Vigil

So many reviews here, posted after the first episode aired, are heavily criticising the programme because someone wore the wrong sort of hat. What next? Star Trek is awful because space monsters don't live on Mars?

I don't care about the navy, what hats they wear, how they steer submarines around and other finicky details. I do care about entertainment and watching enjoyable shows. I am quite able to suspend disbelief and enjoy all kinds of fiction, including Vigil.

So, three episodes in, this is shaping up to be a very engaging drama. What is particularly impressive is the pacing. It's a show that takes you along with a solid story and great acting.

If you can't get beyond the fact someone has buttoned up their shirt incorrectly then this is not for you. If you are happy to enjoy a fictional drama for what it is, give it a go.

I come from Royal Navy heritage and find the way the RN are portrayed quite offensive. The story is utterly implausible and full of real life inaccuracies, but put all that aside and remember that this is a TV drama and not real life and it is actually a gripping show. I could write loads on the flaws (you never, ever call a Coxwain or Petty Officer 'Sir' for example), and I agree with the comments about BBC wokeness, but the actors are good, so I have no issues with their selection. So suspend your disbelief, sit back and enjoy a decent British drama.....

This is a thrilling six part series from The BBC, I've seen some hilarious comments about realism, it's very obvious that this is meant to thrill and entertain, not inform.

It's claustrophobic, energetic, gripping and fast paced, one of the best shows The BBC have out out in quite a while.

The acting is first rate, the best of Suranne Jones, Shaun Evans is also fantastic, the whole cast are terrific. Production values are off the scale, it looks incredible.

Part one gives you a massive shock, it doesn't hold back at any point, it's unforgiving and relentless. Part 5 is the peak for me, Part 6.....you'll either love it or hate it.

....Think Line of Duty meets Spyship, a 1980's BBC series, it's a cracking mix of both.

Loved it, 9/10.

Just a late update, I much preferred Series one to Series two, the ship setting added a level of claustrophobia, that the second series badly needed.

Firstly, let me make it clear that this is a murder mystery/conspiracy thriller set (partially) on a submarine and NOT a documentary about submarines, the navy, or nuclear missiles. As such there are inevitable inaccuracies and dramatic licenses taken (as they are in every legal drama, medical drama or police procedural). If you didn't like Line of Duty because it wasn't 'realistic' enough perhaps this one is not for you. If, however, you are able to suspend your belief for a few hours you might enjoy what seems to be a well written and superbly acted thriller.

***Mild spoilers***

In the modern way, Vigil opens with not one but two, big dramatic events that propel the plot forward. We are then given a somewhat silly plot contrivance to get DCI Amy Silva (a superb Suranne Jones) onto a Trident class submarine for three days in novel setting for the classic locked room murder mystery. The submarine feels suitably claustrophobic (although not enough for some of the previous reviews) and all the crew appear to be hiding something. Back on Land, DC Kirsten Longacre (Game of Thrones Rose Leslie), a former lover of DCI Silva's, investigates the naval barracks and some nearby anti-nuclear missile protesters.

The first episode had some heavy lifting to do introducing the characters and setting but the twin strands of the plot were intriguing, made even more so by that fact that Longacre was able to send messages to Silva but not the other way around. Aside from the use of a few tropes (tortured detective with a Past, big organisation closing ranks, etc) I found the show thrilling with precise camera work and skilful direction. Suranne Jones really is magnificent and Shaun Evans standouts as one of the few nice guys on the boat. If the show can continue to draw out performances from its excellent cast while keeping the plot afloat (!) then it should be a thrilling ride.

Very nice series,keeps you anticipating for the next episode! A real spy thrilles series,most of the action happens into a submarine.it's a serious ,well played and directed new series.