Safe House

The two seasons of this series had well known actors in the cast. That, along with good acting, reasonably good directing, and production values. Made the series watch able. However the plots were rather sub par. As with many TV series, the premier season is fairly good, while the second season isn't. The most interesting thing in the series, is discovering the secrets that the various characters have. The dialog in the series is passable, but any writing in regards to the overall plot. Isn't as good and there are plot holes that are never explained. Also, the writers rely on characters doing stupid, reckless, and selfish things to move the plots along. I think one of the worse scenes is with a seasoned former police officer running after a car speeding away with his kidnapped wife inside, calling her name. Talk about an exercise in futility, with a heavy dose of melodrama.

This is an example of a thin ITV drama stretched out and reliant on its star power. Christopher Eccleston was protecting the wife of a gangster who was shot dead as she was due to give evidence against her husband.

The now retired Eccleston still haunted by his past mistake is running a guest house in the Lake District with his wife. He is asked by his old boss Paterson Joseph to turn it into a safe house for a family whose son is being stalked by a psychopath released from jail.

Both multiple plot lines head for a dramatic and explosive showdown but feels more like a damp squib especially as you always feel the Joseph is somehow implicated in the first plot line. Plenty of flashbacks and overwrought characters but it could had been told more effectively in two hours.

Watched 1st series and was on edge of seat - brilliant cast, plot and scenery. Couldn't wait to watch the 2nd series.. all going ok until the 4th episode - huh? What happened? Really... that's it? Talk about unfinished business. Very disappointing. Watch the 1st and enjoy, just don't bother with the 2nd as it will definitely not live up to your expectations.

I was really enjoying the plot and potential twists,

the story line addressed some good real life scenarios with a dramatic effect which would of gripped many people, however the final episode was unrealistic in so many ways and so poorly constructed,

the ending was particularly poor. The acting was good and the scenery was spectacular set in a beautiful part of England I felt really let down by the fourth episode and indeed questioned whether that was the end and subsequently wished I hadn't wasted my time. This type of series seems to be on the up, however I like a real conclusion that is believable in some way, this was not. Would not watch a second season based on the ending here.

....but that's it I'm afraid. I was taken in initially and then I was in disbelief. Ok, I get that without the negligence of the of the characters, from the police, the family to the safe house operators, there wouldn't be much of a story. I tried to accept this is tv, only to find that I was ahead of the plot...resulting in fast forwarding the final episode.