North Shore

North Shore feels like a airport novel, or perhaps the first draft for one where the plot intent of dialogue is written, but has never been fleshed out into anything sounding like real human speech. Moments that could have been lightened with humour are rushed through to get finish underlining whatever cliche the scene was putting up in neon lights.

Every plot point, every response is wooden or telegraphed; antagonisms between UK and Aussie police are set up so flatly and unreasonably that they seem unprofessional and childish.

The English leads deserve better but at least they got a paid working holiday down under.

The star of the show could have been the harbour / ocean location, but it was relegated to a side show. Joanne Froggatt is always a solid watch, but I wonder if her shot at the big time has come and gone. With the exception of the cops, the characters are largely detestable, and if I had a plot control button I would probably design their ends in a ball of flames or bottom of the shark infested harbour, even the victim (again). Anyway, the plot is easy to follow, the outcome reasonably satisfactory. It's instantly forgettable, but in the gap between Christmas and new year, it did a job - sort of.

Ok I'm five episodes in so probably shouldn't be calling it.

There's a bit to like.

The actual whodunnit is mildly intriguing.

The pommy detective is head and shoulders above the rest of the cast.

The Aussie lead detective is just dreadful. Probably not completely the actors fault though. She starts out as every cliche ridden caricature you could imagine and pretty much stays there.

What really annoys me though is the lack of reality in the day to day situations. We are supposed to believe that the leader of the opposition in the middle of an election campaign has 3 hours to spend at the beck and call of some strumpet every night in one city. Then there's meant to be a big trade agreement. FFS have the writers not heard of caretaker mode?

Why be so inaccurate about Australia?? We don't call our detectives DS and DI etc. The country is not full of ignorant, bitchy people and criminals. But the biggest issue was the hormones in our meat. Australian agricultural protection is as strict as anywhere, let alone England. It's possible to make this whole series without all the inaccuracies. It ruins it. Just a little research here and there ...

Likeable main actors and a few complex characters make this an easy to watch drama that otherwise is pretty mediocre.

Although the murder mystery is central to everything, it feels like just a backdrop for exploring three complicated marriages that are falling apart in slightly different ways. The three strongest actors play three of the four main characters in these marriages, and it's exactly them that make the show so watchable.

Other acting is either mediocre or pretty bad, but luckily most have relatives minor roles. Meanwhile, the setting, the mild Aussie accents, and a satisfying (if a bit obvious) ending add just enough more to make it worth a watch.