Los sobrevivientes

Nothing about the plot, the set of characters, the picturesque setting, the whodunnit element etc is particularly inventive or different from a hundred things you've seen before.

BUT the difference here is that the script is intelligent and fresh, the character development unexpectedly deep and affecting and the whole thing is carried off quite expertly without the usual 'groan moments' we so often get. The performances of main characters Kieran, Verity and Mia are particularly strong.

You need to stay with it through a couple of episodes for these qualities to blosssom. You could do a lot worse for entertainment.

I enjoyed the show quite a lot, the backdrop of a small tight knit town, managed to watch the episodes as soon as they dropped, currently on episode 4, it may become a sleeper hit, it might also cure your insomnia, in a good way though not a bad way, it's clear to see that the bay and a murder mystery can put people at arms length or make you question what you did wrong all those years ago.

Put aside some time over the weekend or during your week and give the show a chance, there may be too many characters but in a small town everyones a suspect.

Several characters could've and probably should've dropped off after episode three but it'll peek a viewing experience.

Give it a go, you may just like it.

I did get frustrated by the apparent slow pace of the first three episodes. It seemed like the story was dawdling and meandering without obvious purpose.

However, from Ep.4 onwards, I started to become more engaged in the plot. Perhaps I was starting to get my memory of all the names into proper place - confusing at first!

The denouement in the last two episodes was generally quite gripping. In some ways more of a "what actually happened" than a straight out "whodunnit". Perhaps the most captivating part of the series was the location. A quaint seaside location with beaches, cliffs and caves is a great adjunct to the intrigues of plot development.

Ultimately I did feel rewarded for sticking it out to the climactic end - enough to forgive one or two plausibility weaknesses that are probably inevitable with this type of mystery drama.

If you're a fan of Broadchurch and the like, then you should try The Survivors and approach it with patience in the first half of the series.

No pun intended - one might think: well this seems like an open and shut case ... well if that is what you thought ... you can guess it now: you guessed wrong. I think the show runs a bit longer than it should have, but it still is very well written and played. And the characters - actors portraying them of course - really give it their all - very well drawn (drown?) - again no pun intended.

I didn't know what to expect from this - but I reckon it did succeed ... and I was entertained - though I reckon it's more like I was really interested in where this would be going ... with reveals upon reveals ... and they do seem to make sense too. At least they do pass the (fast) smell test ... no pun intended.

After reading the book, was really looking forward to seeing the production of this compelling story. I understand that movies and series rarely live up to or measure up to the novel, but this is a real let down. Not sure whether it is the ordinary (over) acting, the screenplay and or the directing, but this is B Grade at best. Sorry to say that, as there are some quite well known and good actors involved in the series. On a positive, the scenery is great! And why in Australian productions do they (nearly) always portray the police as halfwits? Thespian theatrical bias showing? It lets down productions time and time again. Disappointing, unfortunately. Could have and should have been so much better.