After three seasons, Janet King's character is completely unrelatable to me. She does have more humanity earlier on (both earlier in season one itself and earlier in season one as compared to seasons two or three). But, she very quickly becomes so obsessed with work that it eclipses anyone of consequence in her life. The most empty part about the whole series is that there isn't some deep-seated drive for justice. She isn't provoked by some personal need to right wrongs like Olivia Dunham from "Fringe" or Olivia Benson from "Law & Order: SVU." Instead, we find out in season three that she has this deep-seated need to be right that she attributes to her father (who has the same preoccupation as her). So, it's all ego, not virtue. (Not that I couldn't tell. The heart just wasn't there.) Meanwhile, she has no real friends, no lasting relationships, and kids that she keeps leaving with other people to take care of (or unattended (?!)).
I'm sure that there are some questions as to whether someone might feel this way about a male character. Personally, I felt the same about "House, M.D.," and he was courteous enough (in the seasons I watched) not to have children, considering his obsession with work, and did a better job of making friends than Janet King. That made him strangely more relatable by comparison, even though I didn't like his character at all.
I also don't have any issue with her being a lesbian. Frankly, I think it's refreshing to see a lesbian character shown as a character rather than an exhibit. Putting minority characters in the spotlight and fetishizing them is unappealing to me. That doesn't happen here, which I'd consider a good thing. But, unfortunately, it's really the only good thing about this series (aside from a few great supporting characters who don't get nearly enough screen time).
The plot lines have gotten progressively more chaotic and disorganized since season one (which was very good, compared to either season two or three). This is only compounded by the fact that time isn't spent well concentrating on the lives of various characters. Things have ended up feeling very fractured and disjointed, particularly in season three (the constant referencing to sport-specific terminology didn't help, either).
Overall, it seems like there were some flaws in season one that could've been compensated for later. But, instead of the writers doing that, everything just got progressively more disorganized, chaotic, and unrelatable. I can't even bear to watch anymore. I was considering dropping it after season two, but gave it a try for season three, hoping for the best. But, it was worse. I wouldn't try again. I wouldn't expect it to get better. It's a shame. The ingredients for success are very clearly here, they're just not being utilized well.
(And, as a side note to the writers: complexity is no substitute for a feeling of connection to the characters, it's a cheap stand-in that's ultimately unsatisfying.)
I'm sure that there are some questions as to whether someone might feel this way about a male character. Personally, I felt the same about "House, M.D.," and he was courteous enough (in the seasons I watched) not to have children, considering his obsession with work, and did a better job of making friends than Janet King. That made him strangely more relatable by comparison, even though I didn't like his character at all.
I also don't have any issue with her being a lesbian. Frankly, I think it's refreshing to see a lesbian character shown as a character rather than an exhibit. Putting minority characters in the spotlight and fetishizing them is unappealing to me. That doesn't happen here, which I'd consider a good thing. But, unfortunately, it's really the only good thing about this series (aside from a few great supporting characters who don't get nearly enough screen time).
The plot lines have gotten progressively more chaotic and disorganized since season one (which was very good, compared to either season two or three). This is only compounded by the fact that time isn't spent well concentrating on the lives of various characters. Things have ended up feeling very fractured and disjointed, particularly in season three (the constant referencing to sport-specific terminology didn't help, either).
Overall, it seems like there were some flaws in season one that could've been compensated for later. But, instead of the writers doing that, everything just got progressively more disorganized, chaotic, and unrelatable. I can't even bear to watch anymore. I was considering dropping it after season two, but gave it a try for season three, hoping for the best. But, it was worse. I wouldn't try again. I wouldn't expect it to get better. It's a shame. The ingredients for success are very clearly here, they're just not being utilized well.
(And, as a side note to the writers: complexity is no substitute for a feeling of connection to the characters, it's a cheap stand-in that's ultimately unsatisfying.)