The Fall

What a powerhouse performance by Gillian Anderson ... this is a murder case, a detective story ... but it also is about feminism in a way. Now you may roll your eyes (or applaud), depending on how or what that word does to you. But while other movies may really use a too obvious way to hammer home certain social/gender issues, this really tackles it all with the right amount of self awareness! The main character is not without flaws ... but no hero is perfect, no matter if male or female.

And her acting out (as some might call it), is her just living ... being an independent woman. She may be showing a colder side most of the time, but it is just because she has been hardened by so many years fighting on so many fronts - not just by trying to catch criminals. Her attitude may not sit well with some, but that is just who she is. And yet while she is tough, she has more than a heart of gold. She is the morally speaking the core of it all ... which I reckon some will disagree with - especially considering some of her ... (night) activities.

But you shouldn't judge her, especially when you have Jamie Dorman here ... who may not have gone any extra mile in the 50 shades of Grey movie(s - only saw the first one), but goes over the top in this one ... kidding aside and this is quite the serious matter and serious life or death situation that you get served here. The performances are amazing. Some strands may feel not resolved by the end of it and the third season is ... I would call it great, but differently than the first two in so many aspects.

A really good show then, that has many interesting aspects, especially when it comes to morals, insanity and social perceptions ...

This series had me gripped from start to finish, and I couldn't be happier that a second series has been green-lit. As a senior police officer leads the hunt for a serial killer in Belfast, we see the similarities in these two amoral protagonists. The story unfolds with an economy of scene structure which never omits important details; every scene drives the narrative, but it never feels unreal or stretches credulity. Beautifully paced, tension abounds with spine-tingling murder scenes. The characters are very well written, and played with pitch-perfect performances from the leads, Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan. Another reviewer on this strand didn't like the ending, but for me it was spot on. The story took the time to include complexities and unresolved events which are reflective of real life. Are we to castigate every TV show production team who leave a show on a cliffhanger ending to give them somewhere to go with the next series? If the next one carries the universally excellent production values of the first, then I for one can't wait.

Gillian Anderson is an excellent choice as lead detective in this series about her pursuit of a serial killer. The show also follows the life of the serial killer giving the audience an inside look that is rare and quite similar to Hannibal, but less dramatic in a good way. Ironically Gillian Anderson also has a prominent role in Hannibal as his personal Psychiatrist. I wish there were more shows like this on television, but I fear that the average person is more drawn to less sophisticated programming. At times it seems a bit slow, but the characters are so interesting it really doesn't bother me at all. I have yet to notice any glaring wholes in the writing and quite honestly the filming and cinematography is excellent! I pray this show is on for many more seasons to come, often though it is this type of show with all its perfection that gets cut short... let's keep our fingers crossed... they did at least get a 2nd Season.

This show, as many British shows, takes its time developing. It's not in a rush like American TV.

This happens to be one reason why I like British television. Anyway, this show scared the bejesus out of me showing everything in such stark, real detail.

It's very very scary to see someone who has such an ordinary life (wife, kids, job) being such an evil person on the inside.

Anyway, if you like British television and you like VERY DARK shows, this show will probably rock your socks off. Me? I don't know if I can handle how dark it is in spite of its excellence.

"The Fall" is a very well filmed and developed story. The acting of all the cast is accurate and right where it needs to be. No more, no less.

For all of you that are used to the fast paced American type of the genre and everything that it includes, the directing will seem a bit/quite slow.

But actually it is not because it is very realistic. Real serial, real police people, real police building, with no unnecessary details, no unnecessary high tech gadgets or theatrics. It is purely European (british-irish) style.

So, do watch it for what it is and not for what you are used to and what it is not.

This is an addition for the second season of the show. The review remains the same except the pace of the episodes. In comparison with the first season they have become faster and tighter. The second season is more personal for both the leading characters. The ending was somewhat ambivalent and can definitely bring a third season if so decided from all parties.

Gillian Anderson's performance was even better than the first season. Jamie Dornan's as well. Everything was just as good and a little bit better. In conclusion "The Fall" is TV at its best!