Riptide

Just another example of Australia's terrible 'connection' with mystery dramas. It's time for some euro/scandi writers and directors to come south to mentor and teach us how to do things properly.

I'll admit that we're still watching episode 1, but I can't imagine that things are going to improve.

The cast list shows so much promise and potential, but the script that they've been tasked with delivering lacks structure and maturity.

Already, there have been so many lines that people just don't say - including police information and processes that just don't align with reality.

And let's not get started on the terrible wardrobe choices. They seem to be strictly sticking to stereotypes and have no idea on reality. Yes, I'm definitely judging them all for what they wore to the funeral.

Without the 'victim' having set funeral rules, gay sons don't show up in anything but a dark suit, and wives don't show up in a floral dress with a long dark cardigan.

One last thing, did he really go missing off the Mornington Peninsula in Port Phillip Bay? There's not even anywhere that would allow anyone to seriously surf.

It might have been good, had the sound not been so poor! Music and sound effefts killed the dialogue, could only understand less than half spoken. It's not easy when you're hard of hearing and your hearing aids have to be turned down because the music is too high. Seems the norm these days, for all shows and films.

The acting was wooden and uninspiring, and unbelievable, and that was just episode one. This 4 part show could've been done and dusted in one episode, I imagine.

I'll watch all four and see if it can redeem itself, but not holding my breath. Its a pity because I like Jo Joyner, especially in comedy.

I wanted so much to like this because I just adore Jo Joyner in Shakespeare & Hathaway and I was excited she would have a lead role in an Aussie series. Boy what a disappointment! Firstly it was s-l-o-w with long pauses and the dialogue was as if written for a daytime soap. Did the Neighbors scriptwriters and crew work on this in between series? As for Jo all I could see was a cheery Luella from S&H. Sadly, I don't think she had the range to show the emotion that was required for this role. Now the daughter...ugh.... too old for the role, stilted, wooden acting and a whining Aussie accent. I cringed everytime she appeared, which was far too often. This series is a cringe-worthy snoozefest and very, very disappointing. Jo is a great comedy actress though.

So I thought about turning this series off more times than I can remember, but something (maybe the Sunday afternoon lull) compelled me to keep watching...

Jo Joyner carries this show, not sure why she felt the need to head across the pond but hey Ho a job is a job and whilst the acting at times is wooden by the cast, overall it's fairly watchable. Very typical of Australian soap, think neighbours/home and away. (Why is Australia filming always very grey?!)

Yes, I'm massively confused by why they chose an English mum and dad and an Australian actor for the daughter but i managed to overlook this and somewhat enjoy overall.

The idea behind Riptide, whilst hardly original, could have been something that might have been very interesting.

But almost everything about it was "unbelievable" it had so many flaws that we kept watching thinking it could get better.

But it really doesn't.

There were too many occasions when belief was suspended beyond normal levels of expectation.

The bad "guy" is flagged too easily so there was no suspense as the episodes unfolded.

Elementary questions by all involved were never asked including Police procedures.

It was quite insulting for viewers thinking that we'd buy these continual misjudgments and events that really are beyond reasonable belief.

Broadcasters shouldn't take their audience for granted and expect them to like a "drama" like which was of such poor quality.

We're not C5 Watchers so this hasn't endeared us to this Channel.