Nightsleeper

I have read a lot of negative comments about this series, and I have to disagree! This is a fast-paced thriller that you don't have to think about. It has cliched characters and lines, and it's all the better for them.

All you have to do is sit in front of a screen and be entertained without having to think too hard about the plot or characters. It is one of those TV programmes that reminds me of disaster movies from the 70s/80s, such as The Towering Inferno or Earthquake. Admittedly, it is not as good, but you see my train of thought.

This is not a serious attempt to deliver a message; you don't need a PhD to understand it! It is simply an entertaining piece of TV.

As one reviewer said:

I struggled to decide on a score as there was a lot wrong with this, but it was so compelling. Comparable to a great page-turning holiday read. It's not Dickens, but sometimes we all need a bit of light escapist stuff.

I agree.

Firstly, the problem with critics is they seem to confuse their love of TV & film with actual knowledge of subject matter. Let's get this clear, they are NOT train engineers and do not understand the workings of the Rail Network - I daresay British Rail barely understand their own network. This leads me to my next point. Some jump to quick conclusions based on their limited knowledge. I am not going to make claims about any actual knowledge...I have none when it concerns rail travel.

With this in mind it is best to just watch Nightsleeper for the action and enjoy it. Is it a little contrived? Yes. Is the acting brilliant from all the characters? No. But it wasn't in Die Hard or Under Seige. This is just an action series piece of escapism that is fun to watch as well as annoying at times. The writers have included too many twists and mechanisms and it most certainly isn't realistic to life (none of our trains are this reliable with a driver let alone without one) but it is ultimately good predictable fun. Did anyone expect John McClane to die in Die Hard? No. It is just fun. This series is in that ilk, the accidental hero in the wrong place at the wrong time racing to right wrongs because that's the type of character the hero is.

My main criticism would be that the writers put too many situations together thinking they were giving characters depth but they definitely fail with this...it is a particularly unnecessary bit of overkill thrown in to keep the red herrings fed for each episode. That said, dismiss all requirements for TV to marry with actual reality and you might find yourself enjoying this short series.

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.

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.

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.