The Delaneys

Stan Delaney (Sam Neill) and Joy Delaney (Annette Bening.) One day on the way to the supermarket, Joy disappears and Stan seem not that bothered.

Their four adult children seem to be more concerned about Joy's disappearance. Logan becomes suspicious of Savannah, a young woman who showed up at their house one evening. She was physically assaulted by her boyfriend.

The children try to trace their mother's steps. Wondering if their parents had a perfect marriage.

With Sam Neill playing the dad, an ex pro tennis player. It really was a no to a happy marriage. He can be both competitive and aggressive towards his family.

Based on a novel by Liane Moriarty. It failed to ignite my interest. The acting was good, it was bound to be with Neill and Bening involved. The rest was decidedly average. The epitome of a show to have in the background and the script is at fault.

Joy and Stan Delaney appear to have the perfect life on the surface. Stan sits at the top of a tennis empire, having had a good career and now running a successful academy, all is not as it seems however, and when Joy disappears, Detectives are called in at the behest of their four children.

I think it's fair to say that this is going to be something of a slow burner, there's enough content here to keep my interest, and the seeds are definitely sewn, but its a slow start.

Savannah interests me, I'm keen to know exactly what had game is, now way did she just happen to stumble across their home, a journalist?

It benefits greatly from the presence of Sam Neill, he's a class act.

6/10.

So so disappointing.

It starts off as a typical made for TV schmaltzy all-american family story, and i nearly turned off. But i thought hang on, this is Sam Neil and Annette Bening, surely there's some depth to this.

And in part there was...the young interloper adds an interesting twist to what is essentially a pretty basic storyline. The sub-plots with the eldest son and the kooky daughter are quite interesting. There were a couple of minor laughs. The music is also generally very good and atmospheric

However the script is awful, and so ultimately therefore is the acting. Sam and Annette, why did you agree to make this, and why did you not re-write some of the dialogue?

You will suspect the obvious ending after 3 episodes, but hope theres a really good twist. But there isnt.

I must also warn you, near the end there's also a grating and vomit-inducing paeon to the martyrish role of mothers. Which is surprising because IMHO in this story the mother has actually been the most selfish/manipulative person.

So in summary some schmaltz, then a bit interesting, then back to really schmaltzy. Really i should have turned it off at the beginning.