The Game

Catch You Later or in the U. S., The Game, isn't brilliant TV. It's a rather derivative cat and mouse thriller that doesn't have much new to say. There are performances though that really elevate this tired material: Robson Green, a longtime favorite actor of mine, is appropriately reptilian and charming when he needs to be. It is bonkers though, that the neighborhood group don't clue in sooner, the one exception being Sunetra Sarker as Huw Miller's wife.

By turns, she is angry, frustrated, tired, ultimately loyal and very strong in defense of Huw, seasoned enough to intuit a predator in their midst. It's a performance that works on several levels of believability and ultimately satisfying.

Which brings me to the incredible performance of Jason Watkins, who I bet I've seen in many a British movie/TV show but just don't remember. He gives a full bodied, fleshed out performance of a man obsessed with the one that got away, his white whale. And all his selfishness, determination, frustrations, anger and near hysteria at times, filtered through such human ticks, to get this killer off the streets burns through you. I thought he was just magnificent.

The show isn't required viewing, but if you're an actor, you can learn a lot by just sitting back and watching Jason Watkins work.

I am a big fan of both leads however this drama was very disappointing due to the poorly written script. Predictable, pedantic & not worthy of the actors involved.

That being said, if you need something to watch, there are many worse programs than this one! The last half hour watching the two leads almost made it worthwhile!

I don't know why Channel 5 can't come up with more interesting programming.

When I think of all the excellent British programming I'm confused as to where they are getting their writers. They obviously have no problem in attracting excellent actors. Are they running out of money when searching for stories?

Yet another series reviewed all within 48 hours stating the best thing on TV ever.

Seriously you need to watch this garbage, purely to figure out how notable actors and actresses ( is that word allowed ) agreed to appear in this. Money, pure & simple. Great cast, shocking script, dialogue etc etc etc. I guarantee you'll say OFFS at least 5 times in episodes 2, 3 & 4.

Spoon fed dialogue to explain the obvious, ridiculous plot and even worse screaminginly ridiculous scenes that not even a simpleton would follow. Or maybe that's the state of TV when we have 500 channels following people doing their jobs, cleaning houses or Joel Dommet. Watch Playing Nice, Sixth Commandment or even a blank screen. Honestly it's better than this absolute sh@/@

Detective Huw Miller retires from The Force, with one unsolved crime, The Ripton Stalker, a killer with a disturbing M. O. Huw's friend and neighbour dies and Patrick Harbottle moves in, a man Huw begins to think is The Stalker, but suggestions of it are met with ridicule.

I loved it, yes dramas from Channel Five can be a little hit and miss, but this is definitely a hit. I also have to applaud this for being four episodes long, I'm getting so fed up with six part serials.

It's a hugely engaging game of cat and mouse, we have two big questions running through it, is Huw crazy, is Patrick the stalker, it's such an engaging series.

It's beautifully produced, it looks fantastic, once again Channel Five film outside of The UK and whilst it looks like old England, it's actually Bilbao, the bricks just don't look right and lots of the long shots are out of focus.

Jason Watkins and Robson Green are both flawless here, they share some wonderful scenes together, two hugely talented actors. Honourable mentions for Sunetra Sarker and Indy Lewis, all excellent.

It's an excellent watch.

8/10.

In many ways this show is a waste of a great cast. The script feels like it was written by a group of people brain storming while eating lunch. The plot has more holes than a cheese grater. It has coincidence upon coincidence. The person responsible for the crimes is so loopy it's hard to believe he wouldn't have been caught by now. He seems to be able to appear and disappear more adeptly than the invisible man.

The only reason I'm persisting with it is the cast and I'm waiting to see what preposterous plot line they'll come up with next. Some of the actions of the main character are hard to forgive. He doesn't exactly endear himself to you.