The Castaways

Whilst looking for something to binge I stumbled across The Castaways. The plot looked interesting, so I thought I would give it a go.

The first episode is interesting, even the second. However, then things just get a little too 'out there' for me. Maybe convoluted is the better term of expression.

You start to feel invested in the characters, then something happens and you are like oh okay, but it is not in a good way, it feels like the director/author has just thrown everything at the screen hoping it will stick. You start to dislike everyone involved and I battled to watch the end. Shame.

Sisters Lori and Erin enjoy a holiday of a lifetime, however a falling out sees Erin left behind as Lori boards a flight, a flight that disappears, crashing down on a remote island. Erin refused

This drama doesn't deserve the criticism it's been receiving, it's far from perfect, but if you want a couple of hours of escapism, excitement and intrigue, then this will definitely keep you entertained.

There's a mystery, there's tension, there are multiple scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat, just know what you're getting, and don't expect reality.

At times it feels as though you're watching Lost, a group is individuals, who crash down on a remote island, but fortunately it runs for just five episodes long, not 100 plus.

I watched it for one reason, the presence of Sheridan Smith, and of course she's excellent, but I'm also going to applaud Celine Buckens, who's great as Erin.

7/10.

I stumbled upon the book and finished reading it a couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed it. So when I got the Christmas radio times and stumbled across the interview with Sheridan I was quite excited to learn that a tv series was launching Boxing Day and had high hopes for it.... Unfortunately, It's badly written, badly directed and has deviated away from the original story line; huge mistake! I'm pretty shocked that the talented Sheridan Smith took this one on. I can only assume that she owed someone a favour or lost a bet when accepting the part. Not at all worth viewing. I lost count at the amount of times I had to flick my eyes back to the front of my head. It's utter crap!

Episode 1 is nothing to write home about and if I'm honest, and it wasn't Easter, I would not have watched any further. As it is, I found myself starting to watch episode 2 in the hope that this would get better. I mean, who doesn't like a good old fashioned marooned on a desert island story, especially when it has characters who survive a plane crash! Background stories were vaguely interesting but didn't really add much to the plot. There are a few annoying scenes when one thinks for heavens sake, you're on an island and need to be in survival mode and not rock the boat the more you find out about your fellow survivors.

Anyway, it didn't get any better but I found myself watching it all.

If you have nothing better to do and appreciate Sheridan Smith (even though I did find her annoying in a couple of scenes, but overall, terrific actress), maybe you'll like it more than the 6 stars I gave it - which was being generous!

Lori (Sheridan Smith) and Erin Holme (Celine Buckens) are close-knitted sisters on vacation to Fuji. Erin does not make it on the plane after a fight. The plane goes missing. It's months later and everybody is assumed dead. The only one holding out hope is Erin. She is certain that they survived and are stranded somewhere. Nobody believes her. Then she finds evidence to support her view.

Ever since Lost, plane crash stories have become almost a genre to its own. This one puts a bit of a mystery spin to the concept within a limited series. It's an interesting idea and a lower level British show. Some of plot elements are rather outlandish and unfinished. I don't mind Celine Buckens and her obsessive pursuit. The island situation reminds me of many other Lost copies. What the island really needs is an opening murder to heighten the tension. I may have given this a better rating but the last episode really drags on and on. They could cut two thirds of that finale.