Scrublands

This is excellent Aussie tv, the book is extremely complex, however, the story is so magnificent I would have liked it to not deviate as much as it did. The changes are so very significent that for me, having read the book, which was awesome, I would have liked them to stick to it in a shortened version and not change the storyline as much as they did. The acting by all was terrific, and the location is an actual town in Victoria. It needed, in my opinion, to have two more episodes to flesh out the back stories, which are written as a true masterpiece by an outstanding Australian writer. The second book about the main character is also awesome and would make a great follow up.

I don't normally like Aussie series - always the same rough diamond low IQ characters in the country with heavy accents making us all look like a bunch of uneducated yokels. Yes...sigh...this had the usual bogan characters but it was a good story that held my interest until the end.

The lead characters, Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcoate and Jay Ryan did a terrific job but there could have been more of the dishy priest played by Jay Ryan..but oh well. All three characters had good chemistry with each other.

Have to say there have been some good Aussie mystery thrillers and I hope they can keep it up, The Kettering Incident comes to mind. But yes please stop with the bogan characters, it's tiresome.

I was hesitant to watch initially as I thought it would be more of the same same.

However it was actually refreshing to see some new quality Australian content. Full of twists, great character development and packs a great punch in 4 small episodes. As typical with Aussie series there is 5-10 micro moments that are super cheesy and woeful cgi, but the great story and acting more than makes up for these minor blemishes.

Definitely worth the 2-3 hours to watch and even if you are not a fan of Luke Arnold (Black Sails, INXS) there is still plenty of great smaller characters that blend together in this tale.

This Australian series open in a remote town in Victoria. We see Byron Swift, a priest, talking to his congregants outside his church. He goes inside, returns holding a rifle and shoots five men before being killed by the local policeman. One year later journalist Martin Scarsden heads to town; he has been tasked with writing a 'puff piece' about how the townspeople are coping a year on. The story was that the priest went on the rampage after child abuse allegations were made against him so Martin is more than a little surprised when plenty of people defend his character... perhaps there is more to the story than was initially reported.

I thought this was a really good little series. At four episodes it didn't outstay its welcome but similarly didn't feel rushed. The opening scenes immediately grabs ones attention and further revelations keep one gripped. The use of flashbacks throughout the series shows key details of what happened and means Byron Swift becomes a fully fleshed out character rather than a mysterious figure only seen in the prologue. The location is impressive; it may be very open but there is a claustrophobic feel due to its isolation. The cast does a fine job; most obviously Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote and Jay Ryan as Martin, Mandy, a woman who knew Byron well, and Byron. The conclusion is solid; being neither too obvious nor too surprising. Overall an impressive mystery that I'd recommend to fans of the genre.

There are four episodes. The first two are engaging and well done. Then we have to clear up the mysteries. Things start to become more formulaic. Then episode 4 becomes very formulaic, and seems to feel obliged to sew everything up.

So my feeling about this series is that it begins well, sucks you in, actors are convincing. But, I was ready for some more original evolution because the beginning was done so well. Rather than pat us on the head and then tie things up neatly, I think we could be left with having accomplished much, but need not have ladled on the syrup as episode 4 wound up.

My take: watch the beginning with pleasure, but feel ready to fast forward as the end nears.