The Commons

I am not to keen on Australian mini series but out of the blue comes some that you want to wait for season two. The world can be a dark place and people just want to win for themselves at any cost and in the end some of those people loose. If season two does come out I know where I would be if the world gets desparate.

Apparently those who thought this was boring only like films and series with little substance. There are no car chases, nudity, graphic sex, severe violence or any other insipid story lines. There is a lot of emotion with world that faces the effects of climate change, authoritarianism, capitalistic greed and it's own version of a pandemic. Couple that with the stress of a professional woman who has been unable to conceive and who witnesses first hand the result of those facing a future without hope. For those who find this boring I suggest you return to watching the mindless drivel you prefer.

If you like a slow burn (no insensitive pun intended) and want to look at what Australia might look like in the future after our scorching 2020 apocalyptic summer, then this is for you. Though this isn't about bushfires specifically, this is a post climate change driven saga that is pretty realistic - in a pretty scary way. Excellent character driven narrative around families, relationships, parenting, financial and racial divides, corruption, climate change, climate refugees, PTSD and traumas from just being alive as its all going down. One might think the writers had a crystal ball - it's pretty spot on and so well timed given that our entire continent is burning and that climate change is no longer some abstract futuristic theory, but something we are now living through, even in our cities. An enjoyable watch, some might find boring, possibly all the people that have reviewed this show thinking it's Lisa Macwhatsherface in the lead role (spoiler: it's not, and yes that British accent is real) - but this show really delivers in the last few episodes in season one. It's in your face about many subjects we like to shun - if you are after a non thought provoking, non challenging easy view, go watch something else, this is not for you. Touching a lot on the effects the changing climate has on young people and their narratives and responses around that, I found this helpful as a parent. Great all round production, futuristic but realistic visual, A1 cast portraying depth-full honest and challenging characters. If you liked Aussie drama Love my way, you will like this. A lot.

Some of the reviews here are confusing the lead actress Joanne Froggatt, British, of Downton Abbey fame with Australian actress Lisa McCune of Blue Heelers fame!

It's okay, I found it a bit slow to get into it first and then by the end it felt rushed and that they hadn't concluded the story properly which obviously leads into a second season you would assume.

Most of the acting was okay, I enjoyed the videography and some of the futuristic tech aspects.

It's great that Stan is providing funding for Australian projects.

I've given 5/10 mainly because of the locations, photography and acting prowess. However, this series is slower than a pregnant asthmatic ant with heavy shopping. Shame really, good cast.