This is a complete mishmash of a plot. Certain things don't add up. There are too many loopholes in the plot, reacting is cheesy in particular the lawyer. It will leave you empty and wondering why you watched it, which I did. If you have ever seen the comedy programme Benidorm in which Sheridan Smith Acted this pretty much seems similar but it's not supposed to. Oh dear oh dear.
37 Reviews
Really average
grahamf-555428 March 2022
I feel I am being generous giving this 5, but it was just about watchable. Very serious flaws, though. Mainly the writing and direction. I find it hard to believe that Sheridan Smith would have willingly performed the role in the way she did. Her expressions in the courtroom scenes were especially poor. The mawkishness of the storylines steadily descended in to ever deeper cringe.
Having written all that, I'm asking myself whether it does really deserve the 5/10. I'd better sign off before I adjust it downwards.
Having written all that, I'm asking myself whether it does really deserve the 5/10. I'd better sign off before I adjust it downwards.
A bit soap opera in parts, but a decent watch overall.
Sleepin_Dragon8 March 2022
A family's worst nightmare becomes a reality, when on holiday in Turkey, their sixteen year old son is arrested for sexual assault.
It's good telly, I don't think you can read to much into how factually correct it is, or whether the characters would behave in the way that they do, some of the behaviour is very odd let's say.
Parts one and four were very good, with plenty of content, the two middle episodes, it's not that they lulled, they felt more like soap opera, the focus was too much on the family's melodrama, and not on the plight of Noah.
The acting cannot be faulted, Sheridan Smith, who seems to be in everything at the moment, puts in a fine performance, you can't fault her character's plausibility. Best of all, Is the central character, Noah, young Serkis is fantastic, he's so capable.
Smith has definitely been busy filming this year, in Eastern Europe for The Teacher, and in Spain filming this.
Genuinely the prison complex is less of an eye sore than the hotel, which is genuinely a hideous Lego block of concrete, it's genuinely as bad in real life.
Let's applaud it for telling a different type of story, the script is questionable, the acting was excellent, 7/10.
It's good telly, I don't think you can read to much into how factually correct it is, or whether the characters would behave in the way that they do, some of the behaviour is very odd let's say.
Parts one and four were very good, with plenty of content, the two middle episodes, it's not that they lulled, they felt more like soap opera, the focus was too much on the family's melodrama, and not on the plight of Noah.
The acting cannot be faulted, Sheridan Smith, who seems to be in everything at the moment, puts in a fine performance, you can't fault her character's plausibility. Best of all, Is the central character, Noah, young Serkis is fantastic, he's so capable.
Smith has definitely been busy filming this year, in Eastern Europe for The Teacher, and in Spain filming this.
Genuinely the prison complex is less of an eye sore than the hotel, which is genuinely a hideous Lego block of concrete, it's genuinely as bad in real life.
Let's applaud it for telling a different type of story, the script is questionable, the acting was excellent, 7/10.
Captivating
iainsmith-180618 February 2022
Sheridan Smith yet again putting in a powerful performance. A parents nightmare this story and it is worth watching and you won't be disappointed.. Everything Sheridan is doing at the moment is brilliant and she is an outstanding actress.
Well-written and acted drama that will draw you in and keep you guessing
JRB-NorthernSoul7 February 2022
You don't see Sheridan Smith on TV for ages then she's... yes back again (and on top form), starring in a new 4-parter about a family on holiday in Turkey dealing with the arrest of their 16 year old son for a serious crime.
Written by Danny Brocklehurst who penned the excellent Brassic the opening episode was a confident piece of drama. Production values were good all round, it was well cast the actors were on form and it had a clever score. Great cameo by the Turkish lawyer acting for the family.
It's not going to win awards but overall I really enjoyed the story, it tackles strong and important issues like consent, moral dilemmas and sexual identity, but at the same time it was a thoroughly entertaining drama.
Written by Danny Brocklehurst who penned the excellent Brassic the opening episode was a confident piece of drama. Production values were good all round, it was well cast the actors were on form and it had a clever score. Great cameo by the Turkish lawyer acting for the family.
It's not going to win awards but overall I really enjoyed the story, it tackles strong and important issues like consent, moral dilemmas and sexual identity, but at the same time it was a thoroughly entertaining drama.
A good and involving premise, but with a flawed execution.
johannes2000-17 April 2023
The basic storyline (English teen Noah is during a vacation in Turkey arrested on suspicion of sexual assaulting another teen) is in itself pretty involving. Especially the first episode is well done, the sudden raid of the police in the hotel room, the fright of Noah, the shock and total bewilderment of the family, it's all very convincingly pictured.
Unfortunately in the rest of the 4 episodes several flaws took much of the potential down. First of all the tedious side-story of the sister of the mother, who got mixed up in an extra-marital affair. Not only didn't this add anything to the main story, but the extensive footage of all the sobbing details (like her kid with ADHD and her hurt husband who himself was addicted to heroin) cost so much screen-time that without it the series could easily have settled for one episode less.
Then mother Kathy (Sheridan Smith), she clearly was supposed to have our sympathy as the devastated but militant lioness who fearlessly fought for her wronged cub. But they unfortunately made her into such an irrational, shouting and boozing bully, randomly hiring and firing attorneys, and in the process castrating her kind but passive husband, that she was mainly extremely irritating. Since her character was the pivot of the story, to me this spoiled most of it.
In fact the only thing that really impressed me was young Louis Ashbourne Serkis, he did a great job as the unfortunate son Noah, who had to endure all the ordeals of imprisonment and standing on trial, outwardly composed, but the terror visible in his eyes. And it was a nice touch by the writer that the totally unexpected revelation that their son was gay only caused a passing surprise with his parents, after which it wasn't any issue with them. As it should be. In an ideal world.
Unfortunately in the rest of the 4 episodes several flaws took much of the potential down. First of all the tedious side-story of the sister of the mother, who got mixed up in an extra-marital affair. Not only didn't this add anything to the main story, but the extensive footage of all the sobbing details (like her kid with ADHD and her hurt husband who himself was addicted to heroin) cost so much screen-time that without it the series could easily have settled for one episode less.
Then mother Kathy (Sheridan Smith), she clearly was supposed to have our sympathy as the devastated but militant lioness who fearlessly fought for her wronged cub. But they unfortunately made her into such an irrational, shouting and boozing bully, randomly hiring and firing attorneys, and in the process castrating her kind but passive husband, that she was mainly extremely irritating. Since her character was the pivot of the story, to me this spoiled most of it.
In fact the only thing that really impressed me was young Louis Ashbourne Serkis, he did a great job as the unfortunate son Noah, who had to endure all the ordeals of imprisonment and standing on trial, outwardly composed, but the terror visible in his eyes. And it was a nice touch by the writer that the totally unexpected revelation that their son was gay only caused a passing surprise with his parents, after which it wasn't any issue with them. As it should be. In an ideal world.
Racially stereotypical characters makes viewing difficult
fayhooper16 February 2022
It was sad to see our wonderful Sheridan cast into a series where the beautiful people of Turkey are stereotypically represented as 'foreign, cartoon-like baddies'.
Since the writing had little integrity in depicting a nation fairly, it didn't come as a surprise to see that the filming didn't even take place in Turkey but in Spain!
Sorry to say but Danny Brockehurst's writing on this series is more shameful than Shameless.
Since the writing had little integrity in depicting a nation fairly, it didn't come as a surprise to see that the filming didn't even take place in Turkey but in Spain!
Sorry to say but Danny Brockehurst's writing on this series is more shameful than Shameless.
Compelling viewing
cathyannemoore-661968 February 2022
Just binge watched on ITV hub. Very good acting from Sheridan Smith as usual. Third drama I have seen her in this week. Yet without the need for heavy make up she transforms into each character she portrays. Every teenage parents nightmare that their child unwittingly falls foul of the law in a foreign country. Superb script, well written. Although could have done without the Shirley Valentine-like behaviour of her sister. Wasn't needed.
Midnight Express meet Eastenders, lazy and insulting
onurlevi20 February 2022
A low budget fusion of Midnight Express and Eastenders.
Let's put the poor acting and sorry storyline aside, the cultural disrespect in this show is beyond belief.
Firstly the program isn't even filmed in Turkey, it's filmed in Spain. Understandably as I doubt they'd obtain permission to film this in Turkey due to its insulting nature.
The logo for the police service has been altered, the crest that should contain a flag of Turkey contains a mosque instead, something which is not only inaccurate, this isn't allowed in secular Turkey. An attempt by the producers to portray Turkey as an Islamist country, not helped by the regular call to prayers played as background music and the odd mosque shot. Yes Turkey does have mosques and call to prayers but what is the remote relevance or need to repeat it several times throughout the episodes?
In the scene where Noah is arrested, approximately 8 police officers armed with sub machine guns storm the room to arrest a teenage boy for sexual assault throwing his mother across the room. In what world do 8 police officers armed with machine guns go to arrest a teenage boy?
In a police interview with Noah who has been arrested, police shout in his face telling him to take the easy way and admit his crime, suggesting there is no investigative process or law and order in the country. Because the west is the only place on planet earth where there is law, order and justice right?
The cherry on top is the scene where the lawyer suggests he could win the case for 'the right price' by bribing the police. Any person of Turkish descent knows this is impossible and will land you in a world of trouble, especially in the last 20 - 30 years.
Every effort has been made to portray Turks as stereotypical carpet salesman, sketchy, and corrupt, barely any of the cast are even Turkish.
The accents many of the actors put on are far more Arab than Turkish. Clearly no different as far as the producers are concerned, mosques on Turkish police crests, Arab accents, negative stereotypes - surprised I didn't see any flying carpets or herds of camels.
The show is a cultural insult and an absolute shambles.
Let's put the poor acting and sorry storyline aside, the cultural disrespect in this show is beyond belief.
Firstly the program isn't even filmed in Turkey, it's filmed in Spain. Understandably as I doubt they'd obtain permission to film this in Turkey due to its insulting nature.
The logo for the police service has been altered, the crest that should contain a flag of Turkey contains a mosque instead, something which is not only inaccurate, this isn't allowed in secular Turkey. An attempt by the producers to portray Turkey as an Islamist country, not helped by the regular call to prayers played as background music and the odd mosque shot. Yes Turkey does have mosques and call to prayers but what is the remote relevance or need to repeat it several times throughout the episodes?
In the scene where Noah is arrested, approximately 8 police officers armed with sub machine guns storm the room to arrest a teenage boy for sexual assault throwing his mother across the room. In what world do 8 police officers armed with machine guns go to arrest a teenage boy?
In a police interview with Noah who has been arrested, police shout in his face telling him to take the easy way and admit his crime, suggesting there is no investigative process or law and order in the country. Because the west is the only place on planet earth where there is law, order and justice right?
The cherry on top is the scene where the lawyer suggests he could win the case for 'the right price' by bribing the police. Any person of Turkish descent knows this is impossible and will land you in a world of trouble, especially in the last 20 - 30 years.
Every effort has been made to portray Turks as stereotypical carpet salesman, sketchy, and corrupt, barely any of the cast are even Turkish.
The accents many of the actors put on are far more Arab than Turkish. Clearly no different as far as the producers are concerned, mosques on Turkish police crests, Arab accents, negative stereotypes - surprised I didn't see any flying carpets or herds of camels.
The show is a cultural insult and an absolute shambles.
Just good stuff
phippysma21 February 2022
Not worth the effort.
stephen_evelyn4223 February 2022
Soapy bubble...
buster-3958915 February 2022
A family populated with unlikeable characters go on holiday, there's a incident...
Trouble for me was, by the time the alleged incident occurs, which is only minutes into the first episode, I no longer cared what happened.
I persevered, purely because Sheridan Smith always gives good value, however her character, along with pretty much every other, was so deeply unlikeable as to be impossible to empathise with.
The side drama involving Smith's character's sister was utterly pointless and appeared to be there solely to pad the story out to fill four hours.
A shame really, the potential was there for a gripping drama, instead what we ended up with was something that would have been more suited to a four episode Eastenders/Coronation Street storyline.
Trouble for me was, by the time the alleged incident occurs, which is only minutes into the first episode, I no longer cared what happened.
I persevered, purely because Sheridan Smith always gives good value, however her character, along with pretty much every other, was so deeply unlikeable as to be impossible to empathise with.
The side drama involving Smith's character's sister was utterly pointless and appeared to be there solely to pad the story out to fill four hours.
A shame really, the potential was there for a gripping drama, instead what we ended up with was something that would have been more suited to a four episode Eastenders/Coronation Street storyline.
Absolutely brilliant
joeyneedham-327798 February 2022
Absolutely brilliant. Fantastic story and extremely good acting well done to me script writer. Yet another Sheridan Smith master piece. This really does make you think twice about letting your children go off alone in a foreign country.
Mercifully short
samthejudgeamos3 March 2022
I don't know why I forced myself to watch until the end, but hey no.
MORE, yet more Sheridan smith, are there no other actresses available for drama? That said, she plays the part well but it really wasn't great to watch.
Predictable and pedestrian, not one of ITV's better shows.
MORE, yet more Sheridan smith, are there no other actresses available for drama? That said, she plays the part well but it really wasn't great to watch.
Predictable and pedestrian, not one of ITV's better shows.
The low score reviews are hilarious
SelfDestructACowPatT24 February 2022
It's a great drama and tbh anything with Sheridan smith in, you know it's going to be good, and it is. Great storyline, great acting from SS. It's definitely worth a watch. The bad reviews are just stupid, why bother watching if you don't like her 😅 or maybe read the plot and you should know whether you will like it or not, ppl just complain for the sake of it.
Dear Oh Dear Oh Dear
steve-5466217 February 2022
Sheridan Smith, always a good gamble. Great actress. Her portrayal of Cilla Black was blinding, but this, Boring, so bloody Boring. Got to third episode and gave in. Unlikable characters, unnecessary sub plot going no where. What I saw could have bee condensed into half an hour. Turkey must be pulling their hair out. Oh well, better luck next Sheri baby.
Just awful
angilavan14 February 2022
Please don't waste your time, reasons:
1. Slow, drawn out doesn't go anywhere and could have been resolved in 1 episode
2. Not 1 of the characters is likeable, not one
3. So many plot points dropped in the last episode that are completely pointless and not really explained.
4. Gives Turkey a really bad name, the must be raging
Please just save yourself the time and don't bother.
4. Gives Turkey a really bad name, the must be raging
Please just save yourself the time and don't bother.
Turkish delight (made in Spain)
xmasdaybaby19668 February 2022
I just bingewatched this enjoyable series.
The script brings credibility to the viewer and they in return can give empathy.
The third show this year to feature Sheridan Smith (2 in a week). She is a great actress but the facelift and new teeth are off-putting.
Unlike The Teacher on Channel 5 last week, this professionally his the fact the show was not filmed in the intended storyline country.
ITV's love of grand houses is a pain.
Does no-one live in a back to back or council flat these days and is it not possible to make a show that doesn't involve sexuality?
Sian Brooke offers good support and the unrecognisable support cast add to the gravitas of the show.
A good 3 hour bingewatch.
The script brings credibility to the viewer and they in return can give empathy.
The third show this year to feature Sheridan Smith (2 in a week). She is a great actress but the facelift and new teeth are off-putting.
Unlike The Teacher on Channel 5 last week, this professionally his the fact the show was not filmed in the intended storyline country.
ITV's love of grand houses is a pain.
Does no-one live in a back to back or council flat these days and is it not possible to make a show that doesn't involve sexuality?
Sian Brooke offers good support and the unrecognisable support cast add to the gravitas of the show.
A good 3 hour bingewatch.
Absolutely average at best
dave-ditchburn12 February 2022
Make your own mind up , no spoilers here.
It's a poor storyline that hobbles along. Some reasonable acting making the most of it all. Sheridan Smith doesn't come anywhere near some of her previous performances whilst playing the abrasive worried mother. These problems are offset to a degree by a couple of notable roles such as " I am the circus master" solicitor.
It's a poor storyline that hobbles along. Some reasonable acting making the most of it all. Sheridan Smith doesn't come anywhere near some of her previous performances whilst playing the abrasive worried mother. These problems are offset to a degree by a couple of notable roles such as " I am the circus master" solicitor.
Very good, a must watch
dotdixon19 February 2022
A very good drama, an eye opener and a reminder what could happen when abroad in certain countries, the slightest thing could get you into trouble and then you will be treated to antiquated rules and laws governed by a unforgiving religion.
Utter rubbish
martin.selway4 March 2022
I had to sit though these episodes, like community service, due to my wife wanting to watch it.
I would have given up on it long ago.
Tedious, dull, poor acting, poor storyline, and those dreadful insistent adverts!
Hated it.
I would have given up on it long ago.
Tedious, dull, poor acting, poor storyline, and those dreadful insistent adverts!
Hated it.
Avoid, avoid, avoid!!
deanbateman197524 February 2022
Very much worth seeing.
tcwaterford8 February 2022
Every thing about the script writing is excellent!.
The acting especially by Sheridan Smith is absolutely believable, the script writers allow one to immediately empathise with Sheridan, as a mother in such a dreadful situation. ( I am trying not to spoil it for others).
Suffice to say, it is nothing like the badly written script of C5's The Teacher!.
It is great to see Sheridan Smith back at her best!, the support Actors are also quite good and collectively it is convincing, believable and should not be missed!.
Camera work is extremely good, as is the Direction. Production and finishing is absolutely excellent and to be admired.
A breath of fresh air in comparison to the C5 production, and Frankly a treat in comparison!. Really enjoyed it.
The acting especially by Sheridan Smith is absolutely believable, the script writers allow one to immediately empathise with Sheridan, as a mother in such a dreadful situation. ( I am trying not to spoil it for others).
Suffice to say, it is nothing like the badly written script of C5's The Teacher!.
It is great to see Sheridan Smith back at her best!, the support Actors are also quite good and collectively it is convincing, believable and should not be missed!.
Camera work is extremely good, as is the Direction. Production and finishing is absolutely excellent and to be admired.
A breath of fresh air in comparison to the C5 production, and Frankly a treat in comparison!. Really enjoyed it.
Don't waste your time
mteague-297041 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Sheridan Smith's 'Kathy' is a boorish, loud mouthed, drunken little englander, her husband isa hen pecked, door mat. Her sister leaves her husband & autistic son for a holiday fling, but when she is dumped, she wants to try again, oh and her husband is a drug addict. These are all very dislikable characters, that you'll have no sympathy for. Then, on the Turkish side, you have the corrupt cops, the cartoon character of a lawyer, the anti-gay rhetoric & the corrupt prison warden, who will only transfer the son, if he does a propaganda piece for them! This was islamophobic, xenophobic, full of white privilege and these are the people we are supposed to be rooting for! Very poorly written, terrible acting and an insult to the country of Turkey!
Embarrassingly bad
wooflydog2 March 2022
And very disappointing. I'm surprised that such a good actress as Sheridan Smith allowed herself to be part of this awful production.
It started so well - fast-paced and with all the ingredients for a gripping drama - but soon degenerated into a tedious soap opera filled with unpleasant over-the-top characters : a sort of never-ending Punch and Judy melodrama in a more exotic setting.
All of this might qualify it as acceptable, if boring, TV fodder, but the toxic combination of anti-Turkey cultural snobbery and the hatred towards Christianity implied in the dénouement serve to elevate this fiasco from the merely boring to the outright vicious.
I was tempted to use most of the filthy swear words that I'd just heard in the show as I hastily deleted "No Return" ; it will take some time to erase the taste of tawdry nastiness from my mind.
It started so well - fast-paced and with all the ingredients for a gripping drama - but soon degenerated into a tedious soap opera filled with unpleasant over-the-top characters : a sort of never-ending Punch and Judy melodrama in a more exotic setting.
All of this might qualify it as acceptable, if boring, TV fodder, but the toxic combination of anti-Turkey cultural snobbery and the hatred towards Christianity implied in the dénouement serve to elevate this fiasco from the merely boring to the outright vicious.
I was tempted to use most of the filthy swear words that I'd just heard in the show as I hastily deleted "No Return" ; it will take some time to erase the taste of tawdry nastiness from my mind.
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