The Stranger

This eight-part ITV mini-series based on a Harlan Coben novel provided three hours of breathless lockdown entertainment for my wife and I. With more twists and turns than a Pleasure Beach rollercoaster, you couldn't rest for a second before the next plot turn came around the corner.

Richard Armitage is the happily married solicitor whose life is turned upside down and inside out when a mysterious young woman reveals to him a dark secret of his wife, which eventually leads to their separation and even deeper consequences as matters progress. Turns out that this young woman has made a cottage industry unearthing skeletons from other prominent citizens resident in Armitage's seemingly blissfully happy village, but what at first seems to be a simple get-rich-quick ruse turns nasty when the local coffee-shop owner is murdered.

But of course that ain't all, not by a long-shot. Being a Coben adaptation, there are about a bazillion sub-plots raging and cross-cutting in the background, including a cantankerous retired cop who won't give up his old flat to a property developer, a teenage girl supplementing her income by selling sexual favours via an online sexting app, the narcissistic big-shot at her beck and call, an embezzlement scandal at the local boys football club, a soft-drug-fuelled silent rave held by the local teenagers which goes horrendously wrong for one young lad who ends up naked and near-death in hospital and as for the poor alpaca which becomes a ritual sacrifice at the party...

And there's even more, as Armitage's old rake of a father, who owns the property company trying to buy out the reluctant home-owner, also has a dark secret from his Casanova past and just to top it off, there's a crooked cop who'll do anything to finance the medical bills to find a cure for the mysterious illness his daughter is suffering.

I'm almost breathless just recounting all this. Anyway, while it's all completely bonkers and fantastical, somehow all the connections make a sort of crazy sense leading to a satisfying conclusion when the mystery of Armitage's wife's disappearance is finally solved.

With an interesting and varied cast including the likes of Jennifer Saunders, Paul Kaye and Steven Rea, the pace never flags as intrigue is piled on intrigue and one cliffhanging situation leads to another.

Dull, it certainly wasn't.

I enjoyed this show. After watching the first episode on a Friday night, I felt compelled to watch another three, and then the remaining episodes the following day.

Lots of twists, and some interesting characters kept me intrigued - I especially liked Hannah John-Kamen's portrayal of The Stranger.

Some things bothered me, though. Why do all of these people live literally in the same road, opposite each other, go to the same school, attend the same football club, etc. That seemed a little too 'convenient' for me. These, and some other coincidences (which you'll see) made things a bit detracting for me. This all culminated in an ending which was OK but, again, just a little too convenient.

Having said all of that, it was quite an entertaining eight episodes and I'd recommend giving it watch!

Ok; to me, this story was unbeliavable. In a way that there is no way one can believe the events described in the series. Even if we suspend belief for the entertainment value, there are too much inconsistencies, twists and coincidences that start to bother right from the beginning. In order not to give spoilers I won't go into detail but there are some major moments which are too soap opera that I forgot I was watching a thriller/ crime mystery adapted from a novel by one of the most successful writers of this genre. Then I remembered that the only novel I've read from H. Coben was not to my taste either.

Adaptation was also basic. Whenever something significant happens we are kindly reminded of the moment that is related to that revelation by flashbacks, why? I guess because we are too stupid to make the connection by ourselves.

The acting; I really enjoyed watching Anthony Head (Although I must admit his acting is always the same acting since Buffy, which is fine by me). Kaye was good, Dooley was good, so were all the actors/actresses in the second roles, the children especially. Husband was ok. I had a problem with Kirwan's adoring mother portrayal . It was just not convincing . And the lead dedective Jo (?) character did bother me . I think the ending was an insult to her , a quick fix in her personal and professional life. The actress was trying hard but there was no purpose or depth in her character.

To sum up, very superficial, meaningless, like an AI generated story ... that I could not stop watching because it had a junk food quality to it. Everyone likes to watch beautiful houses and cars and people with beautiful clothes on, with the exception of the bad guys of course. They were not fashionable :) I also kind of wondered what will happen in the end , not to the characters because they became so annoying that I did not care anymore , but I wanted to see how they will tie everything up. It was done quickly .

So a success despite all the flaws. A crowd pleaser. But if you are serious about crime fiction, watch Hinterland instead. I wish there was more of that one.

Binge-watched the full series today, and happy to report that it was well worth it. Certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat and unlike so many series nowadays, it doesn't leave you waiting for another series - it actually has an ending! Great acting throughout, a good story and definately worth a watch.

This right part series will surprise and entertain you. You'll reach the half way point and feel that a solution to the events is virtually impossible, there truly are so many plot threads in the first few episodes. Stick with it, as it is worth your time, the best episode is Part 7, which had me on the edge of my seat, the conclusion will be divisive, though personally I liked it.

It may have you questioning how much of your information is online in different places, particularly on social media.

Plenty of red herrings to keep you puzzled, and scratching your head. I love a mystery, if you enjoyed the series 'Safe' you'll appreciate this one. Lots of action too, with some great car chases and on foot chases.

A magnificent cast, so many perform, though I'd share the accolades between Richard Armitage and Siobhan Finneran, the pair are terrific.

Personally I hope they leave it as just the one series, though I'm sure there's an itch to do a second.

Really enjoyed, 8/10