mccann3010

If I hadn't recently read both books I think this would have been even more confusing. This series takes liberal adaptations in order to shoehorn both stories concurrently into one series. There is a nice symmetry between the storylines, of abandoned children and the aftermath. And loss.

I'm a big fan of Tana French, especially "The Likeness" so I'll focus on that story line; I enjoyed seeing how others envision the characters, and above all, that manor house of Whitethorn. The novel lets you worm your way into Lexie's head and it's seductive. However, film gives us those atmospheric images of Ireland: lush green, dark and sinister woods, and that manor house. The dialog, the Irish slang and accents are terrifiic; fast, sharp, and wickedly smart.

Read the books, especially "The Likeness."

The series lovingly (and seemingly realistically) portrays the Whitechapel area of London after Jack the Ripper and through to the turn of the century. You can almost smell the stench and filth emanating from the rank streets and the characters who inhabit them. The degradation of daily life and perilous conditions of this world is appalling--yet the characters find a way to survive for the most part. Mix up CSI, Sherlock Holmes, a touch of Dickens and stir. The photography, especially some of the scenes of the port and ships, remind me a Turner painting. Violent and stomach churning at times, so be aware.

Engaging and at times thought provoking amid all the gunfire. I loved the look and feel of the series, the trashy culture and over the top lifestyles. I appreciated the artful use of swearing and the intro montage - a clever trail of cocaine powder on a map outlining the path of cocaine through Mexico. The music is inspired--including the insipid pop songs that accompanies some of the mayhem. You gotta love the track suits that some of the drug lords sport. The acting is top-notch and the grainy footage reminds us the story is vaguely based on real events.