Taken Down

African refugees are housed in a Direct Provision Centre in (or near) Dublin, Republic of Ireland. In this series we are mostly focused on the death of a young Nigerian woman w/subplots of sex trafficking, and general individual & societal adjustments surrounding immigrants. Acting quite good; dialogue intelligent; usual twists & personalities found in crime series. Somewhat creative/different take on crime. Police personalities run the usual range. Police forensics investigations were good. Ending left a bit inconclusive leaving open a possible season 2.

While I agree that this production could use a bit of tightening up, the acting is excellent with special attention to the two leads roles, Abeni and Jen. There is a problem with European countries absorption of asylum seekers but this series takes the time of the agonies experienced by the immigrants that caused them to leave their native countries and the challenges faced by them in their adopted home. We first meet Abeni when she lands on the coast of Italy. Her husband died from chemical burns on board the boat and she must now face an uncertain future as she raises her two sons and try her best to provide for them and keep them out of trouble. Crime and corruption are always a danger. I stuck with it and I'm glad I did.

I suspect many other reviewers are a little impatient and wanting more cheer in their viewing. So be it. But for this family, this gritty Irish production rewarded us for our patience and acceptance of some pretty confronting activity in the lives of vulnerable people trying to assimilate into a new country. Yes, it's heartbreaking in places. And yes, the frustration of the police seemed a little too real at times. But this is one fine, fine production, with tight scripting, beautifully poignant human moments amongst the filth, and believable characters. Well done to the production team. Sometimes art reflects life more than some can accept.

It made me laugh, to see how many people used the word "Slow" in their reviews here on IMDb.

Really? "Slow" is hardly the word for it. "Slow" applied to this series is a candy-coated euphemism if ever there was one.

I've watched plenty of slow-paced Brit Crime Drama and, believe me when I tell you----------- **those** were like watching Usain Bolt run the 100m compared to this oozingly, sluggishly, painfully drawn-out masterpiece of enervation.

That said, it does have its redeeming qualities. Or-----it must have. I am still watching it. Still in its grip, waiting to see if, in this century, the baddies get their comeuppance. I hope I live long enough.

Just finished episode 6 of Season One.

This COULD have been excellent but it just drags on. The police seem like dimwit dullards. The bad guys do better surveillance on the cops than vice versa. The plight of immigrants and refugees, especially female, is horrific to watch. Even more horrific though is the disappointment of this slow mo Irish crime series. Coulda been a contender... I love UK crime dramas because I can't predict everything but this one I predicted every chatacter's next move. I also predict.... no season two.