pennyjune

I am giving this one a seven based on entertainment value alone. I don't know why it wasn't released in theaters (as far as I know), because it would have done well with holiday movie-goers. I'm always looking for a basic crowd pleaser this time of year to go to with my adult child and friends.

First off, a few silly elements, due to a dumb (and typical) American script. People in line at TSA don't suddenly shout the same thing in unison like they are at choir practice. Was that supposed to be funny? Don't insult our intelligence. Also, TSA doesn't let you get away with berating them and resisting procedures to the degree the passengers do here. Again, stupid script and exaggerated overacting by peripheral players. I'd blame the direction.

The plot holes, as other reviewers mentioned, are so numerous it begs belief. Every time the lead character goes in the bathroom, nobody else is in there. When does that happen in an airport over the holidays? Maybe it was an employee bathroom, but then how did the bad guy get in there, since it would be behind lock and key? This happened more than once! Oh, there's more, which are obvious, but let's not be too picky.

Okay, the fun part: Everything else! There is a short (thankfully) car chase that is rather unique. Taron Egerton is great in this role, and you can feel the tension as he does. Jason Bateman is a delight as the bad guy. The last half is quite a ride with one very intense moment after another. I had fun trying to figure out just how Taron's character could outwit Jason's evil one. Recommended for a fun experience if you can suspend belief at some of the situations.

DCI Ellis is cold as steel and doles out her sympathies very sparingly. Her partner Harper, although fumbling at times, is no baffoon like we see many times in detective shows. I like Ellis and her quiet, no-nonsense demeanor, as she solves cases wearing her long dark coat, dreadlocks and almost complete lack of facial expression. Occasionally, she'll give a mean side-eye to injustice, or a knowing glance to her partner, and it feels like we've been let in on something.

These are the detectives I love to watch on British shows. Intelligent characters with depth and a past that may or may not be revealed, like DCI Ray, Van der Valk, and older ones like George Gently and Morse. Aside from Grantchester, "cozy" mysteries hold no interest for me. I am three episodes in, and I'm sure Ellis will be one at the top of my list.

I'm just a little confused about the constant phone cords, although those will probably be explained in time, unless I missed something. I also wonder how and why this duo of detectives are sent throughout the country assisting other police departments. Perhaps that is how it is done in England. And who is the gray-haired woman we see briefly on Ellis's phone or tablet screen giving orders to them? There is a slight James Bond feel there. It's all very intriguing to me. Can't wait for more episodes.

Thought I'd give it a try to see the beauty of a small island in Greece, and based on the good ratings, why not? I am a sucker for romance, although I hate most silly romcoms, and I'm glad to say this is definitely not that. There are two storylines in this series that felt heartbreakingly real. Honestly, once I got into the touching and seemingly impossible relationship between Klelia and Orestis with their considerable age difference, not much else in the series mattered to me, and I cried for them. Then we have the on-again, off-again, push-pull relationship between Klelia's brother Antonis and Spyros, his life-long friend and would-be lover. These storylines truly made my heart ache. They are done with sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

I loved all the actors and the beautiful writing and direction, for the most part. But maybe I'm gushing too much. The whole series is built around a music festival taking place on the island, and we get to know the characters in the events running up to the festival. Antonis, played by Orestis Chalkias, is really the only good musician, however. He bowled me over with his voice. Klelias' simple piano playing was rather clunky, sorry to say, and the grandmother's singing was also not as good as it was purported to be, but no matter. We have the corrupt father of Klelia and Antonis, along with the abusive father of Spyros, and other colorful characters to keep the series rich and rewarding.

Being that I basically lived in this series for two very long seasons, I was shocked (but not really surprised) at the end of Season 2. It would have been a crime for it to just end there, so I was thrilled to find out Season 3 is coming!!