127 reviews
I actually enjoyed this series very much! Watched it in two days run and was very entertained the whole way through. The characters are well rounded, the atmosphere is spooky and (I think) believable. They actors were splendid and I think the plot - and the twists, were all very well written. Also a great cinematography. Yes, maybe some of the things or decisions seem 'out there' (have you ever watched a classic horror), but come on, this is a show - reality may not be THAT entertaining nor dramatic, but this is not reality. I came to see a thrilling, exciting series and I got exactly that. And I would gladly watch season 2. Pleased.
- julesgottlieb
- Oct 18, 2017
- Permalink
- MsCateArcher
- Oct 4, 2017
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I was excited for this show. It started out excellent. However, it bogged down in the middle, then just ended. The ending did not live up to the hype, or the opening of the series.
This was a good series, until they decided to stretch it into two seasons. Watch the first season - everything is there to resolve the mystery but don't bother with the second. It destroys the character arch and has a disappointing resolution to the needless 2nd season. I give the first season a 7 (good) our if 10. {Who done it?}
- nancyldraper
- Oct 24, 2020
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- gsandra-26876
- Aug 21, 2020
- Permalink
Psychological thriller
Binge worthy
Peels back all the nasty layers before a series of twists and backflips. I really liked this storyline. Definitely worth watching.
- marie-claire-668-821386
- Sep 1, 2020
- Permalink
I am stunned to see so many negative reviews, when you look at viewing figures for this show the opinion of the General Public clearly did not share such a negative view, the show ended with more viewers then it started with.
Rape must be one of the most henous crimes of all, particularly in light of the many stories worldwide. A victim asking the question why me, and why should the perpetrator be allowed to get away with it.
Ioan Gruffudd and joanne froggatt are sensational throughout, such is the quality of the acting, and the writing that your sympathies switch from one character to another's, as does your anger.
I think it got better as it went on, the Fifth part had me on the edge of my seat, the concluding episode also so well done, leaving us all desperate for Series Two.
Bravo 9/10
Rape must be one of the most henous crimes of all, particularly in light of the many stories worldwide. A victim asking the question why me, and why should the perpetrator be allowed to get away with it.
Ioan Gruffudd and joanne froggatt are sensational throughout, such is the quality of the acting, and the writing that your sympathies switch from one character to another's, as does your anger.
I think it got better as it went on, the Fifth part had me on the edge of my seat, the concluding episode also so well done, leaving us all desperate for Series Two.
Bravo 9/10
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Dec 16, 2017
- Permalink
I've only watched season one so far, and I enjoyed it. It was a tiny bit far-fetched at times but nowhere near as much as most American TV shows that I watch. The Brits just seem to do it so much better. It kept guessing at the beginning and then at the end you kept wondering what could happen next. I've binged it over two days.
- gallagherkellie
- Aug 6, 2021
- Permalink
It is funny that large majority of the reviews here were written after the first episode.
This is a TV show that after the second episode takes so many turns that your head spins. It really has to be binged in order to be fully appreciated. Only after knowing what happened later you can truly understand what happened in the first two episodes and why people behaved like they did.
The ending was shocking to me, I did not see it coming and I wonder what really happened.
For those who say that men were portrayed like the villains - Laura eventually goes on a date with some other guy who seems normal and likable. The supporting cast is definitely not "the stock" kind. Every actor took what was given to him and gave his best.
If this show is really planned for another season I am really looking forward to it.
This is a TV show that after the second episode takes so many turns that your head spins. It really has to be binged in order to be fully appreciated. Only after knowing what happened later you can truly understand what happened in the first two episodes and why people behaved like they did.
The ending was shocking to me, I did not see it coming and I wonder what really happened.
For those who say that men were portrayed like the villains - Laura eventually goes on a date with some other guy who seems normal and likable. The supporting cast is definitely not "the stock" kind. Every actor took what was given to him and gave his best.
If this show is really planned for another season I am really looking forward to it.
- thiagosblancos
- Oct 15, 2017
- Permalink
An extremely well thought out and played series! A police and psychological series, full of action from the first to the last moment. Both series were very exciting and made us ask questions until the last moment. The first series was about the question: who is lying, the teacher who says she was raped or the surgeon who looks and behaves extremely respectfully. In the second series I really wondered what else could happen because the first series had ended extremely eloquently and everything was without any doubt. Well, in the second series, the question was: who killed the surgeon? You will find out only in the last episode of the last series ... pleasant viewing!
- yasin-99896
- Nov 21, 2020
- Permalink
Based on watching S1 & S2:
Some good acting to be had, especially Joanne Froggatt.
The back & forth in timelines is a cop-out
for a screenplay writer these days
(no, it doesn't make the story better).
However, I did enjoy the general storyline at times.
You'll love it more if you lap up the following:
-Hardly a sympathetic character to be found.
-A detective chewing nicotine gum non-stop.
-Most females portrayed as smart, -men horrible & stupid.
-Partners of the same sex having babies.
-Generally everything screaming #MeToo .
- bjoernhund
- May 25, 2020
- Permalink
Had high hopes for this drama, but it was dragged out too long. It would have been more intense and edgy if it had been edited to about 3 episodes. Lost credibility when Laura takes on the investigative role and tries to solve her own case.
I enjoyed this and the "first seasons" ending was a good way to end the series. I dont know if I will watch season 2 as for me "its over"
Many good twists & turns a couple of completely implausible plot lines that thankfully didn't spoil it too much as they were over quickly and not referred to again - why they were written in at all who knows.
Yep! Its a fine show with many famous faces. Not seen "Mr Hornblower" since he was "Mr Hornblower" (the surgeon) - but he is alive and well!
Very good. I dont think I need to bother with season 2. Its over and i dont enjoy things being stretched out for no good reason.
Many good twists & turns a couple of completely implausible plot lines that thankfully didn't spoil it too much as they were over quickly and not referred to again - why they were written in at all who knows.
Yep! Its a fine show with many famous faces. Not seen "Mr Hornblower" since he was "Mr Hornblower" (the surgeon) - but he is alive and well!
Very good. I dont think I need to bother with season 2. Its over and i dont enjoy things being stretched out for no good reason.
- robdrummond
- Apr 27, 2022
- Permalink
As a fan of British crime dramas, and who watches many, I thought Liar was very good. It kept us guessing who was telling the truth and who was lying.
- lawnmorgan
- May 29, 2020
- Permalink
It's not the kind of show you 'just can't wait to see the next episode'. But, it is the kind of show that you'll watch when you have time.
Joanne Froggatt is excellent at playing a mentally disturbed person. But, she deserves a better script (better writers).
Joanne Froggatt is excellent at playing a mentally disturbed person. But, she deserves a better script (better writers).
- pabloikba-02800
- Sep 28, 2017
- Permalink
Season one...superb.
Season two...not as good.. trying to be too clever. Great acting.
I know I gave it a 6 since I'm in 6 episodes but I think I'm done w/this. I cannot stand the lead victim..oops, I mean actress. She annoys me so much that I don't even want her to succeed in getting him put away..IF he did do what she thinks.
She..don't care to learn actresses name, goes on and on as does the same dialogue over and over.
Yes, I'm done.
She..don't care to learn actresses name, goes on and on as does the same dialogue over and over.
Yes, I'm done.
Another win in her column! Loved her in Downton and she was super in Liar! The series moved quickly and kept the viewer interested. Another great whodunnit series.
This story got lost and maybe if they had better writers it could have been a lot better .the acting was great and none of them can be faulted but as great as the acting was there's not a lot they can do when the script is bad!
Enjoy the acting try and forget the story and you will make it through
Enjoy the acting try and forget the story and you will make it through
I watched the first episode of this and some of the second, thought it wasn't worth wasting more of my time.
Then I saw they made a second series. How did they spin it out to even the first six episodes let alone make a second series?
So, intrigued, I watched it 'again'. All 12 episodes over a three night mini binge watch.
I fully understand the bad reviews. I'd have said much the same when I abandoned watching it after one and a bit episodes. However, it has proved to be a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. You get lots of flashbacks giving little bits and pieces of what happened but you only really get the full picture at the end.
Some might find the constant flashbacks in season 2 hard work. I kept having to rewind as I'd missed something. It will need concentration or you might miss some of the plot.
See if you can spot Doctor Who, Jo Martin, in a brief appearance!
Then I saw they made a second series. How did they spin it out to even the first six episodes let alone make a second series?
So, intrigued, I watched it 'again'. All 12 episodes over a three night mini binge watch.
I fully understand the bad reviews. I'd have said much the same when I abandoned watching it after one and a bit episodes. However, it has proved to be a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. You get lots of flashbacks giving little bits and pieces of what happened but you only really get the full picture at the end.
Some might find the constant flashbacks in season 2 hard work. I kept having to rewind as I'd missed something. It will need concentration or you might miss some of the plot.
See if you can spot Doctor Who, Jo Martin, in a brief appearance!
- ynysygwas-625-623284
- Apr 17, 2020
- Permalink
Agree with other reviewers, the second season dragged on and on. Amazing that there was never anyone else around the boat yard! As usual, I find the back and forth in timelines to end up being more confusing than necessary. The premise of the story was very good however, just a tad too long.
Such a great potential! First episode set up intriguing enigmas. Yet episode after episode I was hit with one disastrous writing train crash after the other.
Acting is great! Alas what can one actor with such disappointing material?!
I read quite a few reviews on here. I do not have a problem with representational set ups that go against the heteronormativity; see beta male stay-at-home dad; queer police officer.
Sadly, this drama reinforces itv's negative expectations aka populist drama that deliberately avoids engaging the audience in any cerebral shape or form. Cliché after cliché whose only function is to make the audience respond on the moral panic plat du jour.
This gets just 5 stars thanks to acting, filming, visual mood and feel that has been carefully constructed.
The other 5 starts have been lost in deplorable writing; see archetypal villain with cringe-worthy lines; police officers being represented as dumb sidekicks; main hero "taking matters into their own hands" in the most surreal, improbable and unrealistic way; side plot devices, characters with even more cliché lines; single parent father - son relationship infested with poor dialogue; supporting characters whose function is only to help the hero deliberate some kind of common sense before all that is thrown into the wind in a New York minute. .. the list is endless.
The subject mater is of very high interest, yet I fear that many itv viewers will simply bite on the moral panic bandwagon. Such a shame, especially considering how much input the writers have had from a range of relevant support groups.
... and then series 2 came along... WT! (I really would have liked to be a fly on the wall in the room where the series 2 commissioning meeting took place). Baffled...
Acting is great! Alas what can one actor with such disappointing material?!
I read quite a few reviews on here. I do not have a problem with representational set ups that go against the heteronormativity; see beta male stay-at-home dad; queer police officer.
Sadly, this drama reinforces itv's negative expectations aka populist drama that deliberately avoids engaging the audience in any cerebral shape or form. Cliché after cliché whose only function is to make the audience respond on the moral panic plat du jour.
This gets just 5 stars thanks to acting, filming, visual mood and feel that has been carefully constructed.
The other 5 starts have been lost in deplorable writing; see archetypal villain with cringe-worthy lines; police officers being represented as dumb sidekicks; main hero "taking matters into their own hands" in the most surreal, improbable and unrealistic way; side plot devices, characters with even more cliché lines; single parent father - son relationship infested with poor dialogue; supporting characters whose function is only to help the hero deliberate some kind of common sense before all that is thrown into the wind in a New York minute. .. the list is endless.
The subject mater is of very high interest, yet I fear that many itv viewers will simply bite on the moral panic bandwagon. Such a shame, especially considering how much input the writers have had from a range of relevant support groups.
... and then series 2 came along... WT! (I really would have liked to be a fly on the wall in the room where the series 2 commissioning meeting took place). Baffled...
- sleeplessinyorks
- Apr 7, 2020
- Permalink
I liked the first season.. Started of good. First it was about who is telling the truth (very intriguing) and then more about psychopaths.
The second season was a bit blaah. But I did manage to watch it. Left me wondering was the end a right decision though. (is the one left accused of murder going to get locked up for it? ). So I didnt like the ending.
The second season was a bit blaah. But I did manage to watch it. Left me wondering was the end a right decision though. (is the one left accused of murder going to get locked up for it? ). So I didnt like the ending.
- sarppa-89045
- Mar 2, 2021
- Permalink