Crownies

Oh my lord, someone get me a bucket, I have watched whirlwind TV episodes before, but nothing like this, jeez!! Five minutes in I was asking why I was watching the show, then at 8 minutes it had a reprieve with a promising storyline, only for that to be shelved so it could explore people and characters, why?!? This has an 11 episode run, why show me in 30 minutes every character (of which there are many for a small show) without any just cause or reason, except because it wants to.

Pilot episodes should be succinct, they should be small and if an appearance is necessary, it should be seconds not minutes (unless a lead of course) with impact, if it can wait till a later episode, then even better. They should punch there weight, it should be gripping and to the point, it should have a promising storyline, with a let down, then a recovery....Textbook script!! This does none of that, it settles in the first 10 minutes on exploring what the place is and what they do, major error!! I know what a lawyers office does, I have seen many shows and even been in a few!! Not shows, but Lawyer offices!! This is just wrong, I hate to slate Australians, but of all the TV shows I have seen recently, this is typical, there is no decent storyline, it feels like they have taken a storyline, then added there own story around it, very disappointing and not a show I would watch to the end or recommend.

Avoid this show and see it done properly, watch 'suits', great acting, good comedy and strong scripts, you could even say textbook!! If your looking for more comedy, try 'The Defenders'!

'Crownies' is an Australian legal drama mainly centering on five young solicitors who juggle difficult cases alongside their love lives and friendships.

Crownies is the first introduction to the characters that later appear in 3 seasons of 'Janet King', a spin off more along the genre of legal thriller. However I did see the shows out of order, watching Janet King first, and found that watching it this way didn't effect the story too much, but it did offer a chance to reflect on how far the characters develop from the start of their careers in Crownies, compared to as they gain experience and confidence in Janet King.

Crownies flips in tone from light hearted banter, emphasis on the character's love lives and then difficult cases that tug at the heartstrings. Despite this unevenness in tone, the characters are all intriguing and viewers will likely connect with one, if not all of them. For me, I found the scenes between a hapless Richard and Judge Walker particularly entertaining, along with the bromance between Ben and Richard and the tight friendships between Lina and Erin and Tatum and Richard.

While definitely in a different realm to its successor, Crownies does start off weak, but builds in drama and sustenance over the course of the season. Don't write this show off, it sets up things nicely for Janet King.

I never noticed but last few years Australia and New Zealand make some very good drama's too many list but never been disappointed yet.

It's early days, but this series (which the ABC seems to have made a lengthy commitment to) has started fairly well. Whether you enjoy it or not will probably depend on how interesting you find competitive, habitually successful young people who approach almost everything in terms of words and arguments.

Standout performances come from Andrea Demetriades, Jeanette Cronin, Ella Scott Lynch and the fantastic Marta Dusseldorp. Aside from a few dodgy extras, all the cast are good. And with any luck as the series goes on, the writers will trust them (and the audience) with dialogue and character developments that are a bit more three-dimensional.

Unlike the OP I found this series to be fresh, crisp and modern. having worked in a similar setting I found it to be quite realistic. The acting by quite a young cast is well executed and the story line believable. There are interesting plot lines both professional and personal an the character development is being flushed out nicely.

Admittedly some of the extras were a bit lacking but on the whole I feel that this as the show progresses it will only improve. After some of the rubbish we have been receiving from the U.S. I think this will give them a run for their money. it was a refreshing change from the all too familiar offing's from overseas and even from here in the past.

I look forward to seeing how the series pans out and hope others will at least give it a go.