brenden33

Jake Gyllenhaal as the lead actor and producer radiates his influence throughout this series. You may not like his character, you may not like having to wait for the answers to the questions slowly added to this thriller stew. But even as some stew over some unlikable actions and grit at the lead character they are not leaving.

Every episode finishes with a hook to keep you watching. A simple spice but effective.

The interest in this series is the story. The questions it raises and like a real crime murder who done it?

If you like to find a good book and settle down to read 500 pages of a "who done it" story this is the series for you. If however you are just after a 5 minute mush served up in a bowl, avoid.

I have read all of Harlan Coben's books and believe he is a great writer. He packages his writing such that every chapter makes you want to read the next chapter. He makes his books a binge feast.

To adapt this writing style needs intelligence and understanding. Both are lacking in this series.

B class movies rely on stupidly to reach dramatic scenes. Someone does something unexpected or stupid and we have the "whats going to happen next?" question. That is not how Harlan writes.

The 3 lead male roles, the detective, the brother in-law and an ex army friend are portrayed as the 3 stooges. As a lead detective his lack of ability to string 3 words together is amazing. As a law enforcer he continues driving after he has blackouts. All the males have baby complexes and need to be cuddled by the strong females in the show. What planet does the screen writer/director think they live on? Do they really think if they portray all women as strong it will happen in real life? It won't because its all in our DNA. Write real or do not write stupid.

There are many holes in this series. A 3 year old daughter who is left with whoever all over the countryside. A detective assistant who is a giggling light relief gay. The only one who has some brains. The leading role who confronts any potential danger without any thought of getting killed. No backup required for her.

Joanna Lumley does a splendid job of her role.

As others have stated this is not an action packed movie. It is based on emotional connections. Between the lead actors love for each other and taking the audience along with them. This is where the film fails. The husband looks too young and unattractive to have a connection with Judy Greer. She looks too old likewise so the emotion needed between them is strained. It is a casting fail. So watchers know they are just looking at actors. The magic of the story is lost! Whats the point? If its just woke agenda its a shame, life goes on and not like this movie we can not get back the hours we have lost.