Mary Vasilakakos

The Aussies do it best. Soap opera material lifted to a higher realm through impeccable production values and superb ensemble acting to knock the socks off the best BBC productions. Superb natural acting, no Hollywood histrionics here masquerading as thespian art, understated and to the point. The plotlines are potentially predictable and melodramatic, but the nuanced acting fleshes out the characters beautifully, and the editing creates a cracking pace. The best thing about it is that potential cliches are totally avoided through a number of counterpoints that develop over the seasons. The young woman married off to a closet homosexual to preserve his family's reputation discovers a deep kind of love for the husband that breaks dramatic and narrative boundaries. There are genuine deep friendships between men and women in the most unlikely places functioning totally outside the usual romantic screen pairings. Above all the show's qualities are embodied in and exemplified by the role of the matriarch, acting out of both misguided social proprieties and genuine maternal love, and discovering herself and the meaning of her actions in later life. This is no calcified old lady role but a surprisingly dynamic character with points and counterpoints that are addictive viewing. The spectacular Noni Hazelhurst is off the scale here, she carries the show singlehandedly, a look and a facial expression conveying oceans of nuance and meaning. It's an unbelievable scintillating performance from one of Australia's quiet thespian achievers. Deeply satisfying viewing on all levels. Extraordinary work all round.

I only watch 60 Minutes occasionally but I made a point of watching the report on Boeing tonight, Sun 5 May. Liz Hayes should receive the Walkley Award for this program. She did an outstanding job, balancing the technical issues of the plane crashes, the legal and ethical culpabilities of Boeing, and the human devastation issues on the victims' families. She interviewed the technical experts with abundant knowledge, having obviously done excellent preparation of the subject, and the victims' families with sensitivity and compassion. Not a shred of sensationalism. Bravo Liz, tonight was a masterclass even for your seasoned and senior talents.