Tangle

I just caught all 3 series of this show on Netflix. How have I not seen it before? The ensemble cast is amazing, both the well known actors and also all the kids. Each character was well created and coherent through 22 episodes. One reviewer said they found all the characters unlikeable, that wasn't my experience at all.

The first series had a dark edge, driven by Ben Mendelsohn's character. That darkness disappeared in series 2 and most of series 3. I was worried it might lose its edge, but the 'tangle'of characters kept it tight and completely engaging. I assume they were planning another series, but the sudden ending wouldn't stop me from watching and thoroughly enjoying the whole complicated ride.

Great Aussie drama, well worth watching.

So far, I am about half way through the 2nd series.

There are things about this show which are excellent. Most of the Australian shows I have seen of this variety have some big events occurring early on, before we know who the characters are; and it often feels as if the writers cannot think of how to deal with day-to-day events, so they throw in a big event (or 2 or 3) and then write around that.

For most of the 1st series, this show avoided the "big events" and dealt with pretty much normal events in people's lives and their interactions. Most of the characters are interesting, as is the dialogue.

One plus that I would note in this show is, adultery is presented as being a devastating event to a marriage. I have seen several Australian shows where it is presented almost matter-of-factly.

A couple of warnings: most of the characters swear quite a bit, including speaking of God and Jesus Christ without any reverence. There is a fair amount of drug use/abuse (primarily drinking and smoking marijuana among the children and the adults). If I were to base my view of Australians on the shows I have seen, I would think that most people there smoke marijuana, but few get "hooked." And that nearly everyone swears.

I have often wondered if there are writers good enough in Australia to write shows where most of the people do not smoke dope and do not swear and do not commit adultery on a regular basis. If I were to make a guess, that is probably the majority of Australian people who are like that; but they are not generally portrayed that way on the shows that I have seen (I have primarily watched the "human drama" shows with high ratings).

The second series seems unfocused. Whereas, the first seemed to have an arc and some themes; the second series lacks one of the main characters; and seems to lack any sort of unifying theme. Also, the second series introduces some new characters, but, so far, it is not clear who they are or where they are going.

In short, it is a good show with some good writing and acting and some occasional great moments. It is not appropriate for teens (in my opinion) and you would never watch this with a church group.

For those familiar with Showtime or HBO, many Aussie shows seem to feel a need for a lot of sexual activity (I don't recall there being actual nudity), drug use, alcohol abuse, and swearing.

At this point, any disc set that you purchase will require a region free DVD player.

Absolutely brilliant show. Loved it. Dark. Confronting. Messy. Funny. Heart warming. It had everything. The writing was excellent. The acting fantastic. Sad it's over but enjoyed every minute.

We live 5km from where this was filmed in the posh suburbs of Kew and Abbotsford, to the east of Melbourne. These are generally affluent locations, with rightward-voting well heeled residents. The designer houses, Victorian architecture, and private schools and their chapels lent the series extra interest for locals like us. We liked the unravelling and deception of the main (white, this was before diversity expectations in casting) characters, as they behaved childishly (Nat), lustfully (almost all) and illegally (the teens, and Vince). The travails of a group of entitled adult parents paralleled the exploits of their teenage children.

A great Aussie show. Don't make your mind up if you like it or not until you watch. It's a great show with all the ups and downs of a dysfunctional lot who keep you watching while their lives and lies implode around them.