Secret City

My Review- Secret City 8:10

Right from beginning the impressive title credits , which I think not by accident reminded me of House of Cards I was hooked . The camera sweeps over our National Capital Canberra to a suspenseful dramatic soundtrack by composer David Bridie and gives the impression that there's a Political swamp needing to be drained under its impressive monuments.

Watching Anna Torv as Ace Canberra news reporter and main star Harriet Dunkley I was struck by her resemblance and style ,so similar to Cate Blanchette , Anna Torv owns this role and continues to impress in her role as investigative journalist Harriet Dunkley.

Jackie Weaver is outstanding as usual in the role of Catriona Bailey the Attorney General and powerbroker in a role spookily reminiscent of a certain ex Policeman and now one of the most powerful ministers this country has ever known. The thrilling action and intrigue in Secret City can hold its own worldwide and is a worthy match for similar overseas series like House of Cards .

Series 2 Under the Eagle I've just started to watch on Foxtel and although under new direction seems to keep up the standard so far.

Amusingly it begins with a brand new charismatic Prime Minister Ewan Garrity 2 years later replacing Alan Dale as Prime Minister Martin Toohey in Series One .

Logie Award winning actor Don Hany (Ali's Wedding, Tangle) plays new Australian Prime Minister Ewan Garrity. This seemed very appropriate as Australia has had so many Prime Ministers recently and this series also has a Jacque Lambi inspired character in Danielle Cormack as Karen Koutoufides, Independent MP for Wakefield, South Australia.

This is a really impressive series

Just binge-watched Season 1 in 2018. Was a little slow to start but much plausible manipulation and we are currently facing an Australian bipartisan attempt to put the through legislation that's as scary as anything in this thriller.

This is the best Australian TV show I have ever watched. The lies and Corruption by those who govern us. One could see this being based on a true story, or at least a story that is no doubt commonplace throughout the world we live in. Magnificently written, well acted by a great cast. Very important to watch carefully to follow and understand the plot, with twists and turns at every unexpected corner. The people aren't the people you think they are, well, most of them and is that not the place in the real world of politics. It reminds me of America or at least what goes on over there from what I have read. Whilst some may consider it a bit slow I would say to them "all good things take time". My hope is that the show continues for many years. The person, who wrote this has more of an understanding of the real world than most so I expect more and more twists and turns to come in the second series. This is a show I could watch everyday.

This series has wonderful acting, great locations, and a deliciously complicated script that may put off some people. What may be best about the series is that you can never tell when a major character is going to be bumped off, or who did it. That's so unusual on TV (or in films) that a writer and cast brave enough to do this has to be saluted. It's also great that they were able to come up with two very different scripts for the two seasons. They both involve the reporter as the central character and there are a few hold-overs, but the scripts are very different making the show even more entertaining. I can only hope they have a third season. This type of quality TV is very rare.

If you expect political intrigue as in "House of Cards", treason, espionage, as in "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", dark hints on the geopolitical evolution of the world (USA, China, and the rest of the world), then this is the show to watch. Ah, and a it has the realism that is somewhat lacking (lately) in "Homeland". Also, it has some intellectual references, as well, which is rarely seen in the nowadays cinema (be it TV, even!). A good cast. Anna Torv is convincing, and her complex character reminds me of Claire Dane's "Carrie Mathison". Even smaller roles are played wonderfully by each of the actors.

As it happens, I've recently seen some new Australian movies and now, this show. And all I can say is: Bravo!. I am grateful to all the Australian cinema.

I just hope the show will continue with (at least) one more season. We, the public, deserve it!