Deadloch

I think this is probably quite marmite but personally I absolutely love it. It's sort of an Australian even-more-sweary Hot Fuzz? Madeleine Sami's character is definitely very loud and annoying but she is very clearly meant to be so; I think she's brilliant and it's a great counter-point to some of the more subtle humour in the show, which mainly comes from Kate Box's general air of competent resignation. The supporting cast are all excellent in their own ways too. It sort of gently takes the p*ss out of a lot of modern, very right-on culture but in a friendly way. I think this is a show that will become a cult classic - at least for me anyway! I can't wait for the next episodes.

Despite a start that was a little shaky at times Deadloch always had the bones of a good story and some good story telling - a tribute to a great script by Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, two of the funniest women I've seen on TV in many years, with wit and tongue as sharp as a tack. And make no mistake, the tongue is in full stride here, so if you are word squeamish - hahah - get over yourself - there is some brilliant banter and dialogue from two of the best at razor sharp spiteful and insightful barbs.

My only criticism is probably about the direction of Madeline Sami's character Eddie - the cop from Darwin. Unfortunately this part is over-played in the first few episodes and jolts well beyond what was needed - we get it, she's rough as guts, now move on. Thankfully this gradually wound back - presumably as dictated by the story arc - and eventually the energy was more finely judged and didn't jar.

Kate Box is brilliant in the lead as Dulcie an ex-bigtown cop on a tree change with her massive pain-in-the-butt partner Cath - Alicia Gardiner. Cath manages to embody everything that is annoying and aggravating with tree change feminist chic - a self absorbed air-head of epic proportions.

Under all the human drama - and there's plenty of it - is a very satisfying and tightly controlled murder mystery - well worthy of an international audience. Also worth mentioning that the only cultural cringe evident is from self aware story telling as opposed to self deluded narcissism.

Suffice to say this is a rollicking good yarn once it gets going with plenty to keep viewers interested and on the hook. A great comedy-drama-mystery well deserving of an 8.

I don't get the negative reviews at all. This had me hooked and thoroughly entertained, laughing out loud many times. I love a dark comedy which this is. The characters are real people as opposed to unrealistic ones. Great acting and I hope they do more episodes. I had not seen any of these actors in anything else before but would definitely watch anything the main character's are in again. The term lingua amputo had me in stitches. This is raw, earthy, dark, funny and well written. Satirical and not like anything else I've seen before. Well done to all ... and as I say please let's have some more episodes!

I'm doing this review after the 3rd episode, but I must say I'm looking forward to the rest. I confess watching for Kate Box, who, in my opinion, is one of those rare actresses who always plays her roles perfectly. I'd also recommend Wentworth (even if she only comes towards the end, as the whole series is a masterpiece) and Rake. From the reviews, I understand that it's not for everyone. The most important thing for this series is to take it for what it is: a comedy. I made the mistake, it seems like many others, of believing it was a drama with comic elements, and I have to say that the first few minutes consisted of arduous viewing. It was only after the sequence of police cars dramatically heading in one direction before turning around to continue their journey just as dramatically, that I changed my view of the series. Indeed, the characters are practically all caricatures: the wife of the main character, usually a man but still, who is bored to death and spends her time worrying about whether her wife has eaten properly; the teenagers who wander around finding all sorts of corpses and clues; the coroner and his music that tires everyone; the younger polices who can't tell their left from their right, and so on. In short, Deadloch pokes fun at the clichés of police intrigues- because is it really true that only women poison...? - and serves us a humorous series in which we can still look for a culprit.

A typical Aussie comedy with a dash of murder mystery! I could understand how it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it had my Mum and I in stitches. Parts of the story were, at times, predictable. However it almost feels like this was on purpose - in a way poking fun at the traditional murder mystery genre. I loved the diverse cast and seeing lots of familiar faces. Box definitely stands out as her character is probably the only "seriously" acted characher and she gives a great performance. I actually like the contrast between the Nordic style vibe and then the ridiculous Aussie acting. It's a bit of fun and an easy watch with a bit of mystery too. If you're easily entertained and still laugh at naughty words you'll get a kick out of it.