Sherwood

The first series of Sherwood was excellent, but unfortunately the second one is not up to the same standard.

It's set in the same part of the country, but much closer to the present day, dealing with more current issues.

One problem with it is that (unlike the first series) there's no mystery. It's not a whodunnit. The gruesome murders are shown in full so you know who killed who.

The second problem is that many aspects of the story just aren't plausible. The behaviour of the characters is not consistent, especially the young woman who goes along with something that she would never do in episode 2. Also there's a bizarre coincidence that the hunter and the hunted just happen to go to the same place and even the same cafe on the same day. And suppose the police wanted to hide away two black people somewhere that they would blend in and not be noticed, where would they place them? Rural Lincolnshire?? There's an unexpected twist at the end of episode 2, but again it's ridiculously unbelievable, so at that point I gave up.

Despite all this, the performances are brilliant, from all the cast. If you think of Monica Dolan as the comical cuddly Welsh lady from W1A, then I'm not being funny or anything, but her character in Sherwood will come as quite a shock.

Inspired by real events this timely new drama series is set in present day Nottinghamshire where a murder seemingly has links to the miners strike of 1984 and the divisions in the local community it provoked.

This was an accomplished piece of television with everybody involved in front of and behind camera on song. Good production values all round, a great assembly of Northern acting talent old and new and a special mention for the brilliant script by James Graham.

Loved it from first to last. Congrats to all involved in making this, its a truly wonderful piece of drama that rings true.

With one of the greatest TV casts put together since State of Play, this series promised to be interesting. But the first episode has surpassed my hopes -- the essential background to this drama is brilliantly sketched as we are introduced to the large range of characters, and it is beautifully written, shot and performed. It was so gripping I watched it twice, not wanting to let it go, and counting down the hours to tomorrow night. If it is half as good, the week between episodes 2 and 3 will seem an eternity.

We need much, much more drama like this.

The first season was pretty solid, had decent writing and interesting characters, portrayed by lots of good actors. But the second season felt inferior in most ways, and by the two last episodes, I was glad this series ended when it did. Like so many similar crime/drama mini-series these days, what promises to be entertaining, intelligent and quite believable, gets bogged down by too many side stories and similar endings that remind one of any soap opera we're familiar with. Hugely disappointing turn of events by the last few episodes, and despite a very strong performance by Mr. Morrissey, the characters became caricatures of themselves. Not sure if the writers were the same for both seasons, but am glad there is no 3rd season to endure. Lots of loose ends, improbable scenarios (a vulnerable female who is left in the care of 3 unknown males for one), and unresolved crimes only added to the relief that this was just fiction. Apparently based on a real-life community of the author, I can only hope it was very loosely based on reality.

The small town of Sherwood is rocked when one of its own is killed by an unknown bowman in the small hours.

Compelling drama this, every now and then a drama comes along and grabs you, it intrigued, tantalises and immerses you, Broadchurch, Line of Duty, and a few others, Sherwood is very close to being on par with them.

Great storytelling, a powerful scenario, being someone that had coal miners in the family, those divisions are real, and still felt all these years later, the way in which they captured that feeling, incredible.

The acting, sublime, a raft of Britain's best appear here, David Morrissey, Robert Glenister, Claire Holman are all great. Worth watching for the masterclass from Adeel Akhtar, he is astonishing.

Powerful, emotive, captivating, Part five is flawless. I'm surprised that a second series has been commissioned, but why not, hopefully it will be the same standard as the first.

Great viewing, 9/10.