Nightsleeper

Probably the most dire thing I've watched in years. The acting is appalling, the cast ( in particular the 2 main characters) are laughable. I've seen better acting in primary school plays. BBC what are you thinking?! I can't believe licence payers money goes towards such rubbish! The concept behind this drama is actually pretty good, however the execution of it (script, cast and direction) has sadly failed to do it justice. As I write this review, I still cannot believe that someone at the BBC actually thought that broadcasting something so poor was acceptable? I would be interested in understanding why in particular the main characters were cast in these roles!

Yes other reviewers are right about the script, the acting. You will find yourself shouting 'Johhhhhhhhh' at random intervals. None of it stands to much scrutiny, cyber command look like they've never seen a computer before, and everyone seems to argue all the time or have long meaningful conversations. But it's all great fun if you just get out the popcorn and suspend belief.

A little bit murder on the Orient Express crossed with Speed if it were an episode of Coronation Street where someone had accidentally put too many zeros on the budget. I liked it wasn't violent unlike many of the recent streaming offerings, no bad language, had several plot twists, and enough budget had been spent on the production that even if the script had a bus replacement service, the train hurtled along convincingly enough.

Lot of reviews slate the show for bad acting and screen play. I agree a little, some characters. And I can't believe the agency and people working there are a bit of a shambles. I can't believe they represent the best of the best protecting our country from hacking!

Nevertheless, it's a fantastic thriller. Great edge of the seat cliffhangers to ensure it's binged watched! Lots of the people are annoying but good to see how they rally around in trouble.

Jo Cole is of course great in it. I did think his character would have been more Hollywood style hero but actually it's more realistic if not.

So we are to believe the train sets off by itself, OK. But al the high tec drama, satellite phones and whatever - but nobody thinks to have the overhead electric cable switched off? I think that would stop it. Like one other reviewer points out the 'sense of urgency and impeding doom' are indeed missing. There are far too many slow scenes e.g. When the train was being evacuated, why didn't the police simply sweep the passengers off the train? People seemingly getting on and off at random. Or when the young boy was stood in the doorway with his mother stood on the platform instead of getting off. Sorry this is simply not credible. However, I will watch it anyways for a few more laughs and howlers.

As long as you know nothing about trains, communication systems, physics or common sense this is quite a ride. A completely impossible and silly ride but a ride, nonetheless. Yes, it is very stupid and the writers and directors have no knowledge of how things work but that's hardly something new. Once you get beyond the complete dumbness of it all and put that to one side it is quite entertaining.

It's a load of enjoyable nonsense presented very well. There's no point criticising it because it has no connection with reality. It exists in a pretend universe and once you accept that just go along with it.