The Girl Before

Caught on BBC iplayer over Christmas.

Everything after entering the house was (mostly) plausible, but it was based on the condition that those agreeing to the tenancy had to completely give up any privacy they once had. For me, this would have been a deal killer after reading the first of the 200 conditions. Otherwise, this was a well scripted, shot and acted drama.

A quirky and different drama, and I'm pleased I persisted beyond the rather slow and tricky first episode.

A story of pure fantasy, but if you accept that, the other problems are just about tolerable. What I found hardest to accept was the character of Jane, who lurches from being quite smart to extremely naive. This gets worse as the drama unfolds.

But I liked the idea of how the house and the architect's personality are enmeshed. Makes it very different from a standard thriller.

The story of two women, Emma and Jane, linked by a house, and a man, Edward.

I came away from part one so confused, but curious, by the end of episode two, I was totally gripped and desperate for more, and to know the outcome.

It is pretty tough to follow, you need to be on your A game, as there is a lot going on. It does jump about quite a lot, back and forth, side to side, so watch it sober. Pacing may be an issue for some, but personally I enjoyed the way the story was told.

So many random events, drama, chaos, curiosity, you'll ask why, how and who, but ultimately there is just one single question, what happened that night? Easy to get sidetracked here in some of the strands, and there are many, but the core of the story is excellent.

I think the cast are fabulous, David Oyelowo is impressive throughout, charming and sinister.

A strange choice for The BBC I thought, putting this out Christmas week, it does deal with some pretty bleak themes, however it is worth your time, 8/10.

Everything seems so good: the idea, the storytelling, the acting, the atmosphere and the mystery... but... completely lets you down by the cliched and predictable ending. An ending so bad and poorly executed that underestimates the viewer's intelligence.

Not to mention the life experiences of the main characters that are completely irrelevant to the main story.

It's a pity as all the prospects for an intriguing and intelligent tv-show were there, by the reach of the hand.

I enjoyed this whodunnit even allowing for the police overlooking what would appear to be obvious evidence in Emma's case but i suppose it could happen.

The rest was pacy and well acted.

Just one thing. If i owned a smart house I'd like it to be a bit smarter than this model. A good security review wouldn't go astray.