Surprising to see some of the reviews saying there's lots of filler in this series, for anyone who's ever watched a series of "You" would realise exactly what filler looks like, and this isn't it. I am one of the first to complain about unnecessary padding and do so often when it's excessive. There's some repetition in this series, flashbacks and time-jumps as a story mechanism but it does move along well enough.
What's good about Wilderness is the writing and two great lead actors. The writing manages to avoid many of the stereotypes we've come to expect from the characters in these kind of marital murder thrillers. In that respect they don't default to the stereotype of the female victim who loses her mind with nerves nor the overly boorish, entitled husband. Sure, he is entitled and privileged but they deftly weave in some aspects which show why she is so in love with him and why she found him attractive in the first place. This is cleverly contrasted with his customary excuses for cheating: "it was a mistake, a one-off", and then his promises to change, him playing the victim of his own avarice and terpitude. And anyone who's been there will know those hollow words but will also know why she doubts herself and her plans for revenge as she's pulled between hurt, hate and reminders of how nice he can be. There are clear aspects of coercion here and overall it is well thought out and written.
Some plot holes exist and perhaps that explains some of the frustration, the police being a bit too trusting or not convincing in their role, as well as her reaction to her husband's other women, let's just say that there's an excess of female solidarity and not a cat-fight in sight. This simply isn't realistic and we all know how most women react to another woman taking their man. So it's slightly on the virtuous side in that respect and rings hollow there.
I found the role of her Welsh mum to be well written and played, those familial ties and resentments another thread that was intelligently woven into the evident drivers of the daughter's character and demeanor.
Overall, it was well written and acted and stands up very well against comparable series. I would say it's a decent 7/10 and don't quite understand some of the negativity or what drives it. If you make up your own mind, it won't be the worst offering available on streaming, not by a long shot and if you're looking for series that showcase what fillers and padding in a series look like, just read through my other reviews.
What's good about Wilderness is the writing and two great lead actors. The writing manages to avoid many of the stereotypes we've come to expect from the characters in these kind of marital murder thrillers. In that respect they don't default to the stereotype of the female victim who loses her mind with nerves nor the overly boorish, entitled husband. Sure, he is entitled and privileged but they deftly weave in some aspects which show why she is so in love with him and why she found him attractive in the first place. This is cleverly contrasted with his customary excuses for cheating: "it was a mistake, a one-off", and then his promises to change, him playing the victim of his own avarice and terpitude. And anyone who's been there will know those hollow words but will also know why she doubts herself and her plans for revenge as she's pulled between hurt, hate and reminders of how nice he can be. There are clear aspects of coercion here and overall it is well thought out and written.
Some plot holes exist and perhaps that explains some of the frustration, the police being a bit too trusting or not convincing in their role, as well as her reaction to her husband's other women, let's just say that there's an excess of female solidarity and not a cat-fight in sight. This simply isn't realistic and we all know how most women react to another woman taking their man. So it's slightly on the virtuous side in that respect and rings hollow there.
I found the role of her Welsh mum to be well written and played, those familial ties and resentments another thread that was intelligently woven into the evident drivers of the daughter's character and demeanor.
Overall, it was well written and acted and stands up very well against comparable series. I would say it's a decent 7/10 and don't quite understand some of the negativity or what drives it. If you make up your own mind, it won't be the worst offering available on streaming, not by a long shot and if you're looking for series that showcase what fillers and padding in a series look like, just read through my other reviews.