Deadloch

I think this is probably quite marmite but personally I absolutely love it. It's sort of an Australian even-more-sweary Hot Fuzz? Madeleine Sami's character is definitely very loud and annoying but she is very clearly meant to be so; I think she's brilliant and it's a great counter-point to some of the more subtle humour in the show, which mainly comes from Kate Box's general air of competent resignation. The supporting cast are all excellent in their own ways too. It sort of gently takes the p*ss out of a lot of modern, very right-on culture but in a friendly way. I think this is a show that will become a cult classic - at least for me anyway! I can't wait for the next episodes.

Yes, a breath of fresh air - an Australian show that should offend pretty much everyone. Deadlock is a comedy/parody that skewers police procedurals, forensic scientists, small town life, arts festivals, food culture, straight life, alternative life...the list goes on. And with all that there is a pretty reasonable murder mystery. For overseas viewers the lead detective is from Darwin - Australian Deep North like American Deep South - so she is not overacting. The use of swear words is the most clever I have seen. Not like most streaming shows where f... is used because the writers are on strike and no-one can think of anything else to say. Worth having the subtitles on to see how clever. The acting is excellent and really accentuates the characters foibles - a must watch show. Anyone for a jar of "olive tamponade"?

I don't get the negative reviews at all. This had me hooked and thoroughly entertained, laughing out loud many times. I love a dark comedy which this is. The characters are real people as opposed to unrealistic ones. Great acting and I hope they do more episodes. I had not seen any of these actors in anything else before but would definitely watch anything the main character's are in again. The term lingua amputo had me in stitches. This is raw, earthy, dark, funny and well written. Satirical and not like anything else I've seen before. Well done to all ... and as I say please let's have some more episodes!

I have to be honest...after the first 2 episodes I was ready to give up...the characters were more like caricatures, totally over the top, unbelievable and annoying!

But...it gets better, it really does.

Once someone on set managed to convince everyone to tone it down a bit, the drama and pace really ramps up, and now I'm hanging, waiting impatiently for the next episode to drop.

I'm at episode 6 now, and have to wait a week for the next instalment!

Always a good sign if you wish it could be binged!

It's a shame that they went in too hard at the beginning, as I know from chatting with others, that many viewers switched off, so that possibly explains the relatively low rating, but if you're willing to stick with it, you won't regret it!

Despite a start that was a little shaky at times Deadloch always had the bones of a good story and some good story telling - a tribute to a great script by Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, two of the funniest women I've seen on TV in many years, with wit and tongue as sharp as a tack. And make no mistake, the tongue is in full stride here, so if you are word squeamish - hahah - get over yourself - there is some brilliant banter and dialogue from two of the best at razor sharp spiteful and insightful barbs.

My only criticism is probably about the direction of Madeline Sami's character Eddie - the cop from Darwin. Unfortunately this part is over-played in the first few episodes and jolts well beyond what was needed - we get it, she's rough as guts, now move on. Thankfully this gradually wound back - presumably as dictated by the story arc - and eventually the energy was more finely judged and didn't jar.

Kate Box is brilliant in the lead as Dulcie an ex-bigtown cop on a tree change with her massive pain-in-the-butt partner Cath - Alicia Gardiner. Cath manages to embody everything that is annoying and aggravating with tree change feminist chic - a self absorbed air-head of epic proportions.

Under all the human drama - and there's plenty of it - is a very satisfying and tightly controlled murder mystery - well worthy of an international audience. Also worth mentioning that the only cultural cringe evident is from self aware story telling as opposed to self deluded narcissism.

Suffice to say this is a rollicking good yarn once it gets going with plenty to keep viewers interested and on the hook. A great comedy-drama-mystery well deserving of an 8.