Deep Water

I'm only on Episode 3, and so far it's pretty good - the writing and acting are certainly above average...

... but the DIRECTING/CINEMATOGRAPHY! Yikes!

The show has a surfeit of close-ups and extreme close-ups that are distracting in that their use both draws attention to itself and also robs the shots of any emotional power - like a TEXT MESSAGE IN ALL CAPS - they become meaningless after a while. I don't know if this was a stylistic or budgetary choice, but a lot of the intensity of some scenes was seriously curtailed by its overuse.

Show some restraint next time!

I suppose my title is as much a comment on me as the show. Only four episodes long, this series is confusing with multiple similar characters and intertwining subplots. Maybe this just an accurate reflection of true cop cases - many shades of gray and inferential evidence with few clearcut leads - but it doesn't make for good viewing. Maybe it's just my Pooh-brain too dithered to keep track of them all, but not for lack of experience.

How is this diminutive detective (played by Yael Stone) supposed to run down bad guys in boots with 3 inch heels. Why couldn't the director just accept she's only 5 feet tall and let her wear sneakers? Is there some sort of cinematographic rule against letting short people be short? Ironic because the director seemingly has no problem repeatedly filming closeups of her dwarfish, stubby fingers.

This show was pretty good. The plot was complex enough. Some things to distract you. If you like mystery detective shows this one is pretty good. Based in Australia this adds to some interest. Just a different location. The stars are very good. They dig deep into some cultural problems of the past that ends up driving them to the end of the story. I found that part the most interesting.

Deep Water is, for the most part, an engaging Australian crime/thriller series with a qualifier.....

In my opinion there's a discernible thread of rather brittle, well worn political correctness that would have best been discarded in favour of a more down to earth approach. The key character is buttoned up to a degree that undermines the simple, flawed humanity we all share. Instead she comes across as a poster boy (oops I mean girl) for the kind of saccharine, intolerant, tolerance, we have all been force fed by big government and its mainstream media stooges, over the last 20 or so years.

Her colleague, who seems infinitely more real as a person, is often a sounding board for her somewhat prickly "tut-tutting". Its a shame what, I feel, is a timid, almost apologetic, approach to scripting, has been adopted. Mainly because, in all other respects, Deep Water is a very engaging, intelligently written and well acted mini series.

In summary another decent Aussie series that has an important message about intolerance which, I believe, would have benefited from a more open and down to earth approach. Still a worthy watch. Eight out of ten from me.