I am appalled and saddened to see reviews that make me question if we were all watching the same show. Firstly, this is my first (and most likely only) review for any show or movie, and that's saying a lot because I never go out of my way for anything entertainment or media related ever, but seeing so many unjustified bad reviews for this show made me feel more strongly, I guess.
To start, I actually watched the show for Lydia Leonard who I got obsessed with from another show, Gentleman Jack (definitely a must watch). However, after watching just the first episode, I couldn't stop myself. I became intrigued, addicted...compared to the many spy shows (mostly American) I've watched, this show topped them all. I don't want to bother listing the shows' names (that isn't the point), but my point is these other shows weren't even a quarter as good, but got several seasons so why shouldn't this excellent show get another?
Despite what other reviews say, the acting from the cast was brilliant (except for the actor who plays Katrine who I was irritated by and who shouldn't have been picked to play lead alongside an exceptional actor like Lydia Leonard). The flawed nature of the characters made me stay because it was realistic. They never once portrayed Beatrice like some super smart know-it-all who magically has all the answers and is always a hundred steps ahead of everyone. No, she was smart, but she was human and trying to figure stuff out just like anyone in her position would. She took calculated risks just like anyone in her position may have to take, and yes, some of those risks didn't work out as planned (as you would expect in the real world) which ensured that I was continuously on the edge of my seat because unlike the many other spy shows, I knew our protagonist might get it wrong so I was far from relaxed and rather in there with her, waiting for the consequences to unfold and being shocked by the unexpected twists and turns along the way. Actually, the twists and turns should get their own applause because this is certainly a show that keeps you wondering just as the main characters are also wondering. Though do not fear; it's not a mind-boggling, cryptic kind of wondering that I know some don't like; things get revealed but the relevation is unexpected. Personally though, now that I have watched the full season (which I absolutely binged on and dreamt about since last night), I will likely rewatch the season just to appreciate this masterpiece now knowing who is on what side and so on, and appreciating how clever they were at hiding it, etc.
And I know there are a few who wanted the main issue dumbed down to one definite chain of events, but I found that one of the highlights actually because it was a realistic kind of investigation with events that the characters weren't sure were related and thus, wondering, "is this it?" and pursuing that issue in the hope that it leads somewhere or addresses the main issue. I'm being vague to avoid spoilers, but the point is that it showed the uncertainty, messiness and unpleasantness of an investigation as it would be in the real world rather than the idealised popular (Hollywood) portrayal of someone looking at a bunch of pictures hung up on the wall and immediately predicting the whole play and connection and having it go their way every single time such that we're never afraid for their safety or that something might go wrong because they are always guaranteed to win every freaking time (sorry for the rant; I'm just tired of these other uninspiring shows that somehow got greater publicity and bigger platforms than this one).
I loved the crazy passive-aggressive dynamic between the Olgivies. That was some twisted/complicated relationship I never knew I needed to make the plot even more compelling. I've already spoken highly of Lydia so I'll just add that the actor who plays William is formidable in that role and both him and Lydia play off very well against each other. I also appreciated the Levi character playing off them via some of his decisions and the writers allowing us to understand the reasons for his decisions which viewers not from the same demographic as Levi and not faced with the same issues and considerations might not have understood otherwise.
And least I forget, I loved the Etta character who was one of the most, if not the most compelling wife of a man of power that I've ever seen portrayed on TV. It was always a pleasure to watch whenever she had some screen time, and I wish she had more.
All in all, this show tops any and all spy shows (and most shows) that I would recommend to friends, family and anyone who cares to listen. I won't be forgetting it anytime soon. I do wish it had more publicity though because I couldn't even find episode reviews or recaps for it online, on YouTube, or anywhere and I so badly wanted a community or some blog to talk about it so I fear that the only thing that might stop the show from continuing is a lack of publicity (considering the largely unknown service it streamed on) which is such a terrible and devastating reason to not continue such an excellent show. It desperately needs a season 2 and that's why I have decided to come out of my comfort zone and support it publicly so that many more people hopefully stumble on this review, watch it and also support it. Give this show a season 2 already.
To start, I actually watched the show for Lydia Leonard who I got obsessed with from another show, Gentleman Jack (definitely a must watch). However, after watching just the first episode, I couldn't stop myself. I became intrigued, addicted...compared to the many spy shows (mostly American) I've watched, this show topped them all. I don't want to bother listing the shows' names (that isn't the point), but my point is these other shows weren't even a quarter as good, but got several seasons so why shouldn't this excellent show get another?
Despite what other reviews say, the acting from the cast was brilliant (except for the actor who plays Katrine who I was irritated by and who shouldn't have been picked to play lead alongside an exceptional actor like Lydia Leonard). The flawed nature of the characters made me stay because it was realistic. They never once portrayed Beatrice like some super smart know-it-all who magically has all the answers and is always a hundred steps ahead of everyone. No, she was smart, but she was human and trying to figure stuff out just like anyone in her position would. She took calculated risks just like anyone in her position may have to take, and yes, some of those risks didn't work out as planned (as you would expect in the real world) which ensured that I was continuously on the edge of my seat because unlike the many other spy shows, I knew our protagonist might get it wrong so I was far from relaxed and rather in there with her, waiting for the consequences to unfold and being shocked by the unexpected twists and turns along the way. Actually, the twists and turns should get their own applause because this is certainly a show that keeps you wondering just as the main characters are also wondering. Though do not fear; it's not a mind-boggling, cryptic kind of wondering that I know some don't like; things get revealed but the relevation is unexpected. Personally though, now that I have watched the full season (which I absolutely binged on and dreamt about since last night), I will likely rewatch the season just to appreciate this masterpiece now knowing who is on what side and so on, and appreciating how clever they were at hiding it, etc.
And I know there are a few who wanted the main issue dumbed down to one definite chain of events, but I found that one of the highlights actually because it was a realistic kind of investigation with events that the characters weren't sure were related and thus, wondering, "is this it?" and pursuing that issue in the hope that it leads somewhere or addresses the main issue. I'm being vague to avoid spoilers, but the point is that it showed the uncertainty, messiness and unpleasantness of an investigation as it would be in the real world rather than the idealised popular (Hollywood) portrayal of someone looking at a bunch of pictures hung up on the wall and immediately predicting the whole play and connection and having it go their way every single time such that we're never afraid for their safety or that something might go wrong because they are always guaranteed to win every freaking time (sorry for the rant; I'm just tired of these other uninspiring shows that somehow got greater publicity and bigger platforms than this one).
I loved the crazy passive-aggressive dynamic between the Olgivies. That was some twisted/complicated relationship I never knew I needed to make the plot even more compelling. I've already spoken highly of Lydia so I'll just add that the actor who plays William is formidable in that role and both him and Lydia play off very well against each other. I also appreciated the Levi character playing off them via some of his decisions and the writers allowing us to understand the reasons for his decisions which viewers not from the same demographic as Levi and not faced with the same issues and considerations might not have understood otherwise.
And least I forget, I loved the Etta character who was one of the most, if not the most compelling wife of a man of power that I've ever seen portrayed on TV. It was always a pleasure to watch whenever she had some screen time, and I wish she had more.
All in all, this show tops any and all spy shows (and most shows) that I would recommend to friends, family and anyone who cares to listen. I won't be forgetting it anytime soon. I do wish it had more publicity though because I couldn't even find episode reviews or recaps for it online, on YouTube, or anywhere and I so badly wanted a community or some blog to talk about it so I fear that the only thing that might stop the show from continuing is a lack of publicity (considering the largely unknown service it streamed on) which is such a terrible and devastating reason to not continue such an excellent show. It desperately needs a season 2 and that's why I have decided to come out of my comfort zone and support it publicly so that many more people hopefully stumble on this review, watch it and also support it. Give this show a season 2 already.