tommdennehy

ITV dramas aren't normally as good as this. This is a moving, emotional and often harrowing must-watch series. It focusses on the real-life horror suffered by a lonely woman, Delia Balmer, at the hands of a manipulating serial killer, John Sweeney - and her subsequent trauma at the hands of the criminal justice system.

We need to start with the performance of Anna Maxwell Martin is frankly tremendous. Her character is an outsider, someone who's often difficult, but ultimately gentle, fragile and loving soul - and she is portrayed perfectly. Shaun Evans is also good as the evil Sweeney who at first bewitches Delia seeing something in her that no one else has, but then shortly begins to reveal his true, controlling, violent self.

The violence in the series is surprising and shocking but not overplayed and shining a light on the domestic abuse suffered by so many women doesn't seem to be the point of the series. Instead, it is about how the ineffectiveness of the justice system can let down victims and too easily land on the side of the perpetrators.

Other bit part characters are well played and serve to demonstrate Delia's subsequent inability to connect with anyone and successfully move on from her ordeal. There is a reasonable amount of tension in the final scenes as the things draw to a conclusion. Ultimately Delia experiences an ounce of redemption but there is a strong sense that so much of this could have been easily avoided.

The series started really promisingly. It feels like nothing you have seen before. The epic scale is impressive and it's a well made series.

In fact everything about it is epic. It's an epic tale of power, greed, honour, betrayal and revenge.

A struggle emerges to take control of the realm between several power hungry advisors or regents. Toronaga is seen as an outlier and a danger to the established regime and is quickly outlawed. However it's not entirely clear why.

The series makes a good show of what's to come with some immediate quite shocking drama which is a window into how life is during this time.

Despite a strong start though the pace is slow and it's difficult to empathise with any of the characters. Even the great Toronaga is cold and mean at times.

As the series grew,the number of things that are an annoyance did too: 1 the utter pomposity of the anjin or barbarian 2 the lack of continuity throughout 3 cliched characterisation 4 the complete lack of emotion and constant desire to accept death

On the final point, I understand part of the point is to educate about historic Japanese culture but it does become wearing.

In summary this is good but not that good.

This is a tough uncomfortable watch. There is something about the way this show was advertised and positioned that suggested comedy. There is nothing funny about this show. It's weird, uncomfortable, and frankly quite dull.

I can't think of a reason for making this show other than therapy for the lead actor.

All the characters in it are annoying, the constant voiceover is mindless and boring. Frustrations are abound by the main character's crap decisions about pretty much everything.

The story lurches from one chapter to another without any continuity in an effort to piece together why baby reindeer is like he is.

I selected a 4 out of ten before writing this short review but thinking about it even more, it's worse than that.