The Dry

Isn't it wonderful when you watch something and you don't have high expectations and then episode by episode it develops into something that raises all sorts of emotions. I loved this drama. I didn't laugh once, smirked a bit, but didn't laugh, so the comedy level wasn't up there for me. But, I loved it all the same. Great script and wonderful wholly believable performances from a great cast. This is a superb piece of filmmaking. I hope it gets the viewing and adulation it deserves.

Gee - how many required characters! Watch it, you might find it surprises you too. It left me feeling thoughtful and sad and I love it when a show can do that.

It was entertaining enough; the humor is dark which I always appreciate. There are the usual cliches, old love interest, family drama et. Al. But kept me watching and each character was interesting. However, the music was excruciating and pandering, a failed attempt at poignancy as it were; I had to fast forward through that, it distracted from the show and some of those 'music' scenes went on way too long.

Has everything you want. Great acting, genuine laugh out loud moments and powerful messages. I think her sponsor steals the show but it has many memorable scenes. From the start in the airport where she tries to help a man drinking Guinness in the morning to the diatribe at the finale it was packed with superb writing. There was a lot in it - alcoholic, gay brother, cheating sister & father, cheating herself. In fact all the characters were carrying some weight on their shoulders but it was all tastefully and humorously dealt with.

Hope season 2 is in the pipeline as RTE could do with investing in this as opposed to some of the drivel they currently call light entertainment.

... but the first thing I did was laugh.

I think to enjoy this series you have to have enjoyed Shameless. Some describe this family as clichéd but that falls short. Dysfunctional doesn't cover it either.

The main character returns home and to her completely over the top family members in an attempt to maintain her fragile, six-month sobriety. She couldn't have made a worse choice.

The eight-part series details everyone else's shortcomings as well as her own, making you want to reach for a drink yourself. But it is very well done, humorous, gritty and for someone who finds the theme close to the heart, very difficult to watch in parts.

It is the woman's sponsor who is the lone voice of sanity and some hard truths. The series is very well done, very well written and very well acted.

Some would like to see additional seasons but I think what had to be said and done was accomplished in these eight, half-hour episodes.

The fact that this show isn't well known blows my mind - it's genuinely the best show I've seen so far this year. The whole cast is incredible - especially Roisin Gallagher who shifts from comedy to tragedy to pathos and carries the show on her shoulders. It's been described as an 'Irish fleabag', which does it a disservice - it's own thing with a mixture of darkness, drama, addiction and dysfunctional family dynamics told in a deeply sarcastic, darkly humorous voice. Both hands together praying for season two!