Paula

The characters created for this series are the most cringe worth group created in a very, very long time. Normally you can find one sympathetic character in a show, but in this case everyone is totally dislikable. The other major problem is the inconsistent unfolding of the plot due to very poor script writing: one major event in the first episode just simply dies/disappears in the second and third episode; given the seriousness of this event this is an extraordinary problem for consistency in the program - in fact, I literally yelled "That's ridiculous!" at my tv screen midway through the second episode. I did watch all three episodes, but regret doing so. This show really gives credence to the need for a zero star rating.

The best thing about this Irish-set drama are its strong characters, notably the heroine, a confident but normal young woman whose life is undermined after making an unfortunate sexual acquaintance. It's relative weakness is its plot, which fails to operate on the principle that "less is more"; instead, the menacing premise set up in the first episode is not so much built upon, but almost discarded in favour of new, unnecessary elements, and the ultimate conclusion doesn't ring true. It's a shame, as the cast all do a good job; with a little more restraint, this could have been really good.

To begin with, this was good edgy stuff. There were some inconsistencies in Paula's character but then that can be true of life too. The slow moving first episode came, rather abruptly, to a climax. Then everything fell apart. At the start of episode two, I genuinely felt I must have missed at least half an episode. The characters had gone completely over the top, shouting, screaming and acting hysterically. It's all completely inexplicable. At least Paula is acting more consistently. She just goes to bed with whoever happens to walk through her hall door. Then she starts shooting wildly in a bathroom in an empty city restaurant at Christmas! Why is it Christmas all of a sudden? Or is it just that the production had too much to drink and thought it was Christmas?

Everything is falling apart in Paula's life. She is having an affair with a married teacher colleague, and now her headmaster has found out about it. Her younger brother is having serious problems (drugs, alcohol?) and is living in a garage. Moreover she has discovered rats in her basement, and when she hires a handyman to take care of the problem, he turns out to be a psychopath. No wonder Paula has to swallow a lot of pills to avoid a breakdown.

This is the outline of the brilliant thriller TV-series "Paula" from BBC, which is a movement away from "tedious realism" towards an embracement of the supernatural and elements from old horror movies such as haunting ghosts, rats in basement of your house, and children locked up in a cupboard. It's all really a bit over the top, but I love it. The acting is very convincing. Paula i played by one of the upcoming actresses in British film, Denise Gough and the sexy but dangerous handy man, which Paula hires to fix the basement of her house, is played by Tom Hughes.

What a let down.. The 1st 2 episodes had some potential even if there were holes in the plot all over the place.. So many unanswered questions and random plot lines that don't make sense.. I was really disappointed after watching this. If you haven't already watched it I'd advise you to steer clear.. It's terrible..