La Fille d'avant

Caught on BBC iplayer over Christmas.

Everything after entering the house was (mostly) plausible, but it was based on the condition that those agreeing to the tenancy had to completely give up any privacy they once had. For me, this would have been a deal killer after reading the first of the 200 conditions. Otherwise, this was a well scripted, shot and acted drama.

Adapted by JP Delaney from his novel this is a stylish production, well directed with lovely photography and an intelligent score. Cast were OK with no standouts apart from a couple of really lame cops.

The tone of the whole show was cold and detached and will have put many viewers off. It's written as a slow burner in which the relationship between the characters slowly becomes clear, but it needed more zip.

It's not awful or brilliant and I saw it through to the end - but for me ultimately it was just too s-l-o-w moving and I spotted the twist ending some way off. Would have been better adapted as a film over a couple of hours. An average drama at best.

A quirky and different drama, and I'm pleased I persisted beyond the rather slow and tricky first episode.

A story of pure fantasy, but if you accept that, the other problems are just about tolerable. What I found hardest to accept was the character of Jane, who lurches from being quite smart to extremely naive. This gets worse as the drama unfolds.

But I liked the idea of how the house and the architect's personality are enmeshed. Makes it very different from a standard thriller.

And really only did because 8 couldn't find anything I really wanted to watch. So glad I did, dark and very clever, it had me on the edge of my seat. Great acting and an interesting plot, a little away fro the norm with its complexity, it needed concentrating on, rather than half watching. Definitely worth a watch.

The story of two women, Emma and Jane, linked by a house, and a man, Edward.

I came away from part one so confused, but curious, by the end of episode two, I was totally gripped and desperate for more, and to know the outcome.

It is pretty tough to follow, you need to be on your A game, as there is a lot going on. It does jump about quite a lot, back and forth, side to side, so watch it sober. Pacing may be an issue for some, but personally I enjoyed the way the story was told.

So many random events, drama, chaos, curiosity, you'll ask why, how and who, but ultimately there is just one single question, what happened that night? Easy to get sidetracked here in some of the strands, and there are many, but the core of the story is excellent.

I think the cast are fabulous, David Oyelowo is impressive throughout, charming and sinister.

A strange choice for The BBC I thought, putting this out Christmas week, it does deal with some pretty bleak themes, however it is worth your time, 8/10.