Compulsion

A bleak opening with Jenny (Leanne Best) contemplating suicide by train due to gambling-induced financial problems. During a panic attack onboard, recently bereaved Sasha (Anna Chancellor) helps her and they strike up a relationship. Things quickly spiral out of control for Jenny and it is unclear whether Sasha is a guardian angel or a psychotic demon.

After episode one, I am torn on this - it is either a tightly-written well-acted psychological thriller with interesting twists or it is whiny derivative drivel of the type we see frequently now. Best and Chancellor are fabulous actresses so I await episode 2 before passing final judgement.

Addendum: Skim watched to the end and it is poor with the worst ending imaginable - rescored from 6* to 4*

Having survived a train accident, paramedic Jenny suffers a panic attack on a train, fellow passenger Sasha comes to her aid, the pair strike up a friendship.

Ok, so I'd be lying if I said it didn't have its issues, there are faults, plot holes and some absurd moments, but it is TV, and it deals with an incredibly serious issue, and features some terrific acting.

Leanne Best and Anna Chancellor are both first rate from start to finish, they share some great scenes.

It's very nicely filmed, and looked well produced, unlike recent C5 dramas, it was filmed in The UK, looks like Liverpool.

Nice to see gambling addiction featured in a TV series, it's still a taboo subject, good to see it get some attention.

One of the best dramas to come from Channel 5, Streets ahead of the last few offerings, I really did enjoy it.

7/10.

Whilst I have enjoyed most of this drama, Jenny grabbed a " handful " of SALINE used to clear cannulas, NOT drugs.

No ambulance or base station carries "drugs" as illustrated. They are ALWAYS kept in a locked unit in small quantities.

This inaccurate portrayal could present a threat to ambulance staff.

Initially a nice lady helps you on a train when you are having a panic attack, then quickly becomes your bestie, nothing suspicious about that right?

Better than I expected given the reviews I had read.

As the title says, it actually wasn't too bad. I'd never seen any advertising or mention of this show until I randomly stumbled across it. The best way to describe it is "okay". I'll admit: there's plot holes and some weirdly unusual scenes where I wonder what a particular character is doing. But, it takes on a unique issue - gambling. Considering that topic isn't widely represented in TV I thought the writers took it on quite well. And, the ending was not the best: it was drawn out and didn't really flow or make sense. Bit of a shame as I thought the ending might redeem the previous episodes. I don't know whether its worth watching - give the first episode a go to see if you like it and go from there.