The Castaways

Episode 1 is nothing to write home about and if I'm honest, and it wasn't Easter, I would not have watched any further. As it is, I found myself starting to watch episode 2 in the hope that this would get better. I mean, who doesn't like a good old fashioned marooned on a desert island story, especially when it has characters who survive a plane crash! Background stories were vaguely interesting but didn't really add much to the plot. There are a few annoying scenes when one thinks for heavens sake, you're on an island and need to be in survival mode and not rock the boat the more you find out about your fellow survivors.

Anyway, it didn't get any better but I found myself watching it all.

If you have nothing better to do and appreciate Sheridan Smith (even though I did find her annoying in a couple of scenes, but overall, terrific actress), maybe you'll like it more than the 6 stars I gave it - which was being generous!

And you will not be dissapointed.

If however you would think it will show similar struggle to survive, you will be hugely dissapointed. There is almost nothing about this, how to settle on a deserted island with no human presence at all. From one part to another there are huts, they know how to fish, they have food and water, although complaining it is not sufficient.

Of course setting is fantastic, nature itself is worth watching.

The plot is very unrealistic and sometimes ridiculous, but the scale of it is not more, than in an average criminal story.

Acting is average and uneven. I am afraid Sheridan Smith is not convincing at all. The best of the cast is Lasarus Ratuere.

So, if it rains and you have already walked your dog, make yourself a nice cup of tea and relax watching this beautiful island.

Sisters Lori and Erin enjoy a holiday of a lifetime, however a falling out sees Erin left behind as Lori boards a flight, a flight that disappears, crashing down on a remote island. Erin refused

This drama doesn't deserve the criticism it's been receiving, it's far from perfect, but if you want a couple of hours of escapism, excitement and intrigue, then this will definitely keep you entertained.

There's a mystery, there's tension, there are multiple scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat, just know what you're getting, and don't expect reality.

At times it feels as though you're watching Lost, a group is individuals, who crash down on a remote island, but fortunately it runs for just five episodes long, not 100 plus.

I watched it for one reason, the presence of Sheridan Smith, and of course she's excellent, but I'm also going to applaud Celine Buckens, who's great as Erin.

7/10.

The scathing reviews of this show are a bit over-the-top I must say. It's not that bad, in fact, I would even go as far as to say its good. Not brilliant by any stretch, but at less than 5 hours in total, it's decent enough to waste away an evening or two with some mindless escapism. Now I haven't read the book, nor was I aware of it's existence until now, so this review is based on being standalone and will not be compared to the literature.

The story interchanges between "then", which is about Lori, who is stranded on an uninhabited island following a plane crash. And "now", which follows her sister Erin, a journalist who's obsession with finding Lori has understandably taken over her life. Months have passed since the plane fell from the sky and marooned a handful of survivors on the island and over the course of the story we learn that there are several survivors who have a good reason to never be found. Things go missing, mystery traitors sabotage progress, and despite apparently being a team, the isolated group start to turn on each other until the now and then catch up with each other as we enter the climax of the story. All along the way, Erins investigation drives the plot and reveals the secrets of the past.

There's nothing here that is groundbreaking, the dialogue can be iffy but the actors mostly play their parts well and the mystery elements keep you guessing throughout. The main downside for me was the little things that take the realism away. They settle in to life on a desert island remarkably easily, with little struggle and are mostly perfectly presented throughout. No sunburn or tanning to be seen, never do we see them struggle for food or water and the rate they seem to learn how to twine, thatch and build from the islands limited resources is quite remarkable.

That all being said, the story and mystery is entertaining enough to make this worth a watch, even if you do have to suspend your disbelief sometimes and ignore the odd plot hole. As long as you don't go in expecting Emmy worthy television and are prepared for some mindless entertainment, then you won't be disappointed.

6/10.

This first 3 and a half episodes were really quite good but the as they start to wrap things up it goes downhill faster than the plane in episode 1.

I used to like Sheridan Smith but she looks ridiculous since she has had he teeth done (all the publicity behind the show seems to be about her tattoos having to be covered up each day though).

As is the law with modern tv dramas these days, all white men are weak, adulterous or evil and it is quite obvious who will be making it successfully to the end of the series.

I have seen the actress who plays Erin in a couple of things now and she might well become a bigger star as women get more ballsy roles these days.

Lovely scenery. Just a shame how it all ends.

It's all Greek to me except the bits which were actually filmed in Fiji.