Strife

I thoroughly enjoyed this! I'm not normally a massive fan of Australian productions. Although I've definitely been wonderfully surprised in recent years. We've turned out some great stuff and it's a really exciting time for Aussie shows.

But what drew me to this was the premise being somewhat inspired by Mia Freedman. I remember Mamamia when it was just Mia, and I loved it.

Anyway, I can't really fault this show in any way.

The characters, the story line, the issues being tackled. It all felt very authentic whilst also being entertaining. I binged this over 2 days and I really hope we got another season.

I consumed the whole show within a 48 hour period and I'm impressed with what they've achieved here. The production quality and acting are great, and the storyline is well-paced - it stays interesting the whole way through whilst still being light enough to suit any mood. I really enjoyed seeing current, potentially dicey issues addressed directly in a way that's entertaining and self-aware. No character or storyline is unrealistically perfect here, and that authenticity makes the story easy to connect with. The script's style of humour reminds me faintly of one of my all-time favourite shows, The Bold Type - specifically, the hilariously-awkward cold opens with manifold missteps taken in the character's stride. In the year of the Barbie movie, Strife does an admirable job of depicting the nuanced struggles of modern feminists and of celebrating and showcasing real people in all our imperfect perfection.

Season 1 was a bit slow going as you get to know the characters but by season 2 I was hooked. I understand what people are saying about the main character being unlikeable at times in season 1, but if you've read the book this is kind of crucial to the story. I think we're so used to the main character being the perfect person we're gunning for, but I love that Evelyn Jones is flawed. I love the Mamamia brand & the story of how it came about, so it helps to watch it with some back story, but in saying that my husband watched it with me & also loved it. Laughs, tears, and Asher Keddie. Loved it!

A caveat: I'm not a fan of Mia Freedman or her ouevre, but I tried to be as objective as possible.

I really wanted to like this. Asher Keddie is a goddamn national treasure. Her work in Love This Way and Offspring was great TV. But Strife is not worthy of her considerable skills. The writing is clumsy and, unusually, the main character is the least compelling in the whole cast. Evelyn Jones is simultaneously self-aggrandising, condescending and hypocritical, not to mention exceedingly unlikeable.

Tina Bursill, Emma Lung and Matt Day are all great, and it's refreshing to see young unknown actors get a shot, but this could have been so much better.

Well made, funny, captivating and I love how if you followed Mia's story you recognise certain characters and events and her polarising character but it is not over or under done. Just what this tired old feminist needed plus Asher is amazing and the perfect casting choice. Honestly I just loved it and would have said no notes if it was allowed. Australian television gets a bad rap but this is an absolutely gem. I am so desperate for a season two, I could even see it continue on for many seasons! I watched it all on a day as I could not help myself, I had to finish it but then I was so sad it was over when it was.