The Jetty

Whenever I come to IMDB to see user reviews about a show that says important things about the lives of women, I'm always stunned to see the low ratings that show has received.

Every single time.

It's a great production with excellent acting. The story is good. It says things about women's lives that are not comfortable for men to acknowledge. And many women will take issue with it too, because that's what we do to ourselves. But the things it says are things that are obviously true, and in The Jetty, they are well presented in an absorbing story.

To the creators: well done, and sorry this series will never get the rating it deserves. Maybe if you put a superhero into it?

The opening drone shot across the lake is just gorgeous and sets up this 4-parter as being set in a postcard-like place with lots of dark things actually happening there.

There's a missing girl cold case, there is a possible underage pregnancy, there's a guy who likes hanging around younger girls and plenty of the local guys who hang at the bar are just plain creepy.

Jenna Coleman (Ember) is great and has some great comic lines in scenes with Archie Renaux (Hitch), as her sidekick, with Ruby Stokes (Hannah), her daughter and Amelia Bulmore (Sylvia), as her mum. These were the bits I liked best because they gave a bit of light relief from the darkness that much of the story was based on. Nevertheless, while there were lots of plot twists and some very surprising reveals, there was a lot going on and it took a lot to follow the show at times. I did though and was glad I made it to the end because that last twist - WOW!

This looks like a good drama, but it doesn't sound like one. A combination of mumbling, muddy sound production and overbearing soundtrack make most of the dialogue unintelligible. This is a common complaint but it needs to be made. Otherwise, what's the point? Can't see any comparisons with Happy Valley. They're both in Lancashire, full stop. The flashback sequences were obscure to begin with although this makes for an interesting plot element. Plot and character are ok (I think) but foregrounding issues doesn't work if you can't make out what the characters are saying. Ember is an unconvincing lead and her dialogue is rushed as well as whispered.

This series started well. Jenna Coleman is a terrific actress. Some of the sub plots were too dark, also slightly confusing. I felt there was no need for some of the scenes as they did not add to the story. There was suspense and good acting and the makings of a good story. There were simply too many side issues going on. I realise they build around the main story however they also distracted from it. When it got to the last episode, it was drawn out way too long. It got to the stage that I was wishing it would get to the chase and just end. I found that, when it finished, I was wondering what the heck did I just watch?

I watched all the episodes in one night as it did reel me in, however, there were instances that didn't make sense. For example, the flashbacks made it seem like they were in 80's as opposed to the early 2000's, the whole seance situations with Ember's Mum were weird and not relevant. And the horse scene!! Really unnecessary!

The biggest part of the series that didn't make sense, and I'd consider a big plot hole, is the fact that no one who Ember worked with connected her to Malachy even though they were married and he'd only died the year before! How is that even possible?! Still worth a watch though.