Westwood Park

Well, I'm the first to say that I haven't been to the Caribbean, so all the arguments about how well it represents the place - I don't know. I do know that my mate from Trinidad (now in London) absolutely loved the show and when they heard it was now up on Amazon, got it and made me watch it so she could point out places she used to go to. etc. So it's good in that way, especially with the dingy weather we have here in the UK. I liked the show, okay it's silly and some of the acting is a bit off, but that's true of all soap operas and it made a nice change to see people in exotic, warm, pretty locations rather than just in the UK where they are all depressed and miserable. Looking forward to seeing some more.

Yes, the production values start off a bit dodgy, and the acting's not always spot on. But how many exciting, well written Caribbean soap operas are out there? It's got style, great locations and the twists and turns that any decent drama should have. If you want to learn about a section of Caribbean community that you never hear about, then this is the one for you! It's also great to see the faces of black, Asian, south American, mixed race, white people (and any other colour or race you can think of) all on the screen together, talking with real (and sometimes fake) Trinnie accents. I know heaps of people in London with Caribbean connections that would love this show and I will certainly be recommending it to all of them. I've heard that this is the first of quite a few seasons. So that's my Christmas present buying sorted for the next few years!

I took this brave series at face value.... a different side of the Caribbean. "Westwood Park" looks beautiful and it was refreshing to see that the upper class has it's own trials and tribulations. Anyone who says this doesn't represent Trinidad doesn't know what they're talking about and has a myopic view of the country. I especially enjoyed that unlike other shows of this ilk, series managed to stay away from the typical who's sleeping with whom themes and explored everything from politics to incest! i was happy to finally see the Caribbean represented as a complex society and not one of simply sun, sea, sand and slums. I looked at the series from beginning to end and while some of the acting left much to be desired, the overall production was exceptional and I got to see parts of the country I never knew existed. I agree that the last season was unfulfilling but still there were aspects which were outstanding and it kept me interested until the very end. Keep in mind that according to reports, this series was made under dire circumstances, I think it is a piece of our television history which must not be dismissed.

Being of Jamaican origins, I welcome the chance to view anything from the Caribbean, so when I heard about a Trini soap opera I was all over it! I found the eleven episodes that I've watched so far to be quite entertaining. I even found the fact that the cast didn't seem comfortable with each other hilarious. I also like the way the storyline takes you all over the spectrum (it's got that, "what the heck could they possibly throw at us now ingredient") which makes you wanna watch more. To put it in a nutshell, "it's Caribbean funny" and well worth a look!!!

The only way to know if this series suits your tastes is to sit and watch a few episodes. I don't think this series will be winning an Emmy, anytime soon, but I wouldn't just push it aside without a look!

As a Trinidian, I take pride in seeing my fellow countrymen attempt to do something for themselves and not depend on the Americans or Europeans. Okay, the depiction may not be on point - but hell, are all the depictions of American life on point in the many movies we see? Movies are works of fiction unless based upon true events - understand that. It's meant as a way to escape the everyday existence and enter a world of fantasy. I for one felt proud to hear the mellifluous accent of my native island on the big screen. The character development was handled well and the plot ran along the lines of any American movie of the same genre. I simply wholeheartedly salute my country's film with a heartfelt " two thumbs up".

Rep your country - Trini.