Annika

First, to address some of the repeated complaints in other reviews - this show is based on a radio show set in Norway that also featured Nicola Walker and the breaking of the fourth wall that has upset so many is an attempt to preserve the conversational atmosphere of the podcast. For what it's worth, Scotland does indeed have a marine investigation unit tasked with investigating homicides on or in bodies of water, so no, that's not ludicrous at all, it is literally a thing.

Annika is a light, character driven show in which each episode has a different murder for the team to solve. I really enjoy Annika's reflections on literature and her dry humor as she discusses what is happening with the audience, and Walker does an astonishingly good job with the delivery as always. She's great but this may be some of her best work, as she really gets to have fun with the character. Her interactions with McGann are particularly strong as he makes an awesome straight man for her awkward character. We pretty much focus on her life and her daughter, so some of the supporting cast doesn't necessarily get the screen time they deserve.

Truly don't get why this is being rated so low. OK, so a dead body in or around the water every week is perhaps a little unlikely, but some of the little quips and dialogue is both clever and witty. Nicola Walker is excellent, the brief monologues to camera are a brave and interesting way of linking things together. Perhaps people gave up on this too early or reality TV, Mrs Brown's Boys or Hawaii 5-0 is more their idea of quality entertainment? Haters have to hate I guess. Personally, I'm hoping a second series will be forthcoming.

Quirky, breaking the 4th wall murder mystery. Living in the US Rocky Mtns, I am fascinated by and enjoy this ocean-centered police procedural, and there is no shortage here. This show sits nicely between the silly type shows (Midsomer Murders) and dreary scary murder mysteries (like Walker's own Previous show).

Funny scenes, and I love to see Walker smile... it reveals the lovely woman that she is. Love watching her deal with her quirky team and the relationship with daughter which seems positive despite Annika being very much a parachute parent.

Con: Depending on mood or episodes I love and hate this show. The breaking of the fourth wall is interesting and description of the hx and literature of Scotland that parallels the theme of the episode is educational, but sometimes can be boring. Another issue is that Annika and others can often be so deadpan I can't tell if they are funny, sarcastic and/or deadpan even with closed captions. I have a friend that's sarcastic all the time, after a while it isn't cute...just super annoying.

Thank goodness for daughter, sweet, smart, and funny, not annoyingly disrupting parent' police work....as well as a few other supporting characters. However the psychologist boyfriend is super deadpan as well. One scene between the two (season two), after they get back together, is suppose to be cute and funny but it is excruciating. My brother was stationed in Scotland and I spent a month there. Scots are funny with beautiful lilting musical voices. My brother belonged to a fishing group and said they were funny as all heck. I don't see that here.

Brilliant and clever! The stories Annika tells are echoed in the script for example bridges means the architecture that is seen and the connections that are made. I love it when everything is not spelled out for me but allows me to interpret and construct from the material which gives depth to the drama unfolding. The humour used by Annika is also enjoyable and different. The themes are explained in the stories and echoed when the crime is solved. I think many have not understood what is being used like analogies and figures of speech. The other detectives are portrayed well by the actors and provide a mix of characters to help solve each of the crimes. The setting is a bonus with great scenery. It is worth at least an eight because compared to other police procedurals it has depth and layers of meaning.

Single mom with a demanding job and a troubled/difficult teen daughter.

The lead character talking to the camera threw we for a bit, but once I got used to it, it was fine - and even a bit fun. It's funniest when she doesn't talk, but just gives the camera a wry look and a shrug like, "What can you do?"

Several who reviewed this show complained about it being too woke. Obviously they haven't watched American CBS television. The wokeness there can virtually reach out and slap you upside the head - no matter which show you're watching. Personally, I find diversity refreshing as long as I'm not being bashed over the head with it.

One aspect I really enjoy about this show is that Nicola Walker's character is smart, but she stumbles and is frequently awkward. It's like watching myself at times and I find it endearing.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely worth giving it a shot.