After the Flood

I'm writing a review as the ones I've read are so negative. Criticisms involve (a) another strong female lead who knows better than the men. After 70 years of male detectives sweeping the floor with women it's about time the strong female lead takes her place in drama - we need more not less (sorry boys but coercive control tends to be a male thing) and yet the female character is not so strong as to be free of coercive control. Then (b) the dialogue is too ordinary like everyday conversation! As a writer I can tell you that "writing the ordinary" is a ton harder than convoluted language. It also makes the story easy to follow and the characters appear more real. Perhaps those who don't like it simply watch too much TV? Then (c) the so called ridiculous plot. What police drama doesn't have a ridiculous plot? Line of Fantasy Duty? This was believable on-edge stuff with great acting that kept one guessing right to the end - with enough tension and up-to-date themes. The ambiguous characters ensured there could easily be a series 2 and I look forward to watching it.

I wonder whether some of the negative reviews are from viewers who did not stick with it long enough. I did and found, after a slow start, it got me hooked. Excellent acting and production. Plenty of twists in the tale. Left you looking forward to finding out how everybody survived the ending. Special mention to Sophie Rundle who held it all together.

I would guess it suffered from reviewers expecting it to be as good as Happy Valley. Touted as being produced by the same people fed into this expectation. Best to see it as a fine drama in its own right. I look forward to the next series. Don't be put off..

... recently appearing is several very popular series, Peaky Binders, The Diplomat, Gentleman Jack, et al, Sophie Rundel once again is heavily involved leading in the success of this cop-show-drama... yes, you must get past her character being many months pregnant, and yet still very active in dangerous police investigative operations

... that aside, it's got a pretty decent plot-storyline, good-solid acting, with higher than average production values... winding up after six episodes with credible storyline threads heading towards another season series

... reading many of the bad reviews, they are not entirely incorrect.. this is not a perfect story by any means, yet it is entertaining programming, believed to be worthwhile viewing for this, and for the next series should it come about.

I thought the first episode was very promising as the flood scenes were very realistic indicating it might be a drama series that had cost a lot to make and so would be very good. I also like Philip Glenister and Lorraine Ashworth as actors. The first episode and these two actors account for my 4 star rating. Thereafter the series becomes a typical ITV drama, promising start to reel viewers in leading to a damp squib of an ending. It's also quite obvious that many police dramas are written these days with a female officer/detective showing her male colleagues up to be incompetent. That formula is wearing a bit thin. I can't comment too much on the plot (other than as many holes as a culender.) without giving away spoilers. Overall watchable but do not expect Happy Valley.

What the heck is with all the reviews absolutely slating this show ? Are people's attention spans or expectations just out of whack these days ?

I say give it a try, and switch off if it's not your cup of tea.

This was recommended to me by my Scottish neighbour. We both watch plenty of series and movies. OK maybe it's not super duper top notch drama or mystery, but it's entertainment. That's it, entertainment, it's not here to change your life or guide you to a higher plane.

Oh we live in Australia by the way, and so seeing the countryside, the towns and the 'people' is always a nice thing to us ex pats. It does get one homesick at times that's for sure.

In this series things certainly take a sharp upturn in episode 5, woooooh.

Somebody here stated that the bad guys are telegraphed, well OK there's only a handful of characters and well, someone there has to be involved, I mean that's how stories work right.

The way certain people are involved is what makes this turn out great, no spoilers intended, but it's not black and white.

I watched it over 2 days and it filled in some time, y'know like entertainment is made for.

OK, give it a go I say, and enjoy that cup of tea, cheers.