I'm surprised by the overly harsh criticism in some of these reviews but agree that if you're looking for serious drama then this probably isn't for you. It's obviously intended as a lightweight storyline & set in a picturesque seaside village with some good music & was a welcome distraction during all the seriousness of Covid crisis/lockdown. I agree with another reviewer's comment that it's similar to the 'Seachange' series which was HUGELY popular in Australia. If you're looking for something easy and enjoyable to binge to during lockdown then I'd recommend it..
35 Reviews
Shockingly poor! Rating it a five is an act of charity.
Thinker36518 September 2020
Another reviewer hit the nail on the head - a total shambles. There's some beautiful scenery but the script is appalling, much of the acting is amateurish, and the characters charmless.
It is poorly made daytime TV; its entertainment value is on par with watching paint dry (though, watching the paint would likely be of greater therapeutic value and more stimulating).
The 5 is for Orla Brady alone. Sad to see her acting in something so dismal. The non-existent story and dodgy acting are made only worse by a number of the Irish cast putting on dodgy Irish accents which they don't even commit to.
No redeeming value, requires scrubbing from the mind and any digital archives. Wasteful and purposeless for all involved, for the cast, the crew and the viewer alike.
It is poorly made daytime TV; its entertainment value is on par with watching paint dry (though, watching the paint would likely be of greater therapeutic value and more stimulating).
The 5 is for Orla Brady alone. Sad to see her acting in something so dismal. The non-existent story and dodgy acting are made only worse by a number of the Irish cast putting on dodgy Irish accents which they don't even commit to.
No redeeming value, requires scrubbing from the mind and any digital archives. Wasteful and purposeless for all involved, for the cast, the crew and the viewer alike.
Not good, guys...
stevo_8516518 April 2021
Shockingly poor
harryoconnell27 September 2020
All round awful plot and dialogue. Soapy direction. Acting sub panto level. Apart from Orla Brady who is much better than this and will probably never do an Irish TV show again.
This is RTE's Sunday night offering? Someone on top needs their head examined.
Enjoyable Light Entertainment
drewindallas14 November 2020
You'll never say " I never saw that coming."
gnatsong27 March 2021
Irish Hallmark Christmas Movie
ronaldalamascus-905067 January 2021
Worth Watching
vla-0848418 November 2020
This show accomplished what it set out to do: present a lightly entertaining excursion into beautiful Wicklow (set in fictional Carrigeen) with characters who are in various stages of their life journeys. As an American who has viewed few Irish productions, the authenticity or accuracy of the accents is not important to me, but the entertainment value of the show is what counts and this one works well enough with the lovely Irish town, and (although not profoundly compelling) fully watchable Irish characters.
Should Season 2 be produced, I will tune-in to learn in what ways the characters and storyline have advanced since Kate and Connor came to town.
Should Season 2 be produced, I will tune-in to learn in what ways the characters and storyline have advanced since Kate and Connor came to town.
Uneven characters with uneven plot
patricia-haertlein11 January 2022
Overall, I enjoyed the scenery and some very good acting. The Baz actor was the biggest turn off for me. I love Patrick Bergin in anything! The character of Kate was another downer as a conniver. Just my opinion, but I had hoped for a happier experience where my ancestors once called home.
NOT WORTH WATCHING
umocll5 October 2020
Beautiful scenery and lovely village setting easy to watch from that point of view but agree with the previous reviews..very poor and disappointing. The storyline is so boring and predictable. Some of the acting is appalling. Eileen Walsh is clearly the best actor in the series. Orla Brady and Steve Wall utterly disappointing.
Give it a chance.
annedarrah11 November 2020
Better than other reviews suggest
paul-e-conder15 November 2020
Having seen the trailer we decided to give this a go despite some early negative reviews.
It was a good story, more complex than initially suggested. The characters are well developed and the story flows across the six episodes.
There are a couple of new actors that put in excellent turns.
Overall well worth the time.
It was a good story, more complex than initially suggested. The characters are well developed and the story flows across the six episodes.
There are a couple of new actors that put in excellent turns.
Overall well worth the time.
Not as bad as others are saying
nospamboz21 September 2020
Look, I'm just a (one-quarter Irish) Yank who lived in Australia a long time, but please hear me out. I liked it. It reminded me of the Australian show "Seachange", which was one of my favorites. The first two episodes did a good job of introducing the characters and setting, and I really enjoyed seeing the featured Irish countryside. Sure, the town of Carigeen isn't real, and is a mixture of other locations in Ireland outside of Cork, but does that really matter, in fiction? It's still a good story. Some complain about the accents, but keep in mind the international TV market, and how many different people need to understand what's being said. Again, it's fiction, not reality - as long as it makes people think of Ireland, isn't that all that matters? ("It's going to lash later." Who knew the Irish had so many words for rain?) I'm looking forward to the rest of the season, and hope it gets picked up for more. You Irish just might have a winner here.
Not perfect but solid entertainment
slheider13 November 2020
I watched all of Season 1 in one evening and thoroughly enjoyed this series. Other reviews complained of actor portrayals, story line and film location. I thought the location was beautiful though I have no idea where it was filmed. The accents may not have been spot on or misplaced but I've definitely heard worse and I didn't feel that they detracted from the story. My only comment on casting was that I thought the actor playing Connor was a bit too old to play someone just heading off to college and his character had more maturity than an American 18 year old male would have. Overall, I was very pleased and am looking forward to season 2.
Mother Son Relationship Refreshing
drgoodbooks-930-9256117 December 2020
The development of good chemistry in any parent-child relationship, especially mother-son, vis-a-vis father-daughter, in 50 minute television is rare. Kate and Connor create the believable relationship of a divorced woman raising a son to adulthood while maintaining fun and structure and then adding that touch of alternating parent-child roles. Good acting draws one into that fun and intimacy and creates an ambience that matches the village and environment. The cinematography is grand and the sets/lighting are above average, i.e. the breakfast room in the guest house. When the primary relationship is foundational, the story is built upon it.
Oh dear....
janeococro22 September 2020
This series is absolutely terrible.
Orla Brady is such a wonderful actor, I can't believe she signed up for this.
The series showcases Irish people as narrow minded pro fossil fuels gombeens, who don't want a windfarm.
It isn't filmed in West Cork, so anyone thinking they will see beautiful West Cork or even Kerry, is sadly mistaken.
I don't know what RTE were thinking making this. The acting makes my skin crawl, and the accents - why? It is such a disappointment. I also think Orla's son in this was terribly cast - there is no way such a geek could be the son of Baz the surfer and Orla's character. Hit by a board and nearly drowned in one tiny wave somewhere on the coast of wicklow.
Appalling stuff.
I hope Brady returns to form in some new series, so she can forget this awfulness.
Excellent and balanced
imurf9 December 2020
This series does a very good job of showing both sides of a community issue that will effect the lives of everyone.
Don't believe the bad reviews. The reviewers are pretending it's not about them taking a narrow minded side of the debate.
Don't believe the bad reviews. The reviewers are pretending it's not about them taking a narrow minded side of the debate.
Watchable, Somewhat
dallasallis11 February 2024
So, biggest elephant in the room first. Two of the main characters, Kate and Baz, were supposed to be 36-40 years old. Orla Brady and Steve Wall are good actors, but they were at least twenty years past that at the time of filming, and there's not enough talent, or makeup/filters in the world to disguise it.
The series itself was okay although the premise was dumb and it was filled with tired, overused plot devices, too numerous to list. If I never watch an important conversation interrupted by a cell phone call, it'll be too soon. Insult to injury, the ending had almost no payoff.
On the bright side, the scenery was beautiful. That's it.
The series itself was okay although the premise was dumb and it was filled with tired, overused plot devices, too numerous to list. If I never watch an important conversation interrupted by a cell phone call, it'll be too soon. Insult to injury, the ending had almost no payoff.
On the bright side, the scenery was beautiful. That's it.
Terrible RTE output as usual.
roberthayes-5497513 October 2020
Something good to watch. Worth my time for sure.
brockhombre21 November 2020
It's rather straightforward, too much for some, but not totally predictable. I didn't think the Irish came across as idiots and none that I know are, but the Norwegians did appear rather cold-blooded, heartless, schemers, manipulative, and ruthless. The ends (clean energy) clearly justified the means and if you are the bad guy ruining the view and the fishing, create a much worse guy and openly manipulate. The Norwegians I know are not like that at all. It was a good story, well told. Lots on relationships, something often found, I believe, in the works of women producers and directors and sometimes under appreciated. It seemed to improve episode by episode as you got to know the characters and relationships. I found it worth my time and one of the better choices I have made lately. I became so interested in the whole package that I watched the whole of "Episode 7" that could have be titled, "The making of South Westerlies." While the story is set along the southern coast of Cork, it was filmed in Wicklow Town, just south of Dublin and it could not have been a better place for this story.
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