SeaChange

I've watched three episodes of the new Sea Change and I'm enjoying it in its own context, and not relating it back twenty years and attempting to see a seamless connection. The connection is there but time has interrupted the flow. Some original characters and there but older, while some have gone and others have grown up to be played by new actors. It's wonderful to see Sigrid Thornton, John Howard, Kerri Armstrong and Kevin Harrington still bumbling around Pearl Bay, and the addition of the talented Brooke Satchwell, Kate Lister, and a number of others, has injected new blood into the narrative and it has worked very well. I can't see Season 4 sweeping all the television awards handed out every year, but for me it hits the spot and the absence of serial killers, drug addicts and chronic depression are omissions from the plot I'm enjoying while I can.

Set in a small coast side town of Eastern Australia, Seachange follows Laura Gibson and her strange family... well, they seem that way, but they are more truthful than a strange interpretation of the Aussie family... Performances to look for are Sigrid Thorton and David Wehnam in the lead roles and in the supporting cast, I loved the ditsy, but kind hearted couple of Angus (Tom Long) and Karen (Kate Atkinson) and their lines such as "We're on a break from our break." Phrani was great too. "You are like the great god ganisha, except you don't have the head of an elephant and the body of fat little indian man" Hilarious stuff!!

As I'm not an Australia native, I was unable to watch this series when it originally aired and only found out about it after checking out some of David Wenham's work. On a hunch, I purchased the first season (series 1) - mostly to drool over Mr. Wenham.

What I hadn't anticipated was that 'SeaChange' was much more than Diver Dan.

After viewing the first episode, I knew I had to have the rest of the series. While Mr. Wenham's character was (and still is) my favorite, I absolutely adored the rest of the quirky townspeople - even Bob Jelly.

The series had a number of interesting episodes which, while bordering on the fantastic, conveyed some down-to-earth truths, with a moral to each story. All in all, a wonderful series for everyone to enjoy.

I'll admit it. I got hooked watching this last year. Yes I became a lounge lizard, while staying with my dad, over the course of a couple of weeks, watching this daily. I loved the show and it's settings, I so much wanted to be part of the atmosphere of this sleepy town, Pearl Bay, aka: Barwon Heads. The stories are well thought out and interesting. I had watched Sea Change a few Friday nights a year before last, and got into the show, but really got to appreciate it last year. Every actor is so good, no performance lacks. I did miss David's Wenham's departure, his smart alecky talking character was one of my favourites. I know if you started watching this show, it would grow on you. The father and son talk at the end of each show was an ingenious touch, but it's also funny, then leaving you with a small afterthought to ponder over for a few tics. You might also notice a younger Wolf Creek face, pre-backpacker victim. Sigrid Thornton as the town lawyer is very strong too. Like I said, every actor's wonderful rocks. I love the theme song too. It's a winner, like the show.

This is a gem of a series, just perfectly put together, and - that rare thing - something which knew when to stop, so there is no tailing off, just a glorious and appropriate finish. It's funny, clever, warm and beautiful, and every character is perfectly cast, from the main players (Sigrid Thornton, David Wenham, in later seasons William McInnes) through to the supporting cast (Tom Long and John Howard are standouts, but they're all good). As time goes on there are 'in-jokes' and things to look out for, such as the short exchanges between Kevin and his son at the end of every episode, and the viewer feels a part of this wonderful and quirky community. It's scandalous (but not really surprising, I suppose) that Australia is known overseas by shows like Neighbours and Home and Away, and this wonderful piece of art has not yet received due recognition. I live in hope!!

:D