I had high hopes for this mini series based on the premise and the actors but it fell way below the mark for me. The script was rather dull and predictable and the actors all seemed to lack luster.
The lead actress is better in comedic situations. I loved her in "Two Pints Of Lager.." but here she looked bad with her dark pixie haircut, bad make-up and total lack of expression.
I blame the director, editor and camera person for the poor choices they made that contributed to this being an average piece of work.
The script could have been reduced to either a TV movie or a two part mini series. There were too many red herrings and subplots (hate to even call them that) that went nowhere and slowed down the pace. The dialogue was often ridiculous.
One of my biggest gripes was the shots chosen. Either the director or the DP instructed the camera person to shoot the most mismatched, ridiculous 'fancy' angles and what I call 'indulgent shots'. Of course the editing made it much worse as happens. But when I start noticing the chosen camera shot just because they are trying to show that they 'can" I get immediately frustrated. This show was full of them unfortunately.
All the acting was mediocre, including Douglas Henshaw who I think (like the lead in "Murdoch Mysteries") was perfectly cast in "Shetland" but isn't a particularly good actor in anything else. He always acts the exact same expressionless way and is boring.
At least they were all consistently a mediocre ensemble so no-one stood out in the bunch. I kept getting the impression they didn't want to be there. Some of the writing was good and I did enjoy all the twists in the final episode which is why I awarded it 5 stars.
What I found most annoying and inappropriate was Ms Sheridan's wimpy demeanor. She was supposed to be a good beat cop but from the very beginning she acted weak, insecure and vulnerable. More so than any ordinary woman. She clung to her 'boyfriend' at every turn and gazed up at him appreciatively when he'd step in to help her out or have a clever thought. She also was simply unlikeable. The idea of her breaking protocol and going off to solve the crime herself was so unrealist (like so many situations) it was almost laudable. I'm not even going to discuss the "Hallmark" ending.
The lead actress is better in comedic situations. I loved her in "Two Pints Of Lager.." but here she looked bad with her dark pixie haircut, bad make-up and total lack of expression.
I blame the director, editor and camera person for the poor choices they made that contributed to this being an average piece of work.
The script could have been reduced to either a TV movie or a two part mini series. There were too many red herrings and subplots (hate to even call them that) that went nowhere and slowed down the pace. The dialogue was often ridiculous.
One of my biggest gripes was the shots chosen. Either the director or the DP instructed the camera person to shoot the most mismatched, ridiculous 'fancy' angles and what I call 'indulgent shots'. Of course the editing made it much worse as happens. But when I start noticing the chosen camera shot just because they are trying to show that they 'can" I get immediately frustrated. This show was full of them unfortunately.
All the acting was mediocre, including Douglas Henshaw who I think (like the lead in "Murdoch Mysteries") was perfectly cast in "Shetland" but isn't a particularly good actor in anything else. He always acts the exact same expressionless way and is boring.
At least they were all consistently a mediocre ensemble so no-one stood out in the bunch. I kept getting the impression they didn't want to be there. Some of the writing was good and I did enjoy all the twists in the final episode which is why I awarded it 5 stars.
What I found most annoying and inappropriate was Ms Sheridan's wimpy demeanor. She was supposed to be a good beat cop but from the very beginning she acted weak, insecure and vulnerable. More so than any ordinary woman. She clung to her 'boyfriend' at every turn and gazed up at him appreciatively when he'd step in to help her out or have a clever thought. She also was simply unlikeable. The idea of her breaking protocol and going off to solve the crime herself was so unrealist (like so many situations) it was almost laudable. I'm not even going to discuss the "Hallmark" ending.