Patricia Thurley

What an inspiration. A script with psychological depth and humour. Don't go to 1973 for political correctness but for the sheer joy of freewheeling wide boy policing. Philip Glenister is a brilliant hard-headed DCI whilst John Simm is a perfect 2006 foil. Brilliant dramatic conceit placing Simm's character in a different cultural era. But all the actors play their parts very well, including the wonderful barman at the coppers local.

Reads fluently, probably an excellent translation, and the graphic dark opening of the story draws one in, and raises expectations. The characters Cardell (the Watchman) and Winge (the Wolf) are intriguing. Already one is aware that there will be no compromises in the tone of this narrative, it will be brutal and hard hitting. Still, one continues until the brutality becomes too much and there is a strong element of sadism. This is an extremely perverse narrative and if one is hoping for redemption at the denouement the reader will be disappointed.

On the positive side the cinematography was impressive; the landscape of the NZ backdrop was darkly beautiful. The filming generally was impressive. The story was much less than impressive. Broody, angst-ridden characters with little to say but much baggage to 'emote', failed to draw the viewer into the, apparently, tortuous world of the family of ranchers. It was indulgent and pretentious. The saying comes to mind: the triumph of style over substance.

Thank you Bulgaria for introducing us to such stunning scenery - but not only that, to a drama series that is essentially not about killing but about the characters involved and their relationships to each other. They have presence, and depth. And also to the unfolding plot. The writing is excellent and the characters are complex. The dialogue has some wonderful ironic and satirical undertones, especially with Pope. But Filip, Mia, Chanov, etc all come across as people with 'history' and they are certainly three-dimensional. The series, as a whole, has been produced expertly: all members of the teams should be congratulated - obviously the writer, director, lighting director, etc. Well done to all.

Cacciatore was first class in all respects: script, cast, photography, and just the telling of an extraordinary and powerful story. What brave people opposed the Mafia following the killing of Prosecutors Falcone and Borsalino. Unlike our own home-produced drama productions which skate across the surface of cop-procedural scripts, Walter Presents gives us dramas which probe beneath the surface and delve deep into the psyche of the characters.

Brilliant. What an amazing concept, one that subsequently came to pass. Actor Volodymyr Zelensky takes the role of Goloborodko, the schoolteacher who becomes President. Why? He understands why the country is suffering: because of the corruption endemic in the political system and the oligarchs who are running it. This series should not be missed. It is an honest political satire on the underbelly of Ukrainian politics of that time. It can be extremely funny. And, a point, the opening theme song is beautiful.