear very authentic. I've spent considerable time in Singapore (in recent years of course!), and the backdrops look real enough to me, even given that the series is set in 1964. Chill out and be entertained for a while - or watch something else.