FiftyTwoReviews

Alright then, "The Penguin"... been well buzzing for this one, especially after Matt Reeves' "The Batman" absolutely nailed it, giving us a proper gritty Gotham.

First episode, "After Hours," didn't just meet the high expectations, nah, it's spot on, setting the stage proper for what we've all been gagging for. From the off, it properly nails that murky, rain-soaked vibe from the film, feels like a proper continuation, no faffing about. Gotham's alive, or rather, it's a bit knackered but in a proper dangerous way, perfect backdrop for all the dodgy dealings.

Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot? Still a masterclass, mate. He ain't just playing the geezer, he is the Penguin - all that ambition, desperation, and cunning of a bloke trying to climb his way up the criminal ladder. The episode gets straight to it, showing the power vacuum after Falcone's gone, shoving Oswald right into a brutal, often darkly funny, scrap for control.

The supporting cast, even though we've only just met 'em, already looks promising, and that new kid, Victor, he's definitely one to watch, proper interesting.

The pace is tight, the chat's sharp, and every scene's dripping with tension. This opener's a proper gritty, character-driven crime drama that feels perfectly on track to deliver the series we've been waiting for.

Proper cracking start, that. 8.5/10.

After two solid 8/10 episodes, Ep 3 of Code of Silence takes a disappointing turn that highlights the show's growing problems.

The main issue is Alison's increasingly reckless behavior. What started as an interesting premise - a deaf lip-reader assisting police surveillance - has devolved into the tired trope of a civilian going rogue. Alison consistently refuses to coordinate with police, making dangerous choices that no reasonable person would make. And the police seem okay with assisting a civilian playing detective!

It's becoming frustrating to watch.

Rose Ayling-Ellis continues to deliver a committed performance, and the deaf representation remains valuable and well-handled. The technical aspects of the show are still solid, maintaining the visual style that worked in earlier episodes.

However, the writing is clearly struggling.

The series seems trapped between wanting Alison as the central character while creating artificial tension through poor decision-making. Where the first two episodes felt fresh and purposeful, Ep 3 strains credibility by forcing dramatic situations that feel contrived rather than organic.

The show is losing the tight plotting that made it initially compelling. Instead of smart investigation work, we're getting protagonist-driven plot conveniences that undermine the realistic tone the series established.

Code of Silence still has potential, but Ep 3 shows concerning signs that the writers are choosing random formula over logic. If this trend continues, the series risks squandering its strong foundation.

Still watchable, but showing cracks that weren't there before.

All Mood, Mid Momentum... A Slow Burn That Smoulders More Than It Strikes

Untamed had everything going for it... brooding leads, a hauntingly beautiful setting, and a premise with real bite. But across its six episodes, the series never fully cashes in on that promise.

Set in the misty expanse of Yosemite, the story follows a park ranger grappling with personal loss and a rookie investigator trying to solve a violent crime that threatens to unravel more than just the case. The show promises a layered mystery, and to its credit, it delivers one. Just a little too slowly.

Eric Bana gives a tightly controlled performance as Kyle, a man grieving, hunting, and barely holding it together. He's magnetic in moments, but the script gives him far too much silence and not enough inner fire. Opposite him, Ashleigh Cummings holds her own as Naya... sharp, grounded, and often carrying the narrative weight Bana seems unwilling to. Their dynamic has spark, but it's dulled by the show's refusal to accelerate.

And that's the real issue: Untamed is all restraint. The pacing crawls when it should lunge. Revelations land too late. Key twists can be spotted early. The finale, especially, needed to light a fire - instead, it settles for a low flame.

Still, the cinematography is gorgeous, the atmosphere consistent, and the acting strong across the board. It's watchable. Sometimes gripping. But rarely thrilling.

It's a classy slow burn that never quite combusts. Worth a look, just don't expect fireworks.