Banished

This is a period piece that takes place in 1800 Australia. Filmed on location, the setting is beautiful. If you haven't been to Australia this gives you a chance to enjoy this beautiful continent... The story is pure enjoyment...Up there with The Boardwalk Empire, Rome and a few others... the acting is great, the writers are fantastic! It is easy to buy into the story and you are gone on a wonderful vacation from reality....and isn't that the best in entertainment? I just discovered it...just finished it..and then found out there is not to be a second series...However, the story has a natural ending even through there is much more that could be done with such a script. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

So surprised about the negative reviews of this. I think this was an excellent piece of scriptwriting, so emotive and interesting. No, it may not have been 100% historically accurate but it is drama not a documentary, so should not be expected to be. In fact, I had never heard much of the story of the Australian convicts before, and given that this was based on many true stories, I found it very interesting; usually this time period does not normally interest me but the exploration of power, duty and morals of this period were great. After such good character development and acting, I was in tears after the events of the last episode. Beautiful portrayal of humanity.

Such a good show! I was so shocked to see it was cancelled after one season! Please bring it back!

This series may not be a good one for the people who are in to the history, it may be misleading to those who don not have idea on history, but it gives an idea about History of Australia for those not in to history.

Apart form that, it is not always possible to show "as it is" the history while reproducing the Movies and Shows. It is required to deviate a little bit but not too much, and introduce the romance, fun, foreplays, etc., bits to make it more entertaining. Other wise no will watch and no one will sponsor. One need to understand that.

I have watched first season, to me it went well... Actions, Story is perfect, maintained Thrill & Kick through out the show. The Good script is always the one, which goes beyond the imagination of the viewers, that is it, it has got and it is more than enough to get 8 points.

Sad it is cancelled, I don't see any reason to cancel this show.

I have to be lucky I was exposed to Australian history at quite a young age even for it to be taught in a fascinating manner. I have since maintained a healthy passion for Australia's Colonial History in particular, mainly between the first fleet of 1788 and pre-1901 federation anything before then was Indigenous culture and outsiders Exploration.

'Banished' is particularly inspired by historical events after the landing of the first fleet, and really examines the life and times of the convicts and naval authority of the Penal Colony that would become known as Sydney.

I can honestly say the overall quality of the series was really impressive. There's enough compelling drama and insight into the lives of the convicts and settlers, mostly fighting for survival and civil rights and disobedience challenging the authority. I also loved the genuine sense of historical authenticity reflected in the series' production design, costumes and aesthetics along with some fantastic performances from a talented ensemble cast I admire.

Although the series merely mentions the presence of 'Natives'. It absolutely doesn't show it, which is questionable due to the local Aboriginal tribes feeling the political upheaval of the British Colonists settling on their land. Aborigines now more refer to the First Fleet's colonization as an 'invasion'. I do have enough respect for screenwriter Jimmy McGovern who created this show, along with many other respectable screen writing credits. Even after developing 'Redfern Now' which focused on the lives of Aborigines in Modern Australia he would've had some sense to delve deeper into pressure of the colonist's conflicts with the Aborigines faced at the time.

However, I did really enjoy the series for what it is. If you enjoyed this I recommend 'The Timeless Land', 'The Term of His Natural Life' (1983), 'Against the Wind', 'The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant' and the more recently critically acclaimed miniseries 'The Secret River'.