The Widow

Watched it straight through while home sick with a virus going around. The Widow is not great, but is good and very enjoyable. I liked the actors and their characters, the themes about what is happening to the people of Africa due to greed, and the pacing. However, there are plot holes in places, and the ending seems rushed. And this is Africa but no wildlife? Bizarre. Still, the series was good company for a sick watcher and helped me get through.

As with many of the other reviewers. I was completely enthralled from episode 1 until the end of 6. Then episode 7 starts and I immediately began to feel the let down. By the time episode 8 hits I'm left asking myself "really is this it"? This show had so much potential but it sputtered at the end.

First off, yes, Kate Beckinsale's Botoxed lips are noticeable but not all that distracting. If you knew what she look like without them (lovely), then you wonder "WHY?". If not, it's not a big deal. I loved the premise, the scenery is lovely, the supporting performances pretty strong, and the plot engaging enough. I like a couple of the sub-plots involving sympathetic (if complex) secondary characters. They don't seem extraneous to me, just a welcome distraction. There is enough tension to keep me worried....but never for too long. Unfortunately, she takes risks without seeming to break a sweat that just stretch credulity too much. She puts others in danger, which is one of my major pet peeves with action shows or those involving revenge and single-minded quests. I think Beckinsale's acting is pretty good, but her character is underdeveloped in a lot of ways. She is supposed to be psychologically damaged and complex and twisted but she never seems multi-dimensional enough to make it work. Still, it's decent watch. I'm not sure they need another season though.

In spite of what a lot of other people say, I thought it was excellently made with a lot of twists & turns. It's about a widow, Kate, who thinks she sees her husband in a clip on the news who has been reported dead for 3 yrs but body never found. She goes on a quest to see if he is possibly alive & exactly what happened. Nothing is what it seems, her life is put in danger along w/friends who help in her quest for the truth. I figured out several conspiracies but the show keep me intrigued as you discover the corrupt agendas of the govt & people involved as the story plays out. You also see the deplorable side of the Congo rebels or milita killing innocents while they kidnap the children training them to be killers for their cause or just be the hired help. It's a suspenseful journey for truth & justice not just for the widow but for the oppressed!

I really can't understand why people got hung up on her appearance. First of all she still looks beautiful. Secondly it is an excellent show with a lot of beautiful imagery. I definitely do think it flips and flops back-and-forth way too much regarding the time sequences. I also think that it leaves a lot of "hanging chads" . Several doors get opened that never get answered. This is a definite weakness of the show. Yet it does involve you in the characters lives and definitely holds your interest. I will not spew out all the plot details. My overriding thought and sentiment is that it is a show worth watching with a good performances and beautiful scenery. Give it a shot.