High Country

Ignore the other reviews... this is and should be a standalone series of its own accord and merit. Started off like so many other wannabe-mystery-thrillers and actually came to a very satisfying and logical conclusion, despite the red herrings along the way. Yes, the nit-pickers amongst us could argue the knackers off the side-stories including those of the teen gang and the native Bush tracker family but it all makes sense in the end. Beautiful, spooky, lush and emotive scenery utilised to its fullest potential with a well executed plot that kept me guessing all along. Not a disappointment in the slightest. Let's try not to be too cynical and hyper-critical here, OK?

I have delayed writing this review while I sort out my conflicting thoughts about this series.

On the one hand the eponymous high country is an impressive backdrop to the story, there is an interesting sub-text regarding the aboriginal heritage of the police sergeant and the plot is complex and the ending contains surprises.

On the other I did struggle to follow the plot, which is not usually a problem for me. Worse, the main characters were too often required to behave nonsensically in order to create the next moment of drama.

So this series has its merits and I did watch it through to the end. But it could have been better.

There is much to commend this series but it falls short of greatness.

The plot and the mystery is well done and the script and acting are very good throughout. However, you can't help feeling you have seen it before. The reason for this is the plot line has been dropped into a paint by numbers tv detective drama structure with so my of the usual tropes present. For example, the retiring old policemen, the strained relationship with the partner, teenage child who is rebellious and feeling neglected to mention just three. However, despite this it is watchable amd is also designed for bi fe watching. Deliberately so in that each episode leaves you with a cliffhanger to lead in to the next episode. The only problem is that by the time you get half way though you realise that the cliffhangers don't really amount to much at all.

Another flaw, as mentioned in other reviews here is that while the main plot reaches a conclusion and you find out who is doing what etc, it still leaves a few loose ends unexplained or unresolved. This deliberate in an attempt to justify an2nd series. Except that although these thing are unresolved they aren't going to tempt you to want more and so it all seems flat.

A police sergeant ups her urban family and moves to the Aussie high country to run a local station. A murder case and a few run-in's with the locals keeps Sergeant Whitford on edge, and it only gets complicated when she involves a psychic with a dubious past.

It's a run-of-the-mill story of police officer moving to an inhospitable country and challenged every step of the way. What makes it interesting is the indigenous heritage of the sergeant, and the relationship with her partner, Helen. These elements will no doubt weigh in heavily as the series progresses, and hopefully improve it.

Leah Purcell does the best with the material on offer, that lacks an edge, or even any conviction. It is a mystery series with a few thrills that has moments, but no real creative tone or structure until the last part of episode two. Worth staying for further episodes to see in what direction it points.

Nothing could even prepare me to watch so far the first couple of episodes that have aired, because it was written by the team who were behind Wentworth and then you just knew it had to be good.

Leah Purcell being given the reigns of her first lead in a series and it is off to a magnificent start and how good are the shots of the country? We have some of the best bushlands in Australia and this show is showcasing it perfectly.

My only wish is what would Brian have said when he seen this one come to life, afterall it was his last commission as head of foxtel/binge, this one is for you Brian

Stick with it, you might just like it. I know I do.