The Fall

I was looking for something to pull me in and unplug me from reality and this series definitely does that. Both of the main actors were brilliant, and while from Gillian Anderson I expected, Jamie Dornan came as a surprise. I don't know how he bounced back from playing this because you could tell he went deep into the mental state of the character, especially in the last season. The first 2 seasons are pretty similar in pace and style, in darkness and detail. The 3rd one changes all of this and although I did not perceive it as being slower as many have mentioned I did find it darker, more harrowing. Most of it is spent looking at the depth and origins of the killers actions, and in a way these feel more real than the murders themselves. Whilst his actions feel far removed from daily life the experiences that shaped him as they are revealed show how the human in him got broken and then when the finale comes it hits so much harder. It's been a roller-coaster, a captivating experience and I loved it, even if it left me shaken for a couple of hours afterwards.

Started off really good - Season 1 was pure thriller pleasure. Then Season 2 put the brakes on slowly but surely. Season 3 is a battle to get through, scenes are drawn out, far too much repetitive dialogue.

Gillian Anderson is an excellent choice as lead detective in this series about her pursuit of a serial killer. The show also follows the life of the serial killer giving the audience an inside look that is rare and quite similar to Hannibal, but less dramatic in a good way. Ironically Gillian Anderson also has a prominent role in Hannibal as his personal Psychiatrist. I wish there were more shows like this on television, but I fear that the average person is more drawn to less sophisticated programming. At times it seems a bit slow, but the characters are so interesting it really doesn't bother me at all. I have yet to notice any glaring wholes in the writing and quite honestly the filming and cinematography is excellent! I pray this show is on for many more seasons to come, often though it is this type of show with all its perfection that gets cut short... let's keep our fingers crossed... they did at least get a 2nd Season.

And note that both my nods to great crime thrillers were directed to British productions. The hunt for a serial killer gets a complicated but teeth-gnashing treatment in this beautifully produced series, The Fall. Gillian Anderson plays Stella Gibson, a focused, rather humorless, detective who takes control of the investigation once she ascertains that recent murders are indeed the work on one killer. She doesn't have to fight the battles that plagued Jane Tennyson, however. The male officers pretty much cede control and follow her lead & respect her authority and insight. But she is like Tennyson in that she's sacrificed the personal for the professional, indulging in the occasional "sweet night" to satisfy her sexual desires.

The first episode will definitely hook you. It is as creepy as anything I've seen as we watch the killer stalk his victim and commit his crime. Like the film, The Boston Strangler, we know who the killer is upfront--the thrill is in wondering if he'll succeed in thwarting the hunt. On many levels, the killer remains enigmatic through the season.

How I wish American shows--like the recently launched Hannibal--were as top-drawer as this one. Wonderful writing, good subplots, deftly drawn characters that present realistically, not cartoonishly. It's astonishing that yet another serial killer hunt series can provide a story that so skillfully hooks an audience.

One more episode to go, odd time to write a review but I just cant wait to express how good this show is.

I love detective stories, and have grown to accept a certain number of stereotypes if the plotting is good, it seems to go with the territory.

Not here though. The writing is fantastic, the tough old duffer cops show emotion, the strong female lead is a strong woman with dimensions slowly emerging as the series evolves. Without unrealistically ignoring the sorts of prejudice extant in our society the writing avoids her being a typical 'ballbuster' and allows her to develop meaningful relationships and respect among her colleagues.

The anti hero is fantastically normal and so much more menacing for this, especially outside of the killing 'events'.

The plotting is pacey and involving, the series has become more gripping with each episode. Fingers crossed for the denouement. I have very high hopes.