Population: 11

We stumbled on this randomly in a desperate search for something watchable on the wasteland that is streaming services.

Well, lucky us because we were genuinely shocked by how good this was.

Initially convinced this was a comedy, Population 11 is actually a carefully crafted mixture of comedy, drama, suspense, and mystery.

Most importantly, all the key elements of a quality show are here.

They developed authentic feeling characters, included multiple twists, and created a believable world, all using dialogue that sounds natural.

This is one sleeper I hope a lot of people manage to find because it is exceptional storytelling.

Well done to writers, cast, and crew.

Started watching, seemed ok, but the more episodes I watched, I realised that the writers had made the protagonist to stupid in his actions, personality and character that I just couldn't root for him to get the money he's after. Maybe they had a reason for that, but I can't see it. The Australian actors/characters are good for their part in the story, and I'm just watching the rest of it purely for closure. I doubt I'll watch a second season, should it ever come to be.

If they'd written it as a pure mystery; there's enough of a plot for it to have been rather good. I think, also, there's enough quirks amongst the town's population to have given it something different to the usual drama we see nowadays. Ah, well.

EDIT: Ok, just finished watching ep12... The unraveling and solution to the ongoing mystery was a surprising twist, and I'll probably watch a second season. Still don't like the protagonist, though, but I'll knock my initial review of 4 up to 5.

It wanted to be Only Murders In The Building, or Twin Peaks, or maybe Schitts Creek. Letterkenny maybe?

But those shows had great writing, and a large cast of good, some great, actors. This one? Not so much.

The writers and showrunner needed to pick a lane, while they tried to drill down to a central storyline.

Instead we get an unsuccessful mish-mash that kept us hoping for more, only to be ultimately disappointed.

Ben Feldman as Andy, our anti-hero protagonist, is surprisingly good, given the goofy plotting and set pieces. Perry Mooney as Cassie is acceptable as his not-quite-love-interest, but she shows up late to the game, and her dimpled charm becomes too muted.

There are so many subplots, a problem in this sub genre, that it's hard to keep track of all of them. Drug running, money laundering, UFO Tour scam, missing dad (dead dad?), crooked and inept cops, strange hobbyists (Welcome To Marwen came to mind), a food business with a very gross secret...and that isn't all. There's a podcast too (Bodkin perhaps?).

As is required in this type of series the tiny town (Population 12, now 11) has an inordinate amount of goofballs, weirdos and sexual deviates. Which makes finding any of them relatable, much less likable, nearly impossible. That heavy lifting is left to Andy, an admittedly corrupt bank employee, and Cassie, who has a hidden agenda. And while both are charming they don't reveal their softer sides until the last few episodes.

One reviewer notes that the series "tries too hard", and I've got to agree. Pare back a half dozen sub plots and work on character.

I fast forwarded through most of the second half (12 episodes) and really felt like I hadn't missed much.

The payoff at the end...feels less like a payoff than a warm glass of water. Nothing startling, revealing or satisfying.

While I don't recommend it, I have to say I wish it had cashed some of the checks it wrote in the first two episodes. Could have been good.

If you are not paying attention to the quality product coming from down under, you are missing out. Mystery Road (the original) is awesome. Mr. In-Between is unforgettable, especially the episode where the protagonist goes after a local who abducted a child. And Deadloch is like Fargo, wacky and interesting at the same time (early Fargo, not recent Fargo!). Population 11 seems to aiming for zany, and hits the mark more often than it misses. The writing is the hook, and there is dialog here that sneaks up on you and, before you realize it, you find yourself laughing out loud. (S01E01 -- Officer Geraldine, claiming the reward after producing a generic and nondescript boot -- "That's for you to figure out. Now's the time for you to cough up the reward money.") Smooth! ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I expected this to be just another cheesy outback drama like the tourist. Don't get me wrong, the tourist was watchable but also forgettable. Season 2 was Meh!. This one I found myself really enjoying and stayed up way past my bedtime on a "school night" before dragging myself away and then finished it off the next day. I won't lie, I expected this to be something I'd watch between better options. I'm pleasantly surprised.

I picked up on the Last Stop Larrimah storyline pretty quick, which I enjoyed seeing the characters based on real life people and elements woven in. All very Aussie but have a hidden side that makes you wonder about why they moved to a town so remote and what they were really getting away from. Growing up in a country town, I get how small communities can be. But where most show's will add in stereotype characters and let the star shine, this show gave depth to each character and developed a story for each. This was one of the few shows where the characters were not so predictable. It's great to enjoy the wider cast rather than be annoyed by them.

Loved the film making. Trent O'Donnell is becoming one of those directors who is popping up everywhere. Even the US version of Ghosts!!!! The other people behind this show are also great and have made shows I've enjoyed. I loved that the actors were people who have worked with this crew before. You can see that they are bringing talent with them and it makes for amazing TV.