Nell_Aust

This is perfect viewing if you want to relax and be transported to a fantasy life of beach front homes, lovable cake-baking colleagues and baddies that are not that bad. Yes, Marianne (and Dan) are a bit annoying, especially his childishness, but their confusion and to'ing and fro'ing seems plausible in the situation. I finally liked Dan for his words to the daughter of the murder victim at the end of season 2 that he "really understood her". That was touching and so was the entire end of season 2. I cried and then immediately dug out Foreigner on YouTube. What a great song that I'd forgotten. The whole soundtrack is really enjoyable.

Approach with caution if you don't want to feel heavy and depressed. I get that they're trying to illustrate the frailities of parents and teachers and all authority figures but for me the unrelenting cluelessness of these figures is just too much. The one character that acts with integrity is Detective Bascombe's son. And notably, it's when his father gives something of himself that the boy finally responds. It's a depressing picture of adults: that they don't have a clue and despite their stated intentions, they're not really interested in changing that state. Best scene was the scene in the bedroom with the two parents when they finally start to get real, but even that went over the top and became sentimental. Overall, good intentions but too oppressive for me.

It has some good ingredients. Francoise and the Uncle are well-played and the centrality of the women and their dynamism is exciting. However, it never develops into a story. It is a montage of names and impressions. The scenes in the parliament are the least interesting. Where was the fear and tension these huge events must have generated? Yes, there are some shouts from the gallery, and a couple of representatives try to inject some emotion into proceedings but it all feels confected.

I'm curious about the dark powder that Francoise was using to wash (?) her hair with in the closing scenes. Does anyone know about this powder and this practice? Maybe it was equivalent to the dry shampoo used today to absorb oil?