Reunion

I'm having trouble writing this review as the normal words you use to describe a TV mini series just don't express the feelings you have when watching Reunion.

Yes the way it blends sign language, lip reading, subtitles and silence make it difficult to get used to at first but it isn't as difficult as being profoundly deaf actors delivering such awesome performances!

Yes it starts slowly as most do whilst the characters are introduced and cryptic hints to the plot are seeded.

Yes it isn't easy to fully appreciate the isolation, frustration. Anger, depression, misunderstandings, indifference and prejudice being experienced.... but we should shouldn't we?!

BUT at the heart of Reunion are some really important stories to be told and the twists and turns are every bit as good as a 'normal' thriller. Try to suspend the normal rules you use to judge this and see it for the groundbreaking, emotional, educational and absolutely awesome drama that it is.

Daniel Brennan is released after serving a ten year prison sentence for murdering his friend Ray. Brennan is keen to meet up with his daughter Carly and is desperate to find someone from his past.

A groundbreaking drama, my honest advice is to ignore the negative reviews, they simply do not relate to this incredible drama. The BBC isn't exactly at its best right now, but there's always a chance that it'll put out a classic series, Reunion is just that.

This deserves to be remembered for years to come, after a good first episode, it opens up in the most unexpected way, as soon as you get used to the formula, you'll be engrossed, I haven't seen anything as good as this for some time.

Mathew Gurney deserves an award for this, his performance quite simply, was breathtaking, in episodes three and four he actually had me in tears, unbelievable, I thought he was phenomenal.

The supporting cast are terrific, Peake, Duff, Marsan, Sims, the whole lot of them did a great job.

So good to be able to give a drama a perfect score.

10/10.

I never expected such a series. I mean, it never crossed my mind that sign language would be frequently used in the dialogues. Then I realized how unfamiliar we are with the world of the deaf and how much we have excluded this world, and I felt deeply ashamed. I have great respect for the deaf, as I do for all people with disabilities, but this film made me understand that I had never developed any empathy, nor had I ever thought about what it's like to be deaf. The storyline is incredibly captivating. Matthew Gurney's acting is not just extraordinary; it's exceptional. Lara Peake also delivers an outstanding performance. It was one of the best performances I've ever seen. I watched every episode of the series without blinking. I was never bored and was in awe of the soundtrack that played at the end of each episode. Ms. Helen Ostler, you have created a truly remarkable series. Thank you!

I have resisted the urge to binge-watch so this is based on 3/4 Episodes. I found it to be Compelling, emotional..kept me glued to the screen. Unlike some reviews here, I thoroughly enjoyed the signing & the subtitles (I think it helps with subtitles if you are an avid speed reader anyway). The performances from the main characters, outstanding. However, the most important comment for me to add is that it really made me think & try to understand what it must be to be deaf. I recently lost my hearing for 2 days due to flying & I was SO frustrated with it. This drama has given me an insight i never had before. Well Done to everyone involved..its superb!

This show really like to show the same stuff over and over again; flashbacks, recalls. I swear one episode I watched and I was thinking "haven't I seen this before?"... aahh another flashback!

It also runs the typical cliché of corrupt cop and bad childhood trauma.

The only original thing this show has going for it is that it has deaf actors involved. So perpare yourself for reading a lot of text instead of voices and a lot of hand signs, whispering or weird noises coming out of their mouths. Sometimes it's a bit funny and I had to laugh several times.

There are also a lot of stuff that annoyed me: The characters deliberately refuse to answer questions or talk about sertain topics because that would ruin the slow pace of the show.

Also how long does it take to track down one guy in a town? If I really wanted to find someone who still lived there I wouldn't spend days or weeks finding him. Maybe couple of hours.

There is also a stupid scene with a cop that is batantly corrupt in front of an interpreter as he is filmed on camera. He tries to hide this by turning off the voice recorder in the room. But what about the camera? He doesn't know he is being filmed?

The only thing keeping me watching it is the good acting, funny moments and I want to know what happens. I probably won't find out since this is a running show with no ending, so either it gets cancelled or dragged on for so long I will quit watching before the end.

6 / 10.