Jack Taylor

Really enjoying this series. Yes, it is somewhat cliche as some reviewers have pointed out, but it is highly engaging with unique storylines apart from the fact most of them seem to involve suicides that aren't suicides in some way or other.

Only up to episode 6, and thought I'd see what others thought, and was surprised by how little attention this series has received considering it is highly watchable (apart from the cringy lines that today's shows wouldn't get away with PC wise)

As far as police dramas go, this one sets itself apart in many ways, but primarily in how damaged the main character is. Ian does a terrific job as Jack, but he makes it very difficult to root for at times; which is ok once or twice in a show like this, but not as often as here IMHO.

The writing was overall quite good and gritty, however the chemistry between the characters took a nose-dive when Noonan was replaced by another actress. Not sure why the change occurred, and they all did as well as they could with what they were given, but between the lack of internal development with Jack and the unfortunate casting change without adjusting the role as to create a better segue, it's not too surprising how short lived the show ended up being.

Having said that, the characters were interesting, for the most part, and the plots were unique-enough to carry each episode on its own. The entire show could be comfortably watched over a weekend.

I can't understand why they changed the format so drasticly. It was too slick, appeared more low priced. The plot was flat as was the acting. the photography missed the gritty grounding of the first 6.

I really liked the first episode of this series. Makes me want to watch more. Taylor is tormented. He has a good heart, we feel he is a good person, yet he has demons. Alcoholism runs in his family. We try to keep it in the family, he sarcastically says. His mother is not nice at all, and he asks the question why does your closest ones always know how to find your weaknesses,, where to look for faults. Maybe because they put them there, is his answer. Jack cares for the outcasts, the betrodden, maybe because he sees himself in them. Episode one starts with Jack being fired from the force when he is drunk on patrol and stops a car driving a cabinet minister and proceeds to punch the cabinet minister in the face. It's all over the local news. Then a beautiful woman approaches him and asks him to find her missing daughter. This amazing woman he admits is out of his league, but she awakes something in him, a drive. I won't spoil your viewing only to say I enjoyed this first episode.

I enjoyed the series but less so as it went on. Familiarity breeds contempt and all that. The big question is why did Jack turn into some sort of pirate voice during the course of it. There's good supporting cast to back Iain Glen up and the show has the story arc punctuated with the discredited policeman issues to keep you interested, however it just ultimately feels a bit too contrived and a bit too repetitive. Ultimately I lost empathy with his functioning alcoholic character at the half way point. But for a late night binge it isn't so bad