alicechisnall-87323

This gritty, gutwrenching tale critiques religious extremism and dogma, particularly through its portrayal of Brigham Young and militant settlers, highlighting the violence and oppression fueled by fanatical beliefs. The series explores systemic racism and white privilege by depicting the struggles of Indigenous communities, such as the Shoshone, against displacement and violence driven by colonial expansion.

It also examines the intersections of power and money, showing how economic motives corrupt moral values and perpetuate societal hierarchies. With these themes, the series reflects on historical injustices while drawing parallels to modern issues of racial oppression, Indigenous land rights, and the pursuit of power and wealth.

Characters are well-developed and nuanced, with standout performances from Saura Lightfoot-Leon and Shea Wigham. By not giving in to the tired American trope of "good guys with guns and God always win", this series offers a more realistic portrayal of what life was probably like during colonisation.

I'm gutted I have to wait another week to see what happens next! It's quite rare that I identify with so many characters in one show. Having lived in Blenheim during the quakes, I know the locations and people well, but no amount of familiarity will ever make up for good character development and a compelling story. Motherhood can be a blessing and a curse as every parent knows, and this story smacks you in the face with all the feels around both loving your family desperately and being weighed down by them. Seamlessly weaving Maori and Pakeha themes of whanau together with obligation, tension and longing, I'm both excited for the next episode and scared it'll all be over too soon!

I lived on the West Coast and I've visited Gloriavale and seen for myself the sadness and trauma inflicted on those who live there. While the concept of communal living may seem ideal to those of us trapped in the lonely cycle of rampant consumerism, Gloriavale, like all other cults, trades belonging for total control. Anyone with a passing knowledge of the teachings of Jesus Christ probably know he'd be rolling over in his grave over the goings-on inside the Cooperites compound.

This documentary covered a number of years, and intertwined beautifully shot interviews with emotionally fraught reenactments. I've watched dozens of true crime docos, and I've always wondered why the production team never made a concerted effort to recreate costumes and cast people who looked similar to those they were portraying. With this show, it actually took me watching the credits of the first episode to realise some scenes had been scripted!

The music was haunting and perfectly timed to produce tension, while the furtive movements and gestures of the cast perfectly captured the real-life Gloriavale inhabitants mannerisms and complete servitude to the cult leaders.

I would love to see an ongoing series documenting the families who've left, and how they're integrating into life outside Glorivale.

The last scenes were truly heartbreaking, and while I'm not prone to hyperbole, I dare any viewer to complete this series without shedding a tear. Or at least being moved to looking up the Gloriavale Leavers Trust to see how one can donate to the cause.