The Level

The Level is yet another crime drama from the UK. That's not a bad thing in itself but I do feel, at times, they start to run short of ideas and The Level is a case in question.

Firstly lets look at the good. Its predictably well acted, directed and ably creates an atmosphere of rising tension, that fits well with the series overriding plot.

The bad is reflected in the fact that the whole notion, is a little far fetched. The proposition of a cop having a personal link with an individual from a questionable, legal background is fine. Whats inexplicable are the cops actions after initial events unfold. Whilst most people would be keeping a low profile, maybe even resigning or transferring to stay off the radar, she wades into an investigation that stands to expose her. Of course, this is the at the heart of the story but it is in my opinion "weak tea" and more than a little implausible.

That's not to say this series is not watchable. It is for the most part but I found it stretched my credulity more than a little. Six out of ten from me.

I have just watched this over 4 nights over here in NZ. It was a solid work, gripping to the point of silencing my son (16 so old enough!) when the final episode was on. I found the story intriguing with good acting. There were only 2 moments where I though "wow, really??" but both were obviously in order to move the story along. While a fellow reviewer called the main character a snowflake (gah!) who didn't live up to her story reputation it needs to be kept in mind that she has just lost a key person in her life and sustained an injury - it's true she's no John McClane, and I can live with that. The story is as much about her and her personal relationships as it is the whodunit thriller. Sit back and enjoy the ride. The only criticism I found was that Noel Clarke's character was a little one dimensional, I would love another series with more character progression for him. LOVED IT!

...and patterns repeat and repeat, and the story adds a few too many flaws, even an excellently performed show like this falls down into nothingness. That's what happened here. But worth watching if you have no better thing to do.

This show had me hooked. Wish the second series had followed

Just watched this on Acorn, excellent plot with many twists. The quality of acting we have come to expect from a British production. Hope there is a sequel in the pipeline