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I find this show to be in the top tier of British police procedurals, which I consider the major league of the genre. I LOVE Line of Duty but it is an emotional sledgehammer compared to this show. Martin Freeman's performance provides such a layered and complex view of an anti-hero. Arguably it's not quite up to Walter White and Tony Soprano, but it's the closest we've seen in a while since trying to write an anti-hero became a diluted profession.

I usually avoid movies and shows with high critical praise but mixed audience reaction because I typically agree with the crowd. I knew and cared nothing about Shakespeare so that also almost repelled me. I am glad the first episode pulled me past my misgivings. My favorite show of all time is Breaking Bad and I like Station Eleven for the same reasons - characters, dialog, and an intricately-plotted story arc. I fell in love with Pulp Fiction's use of time shifting and intersecting stories (which was still novel in 1994), but have become tired of movies and shows that use it unnecessarily. This show uses time shifting relentlessly, but the gradual filling in of the plot really added to my enjoyment.

My biggest issue with the show is that HBO should have made all the episodes available to binge watch. It's too easy to lose the momentum of the show otherwise. If you're like me, you need to watch it through twice to get the full enjoyment. The second watch allowed me to really appreciate the writing and character development.

Lastly, don't avoid this show because it involves a pandemic, as that is just a backdrop to the stories of human vulnerability, connection, and resilience. If anything I feel uplifted by this show, even though everyday more doubtful that our society is capable of living up to the humanity portrayed.

OH MY GOD - this woman needs to read the book HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU. She tries to convince us that she is a "free woman" by choice, but it is painfully obvious she is only a free woman because the men who deign to sleep with her don't want her for anything more than sex. She spends the ENTIRE series discussing these horrendous relationships, for which she is obsessed. And she is completely remorseless when her married "lover's" wife finds out about their relationship. And she completely ignores the obvious meaning when he not only doesn't leave his wife, but virtually cuts off all contact with her. She even misses the import of her Swiss boyfriend deciding to work all day when she comes to visit him in Switzerland. It's really sad. Instead of portraying strong womanhood, she is one of the worst examples of a female's obsession to be loved and accepted by men. When will these women realize they ARE NOT any better than the women who have chosen to be in asymmetrical relationships with men but do it in a way that makes them happy.