How wonderful that Australian drama takes a few risks. Certainly since the U.S influence of HBO series such as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Deadwood and Oz, Australians are demanding richer experiences from the small screen. In Satisfaction they surely get just that. With the advent of pay TV production houses, in this case Showtime, we get to experience the lives of people in the work place. This time the work place is unconventional. Its a brothel and while many would envisage sleaze as an undertow, sleaze it definitely isn't.
The acting pool in this country is indeed deep and the performances of these particular professionals as they deal with topics and scenes that mere mortals would find very uncomfortable is captivating. With few exceptions every scene in this series is convincing and we believe in the view we get of this slice of Australian life.
For those still not convinced they could take this home to either their wife or husband; my experience may be of interest. On placing the series on the kitchen bench in front of my wife she did comment on my choice being a little male orientated,that she wasn't surprised and that it really didn't appeal to her. I suggested she give it 15 minutes; if there was no interest then so be it. We finished the series in a week. I've not heard a word about typical male behaviors since.
The first two episodes are directed by Ken Cameron. This Australian director has, in my opinion, always been underrated. His work on this series is compelling and forms the platform by which this series builds the momentum which allows it to succeed. Don't be shy. Ask your DVD shop to get it in. Tell them it will rent like crazy. I did and it does.