Strangers

If ever a series got huge advertising, this was it, Cinema, TV, online, wherever you looked, it was visible. For good reason, it was clearly big budget drama.

It starts off well, the first few episodes are intriguing, good characters, and a deep level of intrigue. Sadly, because it's an eight part serial, there comes a midpoint lull, and it does suffer from being padded. Plenty of scenes of Jonah walking through the streets of Hong Kong doing very little.

Fortunately from episode six onwards, the show gains real momentum, and truly delivers some excellent moments.

I love the Hong Kong setting, the buildings are incredible, and it's nice to see something a little different. John Simm is superb throughout, supported well by Tim McInnerny, Emilia Fox, and Anthony Hayes in particular.

In summary, great location work, plenty of intrigue, but it does suffer from being too long. 8/10

A quiet thriller, reminded me of Alec Guinness as George Smiley. Lots of threads gently woven together. Mistakes made by the characters added to the story. An ordinary man caught up in extraordinary circumstances. The David Chen character gentle desperate and sad to understand Megan, his whole life turned upside down by her death and the appearance of an englishman. A daughter who never really knew her Mother who had loved her but hidden so much from her Chinese family.

Life does not unfold in 98 minutes, the length of a movie on average. This drama takes its time and allows you to absorb the story and the city of Hong Kong.

Having been there recently I especially liked the difficulty they had with taxi drivers. Everyone does and gives up and uses the fine public transportation system.

Made prior to today's weekend protests one can see that there is great distrust with the government and police. It is in the series and it is true.

Take the time. The acting is top notch. The story takes unusual turns. Get patience with your entertainment and give it a chance. You will not regret it.

The shots/scenery of Hong Kong from the sea-view to the unusual perspectives of apartment high-rises are just two of the reasons this show kept me enthralled. Sure, the main character took risks that I'm not sure the average Joe or Jane would take, but his pursuit of the truth about his wife gave credence to his semi-stupid mistakes. Unlike a previous reviewer, I did not find the pace slow...it seemed driven to me, and I always wanted to see what happened next. I found the show well done and easy to watch.

I liked this show and found it captivating. The writing was lacking at times and like another reviewer felt the handing over of cell phone in scene 2 was not realistic and far fetched. This show has the potential, with better writing, to be really good.