Defending the Guilty

I like watching TV series about lawyers and usually I enjoy how vapid they are, with lawyers pulling tricks out of the bag in totally implausible yet satisfying ways and unexpectedly winning all the time. But it is actually better and incredibly refreshing to see a legal show done another way. Critical, murky and funny.

I had entirely given up on new television in 2008, giving up on new film in 2012. I recently came back to new film, finding most as awful as they ever were but with the occasional okay one. I had peeked at new TV shows in recent times and seen nothing worth even mentioning. However, with Defending the Guilty there seems to finally be a show that speaks powerfully about this terrible society we have made, with a serious wit, and finely judged aesthetics.

Funny, thought-provoking, and it casts light on something that we should all be talking about more right now - just how messed up the legal system is for working within it / subject to it. Can't get enough of Will Sharpe and Katherine Parkinson ("mummy!") - such a funny duo.

Very witty and enjoyable - couldn't recommend it more highly

The story of Will, who's looking to hit the big time in law, he needs to stand above three other hopefuls, all the time aided and abetted by a slightly crazy, jaded Mentor.

The acting is superb, Parkinson and Bonnar in particular shine in every scene. Will is a hugely likeable character, he's great.

It doesn't have the belly laugh factor, but it is amusing, and the scenarios are funny, it's comedy along the lines of Don't forget the Driver from earlier in the year.

I'm delighted to see a second series is in the works, it really is a show I've loved and miss. 8/10