The Jetty

This looks like a good drama, but it doesn't sound like one. A combination of mumbling, muddy sound production and overbearing soundtrack make most of the dialogue unintelligible. This is a common complaint but it needs to be made. Otherwise, what's the point? Can't see any comparisons with Happy Valley. They're both in Lancashire, full stop. The flashback sequences were obscure to begin with although this makes for an interesting plot element. Plot and character are ok (I think) but foregrounding issues doesn't work if you can't make out what the characters are saying. Ember is an unconvincing lead and her dialogue is rushed as well as whispered.

I had read some of the reviews on here and didn't expect much, but my wife and I thought we would give it a try.

However, despite some reviews saying it was hard to follow etc, we didn't feel like it was and it kept us both watching for the duration of the series.

Jenna Coleman played a fantastic part, even though she had stepped in a new direction with playing the role as a detective. But also, because she is nearing 40 and she still radiates beauty from her teens and doesn't seem to age, and because of this, we struggled to see her as a mature woman detective.

But, any doubts on whether she could pull it off, was pushed aside by some great acting by not only Jenna, but the rest of the cast too.

So, all in all this was a very watchable program and we were invested in the series and watched it to its conclusion.

Well acted on a subject that was tactfully done.

Whenever I come to IMDB to see user reviews about a show that says important things about the lives of women, I'm always stunned to see the low ratings that show has received.

Every single time.

It's a great production with excellent acting. The story is good. It says things about women's lives that are not comfortable for men to acknowledge. And many women will take issue with it too, because that's what we do to ourselves. But the things it says are things that are obviously true, and in The Jetty, they are well presented in an absorbing story.

To the creators: well done, and sorry this series will never get the rating it deserves. Maybe if you put a superhero into it?

I watched all the episodes in one night as it did reel me in, however, there were instances that didn't make sense. For example, the flashbacks made it seem like they were in 80's as opposed to the early 2000's, the whole seance situations with Ember's Mum were weird and not relevant. And the horse scene!! Really unnecessary!

The biggest part of the series that didn't make sense, and I'd consider a big plot hole, is the fact that no one who Ember worked with connected her to Malachy even though they were married and he'd only died the year before! How is that even possible?! Still worth a watch though.

DC Ember Manning investigates a fire at a jetty, an event that causes her to look into a cold case, the disappearance of a girl called Amy. Ember has to face the prospect of her late husband Malachy being involved.

Ember, the central character was billed as the new Vera, that's the reason I tuned in, but let's be honest here, it's not in the same league, she's a Northern Detective, and that's it.

I found this generally disappointing, episode three is pretty good, but the rest is average at best, not as bad as some of the scathing reviews, and those giving this eight and nine star ratings, I'll have a pint of what you're drinking.

I may be slow on the uptake, but it took me ages to work out that two different times were running at that same time. The narrative is absolutely all over the place, it's hard to follow and keep up with, largely because it's so dull in parts.

Visually it's too dark, it's like Jamaica Inn all over again, some nice visuals, especially at the start of the first episode.

The Male characters are all atrocious, as you'd expect from The BBC, Hitch is a man child, Malachy is a drug dealing creep, Russell is a psycho, Needham is a bully, let's face it, not one of them is even half decent.

Coleman is a very talented actress, but she's totally wrong for this part, I didn't think she had any degree of presence, she at no point feels like a Detective.

I'm not sure I see this being recommissioned.

5/10.