Crownies

I never noticed but last few years Australia and New Zealand make some very good drama's too many list but never been disappointed yet.

Crownies was a show that really deserved a better fate. Even if it was not to have gone past a second season, there were enough open story-lines at the end of season one that truly should have been allowed to play out in a second concluding season.

As for the delayed spin-off (Janet King), it's a good show, but lacks the warmth and charm of the first series. They kept all the five young actors to start off, but quickly dropped one then another, distancing the new series from the concept of the old.

What remains is of good quality, but less viewer friendly. It's unfortunate they decided to go completely away from the predecessor. Had they found a better balance between the two, retaining the best of both, it could have now overall been even that much better. As although the show now by design is very different, it's not necessarily that much better. It's more mature and serious (less soap box).. but not as much fun.

Unlike the OP I found this series to be fresh, crisp and modern. having worked in a similar setting I found it to be quite realistic. The acting by quite a young cast is well executed and the story line believable. There are interesting plot lines both professional and personal an the character development is being flushed out nicely.

Admittedly some of the extras were a bit lacking but on the whole I feel that this as the show progresses it will only improve. After some of the rubbish we have been receiving from the U.S. I think this will give them a run for their money. it was a refreshing change from the all too familiar offing's from overseas and even from here in the past.

I look forward to seeing how the series pans out and hope others will at least give it a go.

It's early days, but this series (which the ABC seems to have made a lengthy commitment to) has started fairly well. Whether you enjoy it or not will probably depend on how interesting you find competitive, habitually successful young people who approach almost everything in terms of words and arguments.

Standout performances come from Andrea Demetriades, Jeanette Cronin, Ella Scott Lynch and the fantastic Marta Dusseldorp. Aside from a few dodgy extras, all the cast are good. And with any luck as the series goes on, the writers will trust them (and the audience) with dialogue and character developments that are a bit more three-dimensional.

Oh dear. I turned to this when I ran out of Silk episodes to stream. I thought it might be an Aussie version. Was I wrong. Barely into the first episode I asked myself why was I putting myself through this dross. I held on thinking it'll get better anytime now. Currently in E3 (or is it 4?) I don't think I'll see what apparently is mercifully the only season to the end. Neighbours re-written for hornier 21 year olds playing lawyers. Maybe I came to it from Sherlock, Foyle's War and Vera with expectations that were much too high, but seeing as it has been cancelled, probably not. One star because I didn't realize one could give zero.