Better

The only thing wrong with Better is that the BBC pitched it as "the new Happy Valley". And because they did, the show got a weird audience and critical reception.

Line of Duty is incredible, right? But if someone promised you Happy Valley and you sat down to watch Line of Duty, I don't think you'd like it much. That's what's happening here.

This isn't Line of Duty. It isn't Happy Valley. Better is in a category of its own, and it stands as tall as either of those shows do.

Leila Farzad is astonishing, like she is in everything. But this is a brilliantly written game of chess that has you emotionally invested in all the pieces on the board.

You haven't seen this character arc in a cop show, and you haven't seen this story in a drama before.

(Also, I don't know how you even begin to write a second season after that ending, but my god do I want to see it.)

Good cop gone bad variation. A good cast, especially the lead roles. Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch) is particularly excellent in his role as drug gang leader. Not seen much of Leila Farzad but she does well as the detective Lou Slack who is playing both sides. Also nice to see Anton Lesser (Endeavour) in a different kind of role.

It all starts off a bit on the slow side but picks up in episode 2. This is not a shoot em up cop drama but more of a slow slide into a moral dilemma. The deeper detective Slack slides into the vortex of corrupt cop the tenser it gets.

My only gripe with the programme is that, for me, it should have ended at episode 4.

That, to my mind, would have been a perfect and more realistic, ending.

Episode 5 tried too hard to tie up loose ends and ended up unnecessary and unrealistic.

That said, it was definitely worth a watch.

Ignore the unfair critics who have rubbished this programme.

After her son almost dies Detective Inspector Lou Stack is tired of living in the pocket of drug dealer and villain Col McHugh, she chooses to leave but she is very much made aware that leaving is not an option.

I started watching it live, and didn't stick with it, I found episode one hard to get into, I took the advice of a friend of mine and gave it another go, I'm glad I did.

Episode one is a little hard to get into, it seems to skip any introduction or setting scenes, it instead jumps straight into the action, once it settles it's good, it's very good, episode four is fantastic.

There are a few scenes that are hard to swallow, the moment in the car wash for example, why on Earth did Lou feel it was safe to be seen out in public with such a known villain, if you can look past a few silly moments, you'll find it a rewarding watch.

Leila Farzad and Andrew Buchan are both very strong in their respective roles, I thought Anton Lesser and Zak Ford Williams were the standouts I thought.

I hope The BBC picks up another series of this, more Lou Stack please.

8/10.

The list of VERY GOOD British police crime thriller series that I have seen is really long, unfortunately I will not add this one to that list.

Leila Farzad has the right appearance to portray Lou. She does a good acting job, one moment she is unapproachable and self-confident, but later maybe the viewer also sees the doubt and moral conflict shine through. I didn't saw and felt that at all, for me she is simply a terrible woman, selfish as hell. Let's be honest, come on!, will she continue to be corrupt or make a new beginning after an incident involving a loved one? There's no way you'd dance with the devil if you had a family to protect.

By the way, I loved all the actors.

In general I enjoy the series, but it also left me a little dissatisfied, and I would have loved a more realistic and rougher ending, something more creative and raw, simply what they deserve. Behind the plot I think there is a psychological study, can people change? In this specific case I would say NO.

To finish, I recommend you see it. The dialogues and tension are palpable, I must admit that at times it left me on the edge of the couch. Despite its many flaws.

Whilst I found this so engrossing that I binge watched all episodes (finishing at 5am). I have to say that the ending was amateurish, sentimental and totally unbelievable. I won't provide details of this let down because I was so engrossed until then that I would not wish to spoil it for others. MYOMU. Now.... I've actually said all I have to say but apparently in order to post any review I am supposed to write a minimum of 600 (superfluous?) characters! Why? Is there no merit in brevity and clarity over indulgent pomposity? (Answers appreciated but not required)😊.....OMG!!! I thought I had attained the minimum requirement already....but apparently not. Now trying again. Thank you for your patience in matching my persistence!🤣