The Red King

Who needs originality! This has every cliché known to man - accept that and just enjoy this near fabulous entertainment.

The plot isn't too dissimilar to HOT FUZZ - a strait laced, by-the-book police officer is posted to an idyllic yet decidedly weird isolated community. It's populated by a collection of marvellously over the top stereotypes who seemingly all hate the new arrival. There's weird rituals, lots of thunder and lightning, the predictable sound of crows squawking in the fog and then we get the murder.

It's a complete rip-off of every spooky police story from WICKER MAN to SCOOBY DOO but it does it so well it's almost fabulous. The team behind this really know what they're doing and have essentially made "a best of" every quirky suspense tv show in the last twenty years.

Once you've finished moaning about the utter unoriginality of this you'll probably love it. Although completely formulaic, it's really professionally made to be entertaining. The acting is spot on and very naturalistic making this nonsense seem entirely believable. Super-gorgeous Anjli Mohindra plays the Simon Pegg type up tight police officer complete with the usual issues all police detectives seem to have in every other tv show. She tackles her crazily over complicated character with gusto and although she's a real pain in the bum, she's such a superb actress that you're immediately on her side.

Mum and I watched this together and both felt it got off to a powerful start and then began to lag by about episode 3. The main part could have done with a better actress, let's be honest. We felt her character was also badly written; her running around like a bull in a China shop without any precaution or reserve soon became wearisome. Towards the end her character took a highly unbelievable full-turn. The plot-holes in the story became far more evident also, which meant the climax was not as exciting. Despite all of this criticism it was still worth a watch and was at least a far better alternative than the Hollywood sequel of the Wicker Man.

Thoroughly enjoyed this show, you will get the wicker man vibes mixed with Hot Fuzz. Basically police sergeant forced out of her division due to whistle blowing on two other officers gets a new posting on a fictional Welsh island but the island has a secret. Coming to terms with a clearly weird populus she has to figure out the disappearance of a local child but uncovers much more. It will keep you guessing till the final episode and split your moral stance on what would you do in that situation. This had my wife and I gripped and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing that confused me is her last posting is in Newcastle and she's posted to St Jory a fictional island off the cost of Wales (shot in Cranstan, Alnwick Northumberland) which is reinforced with Jill Halfpenny turning up help with forensic investigation. Yet it seems Newcastle police have influence over this Welsh island and not say local Swansea police.

"The Red King" emerges as a genre-defying series that intricately weaves elements of traditional police procedural with the eerie undertones of cult classics like "The Wicker Man." Set against the backdrop of a secluded Welsh island, the narrative follows Sergeant Grace, portrayed with compelling depth by Anjli Mohindra. Her character, a whistleblower ostracized from her previous post, finds herself grappling with the island's insular and mystifying ethos.

The series expertly employs a slow-burn narrative approach, reminiscent of "Midsomer Murders," yet infused with a palpable tension akin to "Hot Fuzz." This pacing allows the mysterious and slightly grotesque local customs to unfold with a rhythm that entices the viewer into its increasingly opaque world. The cinematography reinforces this mood, capturing the stark beauty of the Welsh landscape while accentuating the isolation that envelops Grace.

Supporting performances, particularly by James Bamford as Constable Owen, offer a nuanced counterbalance to Mohindra's intensity, enriching the dynamic between the outsider law enforcement and the wary local populace. The plot thickens around the disappearance of a local boy, unraveling over episodes peppered with subtle hints of gore and ritual, culminating in a finale that challenges the viewer's moral compass.

"The Red King" also deftly incorporates thematic elements of folklore and myth, portraying the local population's adherence to a cryptic cult. This motif is visualized through the use of symbolic and unsettling mask imagery, which serves as a constant reminder of the community's arcane secrets. The narrative complexity is further enhanced by the script's sharp dialogue and the characters' ambiguous moral alignments, creating a tapestry rich with thematic depth.

In sum, "The Red King" stands out as a meticulously crafted series that blends crime-solving with psychological horror, offering a fresh take on the detective genre. Its ability to maintain suspense while slowly peeling back layers of character and plot invites comparisons to the slow, menacing unravel of a classic Hitchcock thriller. For aficionados of finely tuned suspense and folklore-infused narratives, "The Red King" promises a uniquely haunting viewing experience.

The set-up resembles 1973 British folk horror film The Wicker Man. But by Episode 2, you should have noticed that not all is the same. And things diverge from there.

I also found the 1973 film was spoiled by having Edward Woodward as the policeman. He was stamped on my mind as tough-guy Callan. It took time to realise that this was a very different sort of character. Not someone like Brownlow from The Bill, but fussy and pious. One reason why it was unpopular at the time.

Here, the police lady is quite tough, and shown to be a stickler for the rules. Sent to a bad posting from something that offended other police - just what comes out by stages.

Watch and enjoy.