Wanted

Georges Polti, in his classic treatise from the 19th century, claimed that there were only 36 dramatic situations and all stories are either based on one of those or a combination of few. In crime genre on TV most plots have become a mélange of well-used ingredients. Only through nuanced acting, competent direction, editing and camera-work the repetition can be tolerated and the show becomes watchable despite its lack of originality.

Two episodes into Wanted if you get the feeling of I've-seen-this-before-but-not-really, you're not alone. Wanted is so far a dive into a very familiar pool, yet I don't mind looking at the third offering and so on unless it runs out of breath in later episodes. The story is developing in the familiar unbelievably predictable and predictably unbelievable fashion, but it moves fast. So far, it is an "odd couple on the run" story with "bent cops" and "the devil incarnate hit-man" on their tail. There is also a hint of '24' style development with the baddies exposing themselves gradually in a stratified structure (how else would they sustain the chase for 12 eps?) No matter. It has Rebecca Gibney, maturing gracefully both as a woman and as an actor, and she is a joy to watch. We may have met her character, Lola, before on paper and on screen (attractive older woman with a compromised past and a big heart made bitter and cynical by time and fate), but she inhabits the character with such conviction that you can tell her inner struggles from the minute expressions of her face. Geraldine Hakewille, an actor I have never encountered before, is less subtle, but she manages to put some shade into her stock character (the younger, neurotic, less prim and proper than she seems foil/buddy to the older woman).

The rest of the cast is equally capable in their stock roles. Notable also is Nicholas Bell who has the type of face that can appear avuncular or threatening simply by looking at the camera. I am not quite sure about Mirko Grillini as the dead-eyed-hit-man. He might have watched one Hollywood Mafia story too many.

Direction, sets, locales, camera-work and editing are near faultless. Wanted is unlikely to become a classic of the genre but it is watchable and it will serve as an audition piece for Australian talent yet to be swallowed by Hollywood.

Yes, the South Koreans make the best mini-series these days, but the Aussies are pushing for a respectable 2nd place. Wanted is a great entry, in the 'innocent chicks on the run' genre, said chicks being Chelsea and Lola. Chelsea is young, tall & pretty, but awkward from a monied family. Lola is older & streetwise, with a murky past. Both end up at a murder scene at a bus stop (of all places) & get chased by bad guys and cops, with a bagful of money in tow.

Chief bad guy is a crooked cop who must track the girls down & get the money to its intended recipient, a mysterious bad dude. This covers all of season 1 (6 episodes) and part of season 2, where the setting switches from the Australian outback to New Zealand. Scenery & acting is excellent. Our heroes experience several close calls (maybe a few too many), but those of us who grew up watching the old Buck Rogers space serials can forgive that.

Finally, a watchable Aussie show! I was on the lookout for very salty language or explicit content (or discovering that the 2 protagonists have fallen in love... yech... kissing... underwear)... but nope... A few uncouth words here & there...but very little up towards, thank goodness. And... no: the story didn't suffer one bit.

Compelling. Addictive. Start it on a weekend when you have time to binge. Season 3 to follow... I think.

The two leads are just excellent, the way their friendship develops is beautiful. It bowls along at a terrific pace and amuses and delights all the way through. The supporting cast are very good and it's just really, really enjoyable, watch it, you won't regret it.

I went into this series knowing nothing about it. It was refreshing to see that there was a good old fashioned Australian action/drama without needing to engage the help of Vampires, Zombies, Time Travel or Superheroes. I was hooked from the moment it started. Lola (Rebecca Gibney) captured my attention from the get go with her ability to portray a gritty-real person, a tough talking no bulls%it kind of Aussie chick who like all of us, is just trying to get through the day without the inevitable curve ball life tends to throw our way. As the episode progresses we find there is much more to Lola (Rebecca Gibney) than meets the eye, and with the introduction of her kooky counterpart Chelsea (Geraldine Hakewill), the characters begin to develop and an unorthodox relationship is formed.

In the interest of not spoiling this for anyone I will only say that this series has ticked most boxes for me with the humour, the characters and the use of so many locations around our gorgeous country. Wanted has it all and hopefully it will continue to deliver the action and drama one can expect from the likes of Rebecca Gibney. It doesn't hurt that it also stars two of the hunkiest Australian actors in the likes of - Chris Murphett (Ryan Corr) and Josh Levine (Stephen Peacocke).

There's many shows try and make this formula work (comedy-crime-drama).. but it is really so..so hard to do well. For multiple reasons, this series is as good as it truly gets.. and the main cause is Geraldine Hakewill. She is the straw that subtly stirs the whole drink. I was led to this production by following the work of Rebecca Gibney (who's also fabulous in this series..as is the entire cast). And that's what good actors and their work are all about.. just keep following their efforts, and more times than not you will be justly rewarded. Few are anywhere near as good as this production.. let's all just keep hoping they continue on from here. By nature of the story-line this one could continue, but oh what a great ride it was for the time we were privileged to be viewing should it be decided to be the end.