Well worth a watch. People saying the acting is poor are speaking too broadly. Most performances are good, except the cop's son who is not great. Anton Lesser is excellent as the retired bent cop; but then he is always good. It is a good story, some complexity to the characters, nobody is one dimensional. I don't really understand the really low raters. Not sure why Anton Lesser does not even feature in the IMDB cast list as he is the best thing in it. I didn't feel the accents were forced, I don't think any of the actors were using anything but their normal speaking voices. Make your own mind up.
48 Reviews
Worth it, just
johnnettlesforenglandman20 February 2023
The first 4 episodes were excellent, great production and acting all round. It wasn't anything new that hasn't been on before, hints of Line of Duty & Happy Valley storylines being woven in.
Also great to see Leeds having a huge part of the story, and about time West Yorkshire again got some screen time.
It's just the ending. I felt heavily let down as it built up to the final 10 minutes, as you kind of knew how it was going to wrap up. It could have gone many ways, but chose what now feels like an easy way out. It's worth a watch, only 5 episodes.
It just didn't get the ending it deserved in my opinion.
Also great to see Leeds having a huge part of the story, and about time West Yorkshire again got some screen time.
It's just the ending. I felt heavily let down as it built up to the final 10 minutes, as you kind of knew how it was going to wrap up. It could have gone many ways, but chose what now feels like an easy way out. It's worth a watch, only 5 episodes.
It just didn't get the ending it deserved in my opinion.
Good, but wrong ending
zenjunkie14 February 2023
Good cop gone bad variation. A good cast, especially the lead roles. Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch) is particularly excellent in his role as drug gang leader. Not seen much of Leila Farzad but she does well as the detective Lou Slack who is playing both sides. Also nice to see Anton Lesser (Endeavour) in a different kind of role.
It all starts off a bit on the slow side but picks up in episode 2. This is not a shoot em up cop drama but more of a slow slide into a moral dilemma. The deeper detective Slack slides into the vortex of corrupt cop the tenser it gets.
My only gripe with the programme is that, for me, it should have ended at episode 4.
That, to my mind, would have been a perfect and more realistic, ending.
Episode 5 tried too hard to tie up loose ends and ended up unnecessary and unrealistic.
That said, it was definitely worth a watch.
Ignore the unfair critics who have rubbished this programme.
It all starts off a bit on the slow side but picks up in episode 2. This is not a shoot em up cop drama but more of a slow slide into a moral dilemma. The deeper detective Slack slides into the vortex of corrupt cop the tenser it gets.
My only gripe with the programme is that, for me, it should have ended at episode 4.
That, to my mind, would have been a perfect and more realistic, ending.
Episode 5 tried too hard to tie up loose ends and ended up unnecessary and unrealistic.
That said, it was definitely worth a watch.
Ignore the unfair critics who have rubbished this programme.
Ruined by the ending
coxl-0014822 February 2023
This was good. For the first four episodes. Great to see Leeds, good acting by Leila Farzad and Andrew Buchan. Interesting take on the police drama. After the first four good episodes, we were excited to see how it ended. Only to find a completely implausible ending, which totally ruined our enjoyment of the previous episodes. It would have been better if we'd just watched 1-4 and it had ended there, with Lou never quite sure whether they would come for her for the rest of her life. That would have been believable. The conclusion provided by episode 5 was no. Disappointed and felt a bit cheated.
Entertaining but implausible
njboden17 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I find it hard to believe that Lou would have such a sudden change of heart, or that Col would display signs of mental illness and weakness, digging his garden in the pouring rain and failing to get revenge on his enemies, only to hand himself in to the police at the end. I think that much of the relationship between Lou and Col was exciting and believable, and the same goes for her interactions with her by-the-book colleague and her husband, but there's no way she'd hand Col a loaded gun that he could've shot her with. Also, the fact that Col is a ruthless gangster who is involved in not just drug trafficking but the far far worse crimes of people trafficking and murder makes his behaviour all the more inexplicable.
All in all entertaining and worth a watch as long as you don't overthink it. I'd say that Anton Lesser is he best actor in this, he plays Vernon the former whistleblower and corrupt cop and he acts the role brilliantly as he always does.
It would be good if this series carried on a bit longer, so we could see what happened to Lou and Col after they handed themselves in to the police.
All in all entertaining and worth a watch as long as you don't overthink it. I'd say that Anton Lesser is he best actor in this, he plays Vernon the former whistleblower and corrupt cop and he acts the role brilliantly as he always does.
It would be good if this series carried on a bit longer, so we could see what happened to Lou and Col after they handed themselves in to the police.
A Pressing Question...
skyeliamitchell4 April 2023
What happened to Vernon's cat? Does anyone care about his cat?! Did the lovely lady from next door take him to live with her? Did the fireries take him to a shelter after they had doused the flames at his home? I don't understand why this very important matter was not addressed! I also have no idea how I'm going to find the 250-ish more characters that are required for this review. I agree with the others who said that the series should have stopped at Episode 4. It would have been the perfect ending. I even shouted this out loud at the time, to the empty room and my cat. Speaking of cats - I hope Vernon's was okay.
Unbelievable!
J-o-h-n-H16 May 2023
Whilst I found this so engrossing that I binge watched all episodes (finishing at 5am). I have to say that the ending was amateurish, sentimental and totally unbelievable. I won't provide details of this let down because I was so engrossed until then that I would not wish to spoil it for others. MYOMU. Now.... I've actually said all I have to say but apparently in order to post any review I am supposed to write a minimum of 600 (superfluous?) characters! Why? Is there no merit in brevity and clarity over indulgent pomposity? (Answers appreciated but not required)😊.....OMG!!! I thought I had attained the minimum requirement already....but apparently not. Now trying again. Thank you for your patience in matching my persistence!🤣
Entertaining. Col's accident . . .
justasimplereview22 March 2023
The acting is ok, some of it obviously scripted, especially from the lead actress in episode 5. I agree with another reviewer about the series being able to be wrapped up in 4 episodes not 6. It did feel like it dragged out a bit.
Col's accident is FANTASTIC. I am from Northern Ireland and I have never heard anyone nail the accent like he has. There is barely a single word uttered that isn't 100% authentic 'norn Irish' It is hard accent to emulate and he smashed it. So impressed.
The overall concept of the series is very guys but the execution is mediocre and a bit lukewarm. The acting often seems forced and the husband and wife are totally unbelievable as a couple.
Col's accident is FANTASTIC. I am from Northern Ireland and I have never heard anyone nail the accent like he has. There is barely a single word uttered that isn't 100% authentic 'norn Irish' It is hard accent to emulate and he smashed it. So impressed.
The overall concept of the series is very guys but the execution is mediocre and a bit lukewarm. The acting often seems forced and the husband and wife are totally unbelievable as a couple.
Good but schizo writing
dingalingalong1 March 2023
Did she ever do a days work?
Good series but plot holes all over the place. And the script kept twisting making the characters act completely different from episode to episode. Poor Ceri didn't know if he was coming or going.
But there was some rough justice and gritty plot lines. Makes you realise there is an underworld out there and if you get caught on the wrong side your life can get dictated and controlled by it - no easy options.
The final scene was UK police all over.
If I was watching this again I would focus on the non main characters because they are the ones that played their parts so well and didn't have to flip flop.
Good series but plot holes all over the place. And the script kept twisting making the characters act completely different from episode to episode. Poor Ceri didn't know if he was coming or going.
But there was some rough justice and gritty plot lines. Makes you realise there is an underworld out there and if you get caught on the wrong side your life can get dictated and controlled by it - no easy options.
The final scene was UK police all over.
If I was watching this again I would focus on the non main characters because they are the ones that played their parts so well and didn't have to flip flop.
craps out at the end
crimewriter3419 February 2023
Noteworthy for performance of Leila Farzad, not much else. Twist on cop vs criminal. Bad ending. 6.3, if you like the Brit born Iranian actress. 5.6 if you dont. Or pass. Complete washout halfway through last episode. But up until then, it's a solid 6.9. If you like, Leila Farzad.
"Just like every cop's a criminal, and all the sinners saints. My friends just call me..." And I was so hopeful. May I suggest an obscure crime drama, on Amazon books, "North of Likely" which delivers a solid ending to the cop trying to fight his way back to the right side theme.
But, as BBC goes, this experiment may have been bogged down in its own need to appease the diversity parade and be PC enough for the social censors. Or, the writers can't write an ending.
Feels like it could go longer. But the lukewarm response, I imagine, based upon the aforementioned, may preclude that.
"Just like every cop's a criminal, and all the sinners saints. My friends just call me..." And I was so hopeful. May I suggest an obscure crime drama, on Amazon books, "North of Likely" which delivers a solid ending to the cop trying to fight his way back to the right side theme.
But, as BBC goes, this experiment may have been bogged down in its own need to appease the diversity parade and be PC enough for the social censors. Or, the writers can't write an ending.
Feels like it could go longer. But the lukewarm response, I imagine, based upon the aforementioned, may preclude that.
Worth a watch
SL_18018 February 2023
If it wasn't for the ending I'd score this at a 7, I finished the entire thing in just two days and had very high hopes.
Unfortunately the ending is bad, REALLY bad. There is no world in which this would happen... I've no idea what the writers were thinking.
It does well to keep you watching though and all be it until the very last scene it kept me interested and wanting more.
Anton Lesser was my favourite character by miles, Leila Farzad not so much, her character seems forced. A few elements throughout are silly and unrealistic but this goes for 90% of TV.
Give it a watch and make your own mind up.
Unfortunately the ending is bad, REALLY bad. There is no world in which this would happen... I've no idea what the writers were thinking.
It does well to keep you watching though and all be it until the very last scene it kept me interested and wanting more.
Anton Lesser was my favourite character by miles, Leila Farzad not so much, her character seems forced. A few elements throughout are silly and unrealistic but this goes for 90% of TV.
Give it a watch and make your own mind up.
The only thing wrong with Better is that the BBC pitched it as "the new Happy Valley".
byronbache-10 March 2023
The only thing wrong with Better is that the BBC pitched it as "the new Happy Valley". And because they did, the show got a weird audience and critical reception.
Line of Duty is incredible, right? But if someone promised you Happy Valley and you sat down to watch Line of Duty, I don't think you'd like it much. That's what's happening here.
This isn't Line of Duty. It isn't Happy Valley. Better is in a category of its own, and it stands as tall as either of those shows do.
Leila Farzad is astonishing, like she is in everything. But this is a brilliantly written game of chess that has you emotionally invested in all the pieces on the board.
You haven't seen this character arc in a cop show, and you haven't seen this story in a drama before.
(Also, I don't know how you even begin to write a second season after that ending, but my god do I want to see it.)
Line of Duty is incredible, right? But if someone promised you Happy Valley and you sat down to watch Line of Duty, I don't think you'd like it much. That's what's happening here.
This isn't Line of Duty. It isn't Happy Valley. Better is in a category of its own, and it stands as tall as either of those shows do.
Leila Farzad is astonishing, like she is in everything. But this is a brilliantly written game of chess that has you emotionally invested in all the pieces on the board.
You haven't seen this character arc in a cop show, and you haven't seen this story in a drama before.
(Also, I don't know how you even begin to write a second season after that ending, but my god do I want to see it.)
not bad but really only needed 4 episodes
stephenlasmith28 February 2023
#better @bbciplayer #drama #tense #betrayal #police #crime #crimelord #thriller #mystery - 5 episodes of about 1 hour each - we binge watched this - it's about apolice detective who has been best friends with a crime lord for over 20 years and has a moral awakening after an accident to her son and has to decide where she wants to go on - trusted police detective or corrupt detective paid by a ruthless crime lord ! The first episode was a bit over the place but we stuck with it - pleased that we did - the acting wasn't Shakespeare and finely polished but then it's a tv drama series so you sort of accept it - good story and surprised at the ending ! The guy that is the mani male character had a good Irish accent and did trellis it was the one who played in #broadchurch - you will hate the crime family though and it disgusts me that there are families like this who think and sometimes are above the law ! @leila_farzad_official @_andrew_buchan_ @secook90 @sir_hairahcaz @olivianakintu @celspellman @carolinstoltz @anthonylewis._
Could and should have been much better...
JRB-NorthernSoul13 February 2023
DI Lou Slack is a bent cop who decides she can be 'better' after her son nearly dies and she re-evaluates her choices.
I found the storyline far-fetched from the off, both leads were unconvincing, DI Lou Slack being paid off by local drug baron, Col McHugh, (who had all the menace of a school dinner lady). DI Slack spent more time with McHugh than she did at work or with her family, why would they even meet face to face in public?
Production values were OK, the cast was nothing special, score was run of the mill, the editing was a bit cheesy at times especially with her flashbacks, there was nothing that stood out especially.
A disappointment all round I'm afraid. If you want to watch a great show about dirty cops seek out the French show 'Spiral' its brilliant.
I found the storyline far-fetched from the off, both leads were unconvincing, DI Lou Slack being paid off by local drug baron, Col McHugh, (who had all the menace of a school dinner lady). DI Slack spent more time with McHugh than she did at work or with her family, why would they even meet face to face in public?
Production values were OK, the cast was nothing special, score was run of the mill, the editing was a bit cheesy at times especially with her flashbacks, there was nothing that stood out especially.
A disappointment all round I'm afraid. If you want to watch a great show about dirty cops seek out the French show 'Spiral' its brilliant.
This is a moral awakening?
vryum23 September 2023
First episode was difficult, I made it through and by second episode it seemed they might salvage it.
The plot was more than a bit fantastical, but with sophisticated dialogue and character development, and, good acting, that is tolerable and sometimes irrelevant to me.
This is the second British series I've recently watched (the other was Happy Valley) that seems to celebrate duplicity. I neither expect, nor do I want, all characters to be true and upstanding, etc., etc. I don't even care if there is not one character I find appealing.
But making heroines out of self-centered bullies is annoying and cheap. And that is at its best, because beyond that, it is boring.
The plot was more than a bit fantastical, but with sophisticated dialogue and character development, and, good acting, that is tolerable and sometimes irrelevant to me.
This is the second British series I've recently watched (the other was Happy Valley) that seems to celebrate duplicity. I neither expect, nor do I want, all characters to be true and upstanding, etc., etc. I don't even care if there is not one character I find appealing.
But making heroines out of self-centered bullies is annoying and cheap. And that is at its best, because beyond that, it is boring.
Better could have been AMAZING!
billingsleyangela27 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I agree with others that this was great but for the weird ending!!!
It could have been AMAZING. And if there was another series planned (but I don't see how there can be) I could maybe understand. To lead us to believe that a major city police station was unmanned for what seems like hours is totally unrealistic!!!!!! Not to mention asking us to believe a hardened criminal, who orders death at the drop of a hat, would do what he did (calmly go to the police station to give himself up without even speaking to his wife or son!!!!
Mind you I do admire the writers for trying this out - a cop show from the eyes of a high-up corrupt police member who looks and acts so UNCORRUPT!!!!
It could have been AMAZING. And if there was another series planned (but I don't see how there can be) I could maybe understand. To lead us to believe that a major city police station was unmanned for what seems like hours is totally unrealistic!!!!!! Not to mention asking us to believe a hardened criminal, who orders death at the drop of a hat, would do what he did (calmly go to the police station to give himself up without even speaking to his wife or son!!!!
Mind you I do admire the writers for trying this out - a cop show from the eyes of a high-up corrupt police member who looks and acts so UNCORRUPT!!!!
okay but a few plot holes
barrylynch-726956 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I found some parts a bit cringe and unrealistic, as others have said should have ended in episode 4. The last episode especially the ending were completely unrealistic and a bit boring. Friends or not, slack should have been a goner a long time ago for trying to take down Andy on multiple occasions.
Going for dinners and meetings in car parks with a wanted drug lord not very clever and someone bound to spot them together at some point. You can't keep those friendships hidden.
Thought the acting was good from Andy and the old bean (forgot his name.)
The best acting by far though was from Zaid Munir who played Rashid, definitely a rising star!
Going for dinners and meetings in car parks with a wanted drug lord not very clever and someone bound to spot them together at some point. You can't keep those friendships hidden.
Thought the acting was good from Andy and the old bean (forgot his name.)
The best acting by far though was from Zaid Munir who played Rashid, definitely a rising star!
Great little 4 part series
mjones41-826-63073614 March 2023
As mentioned by quite a few reviewers it WAY better to watch this until the end of episode 4 and then just stop. It's almost as if it was written to end at 4, and 5 is when the interns took over and thought they'd write an alternate ending.
Ending at episode 4 I give it a 9 out of 10. Adding the interns episode I have to water it down to a 7, so just don't watch it.
I don't want a follow up season carrying on from where it left off. However another season where they go back in time to where when Col and Lou first met would be great. It should also include Lou's policeman father and Lou's friend the bent cop Vernon.
Ending at episode 4 I give it a 9 out of 10. Adding the interns episode I have to water it down to a 7, so just don't watch it.
I don't want a follow up season carrying on from where it left off. However another season where they go back in time to where when Col and Lou first met would be great. It should also include Lou's policeman father and Lou's friend the bent cop Vernon.
Slow to start, but picks up pace very well.
Sleepin_Dragon21 May 2023
After her son almost dies Detective Inspector Lou Stack is tired of living in the pocket of drug dealer and villain Col McHugh, she chooses to leave but she is very much made aware that leaving is not an option.
I started watching it live, and didn't stick with it, I found episode one hard to get into, I took the advice of a friend of mine and gave it another go, I'm glad I did.
Episode one is a little hard to get into, it seems to skip any introduction or setting scenes, it instead jumps straight into the action, once it settles it's good, it's very good, episode four is fantastic.
There are a few scenes that are hard to swallow, the moment in the car wash for example, why on Earth did Lou feel it was safe to be seen out in public with such a known villain, if you can look past a few silly moments, you'll find it a rewarding watch.
Leila Farzad and Andrew Buchan are both very strong in their respective roles, I thought Anton Lesser and Zak Ford Williams were the standouts I thought.
I hope The BBC picks up another series of this, more Lou Stack please.
8/10.
I started watching it live, and didn't stick with it, I found episode one hard to get into, I took the advice of a friend of mine and gave it another go, I'm glad I did.
Episode one is a little hard to get into, it seems to skip any introduction or setting scenes, it instead jumps straight into the action, once it settles it's good, it's very good, episode four is fantastic.
There are a few scenes that are hard to swallow, the moment in the car wash for example, why on Earth did Lou feel it was safe to be seen out in public with such a known villain, if you can look past a few silly moments, you'll find it a rewarding watch.
Leila Farzad and Andrew Buchan are both very strong in their respective roles, I thought Anton Lesser and Zak Ford Williams were the standouts I thought.
I hope The BBC picks up another series of this, more Lou Stack please.
8/10.
A MAJOR disappointment
AsbeScott16 February 2023
I read that the BBC were calling this the next happy valley, it doesn't come remotely close. I was really looking forward to this as the BBC have come out with some absolutely brilliant dramas over the years.
Is it worth watching? Yes, just don't bother with the final episode.
The ending is unbelievable, unrealistic and plainly stupid. There's also a good few ridiculous parts throughout.
I think a child could have concluded this story in a better way.
The acting is okay, all be it unrealistic and the characters hard to believe at best. The story had so much potential that has quite simply been thrown down the toilet.
What a waste of time.
Is it worth watching? Yes, just don't bother with the final episode.
The ending is unbelievable, unrealistic and plainly stupid. There's also a good few ridiculous parts throughout.
I think a child could have concluded this story in a better way.
The acting is okay, all be it unrealistic and the characters hard to believe at best. The story had so much potential that has quite simply been thrown down the toilet.
What a waste of time.
Redemption for everyone.
raccles4 March 2023
I really enjoyed this, started thinking usual Line of Duty type show was going to happen but no.
Showed the vulnerable side of both police and criminals, it makes you sort of understand the circumstances of people that commit crimes and that the police do live in the environment they are trying to control and the difficulties that come with it.
The relationship between the leads worked well, they had obvious chemistry.
The story with old Marley was actually nice in the end, in a sad way.
Wish this had been an episode or two longer.
I hope they do another series, see what the fallout is from the end.
Showed the vulnerable side of both police and criminals, it makes you sort of understand the circumstances of people that commit crimes and that the police do live in the environment they are trying to control and the difficulties that come with it.
The relationship between the leads worked well, they had obvious chemistry.
The story with old Marley was actually nice in the end, in a sad way.
Wish this had been an episode or two longer.
I hope they do another series, see what the fallout is from the end.
Absolute rubbish
jdhb-768-6123414 February 2023
The only thing 'Better' about this rubbish would be in the phrase 'Must Do Very Much Better'. The storyline is ludicrous and the acting weak, The characters are utterly unbelievable and the dialogue ridiculous. That a D. I. can have such a friendship with a major villain and hide it from her colleagues and superiors, while meeting the villain and his employees in car parks and elsewhere is about as likely as my granny being on the next moon-shot.
How on earth can the BBC go from the brilliance of 'Happy Valley' to tripe like this ? Dull, boring, ridiculous, moronic, idiotic - do I need to say more ?
How on earth can the BBC go from the brilliance of 'Happy Valley' to tripe like this ? Dull, boring, ridiculous, moronic, idiotic - do I need to say more ?
Not a cop drama, but the trials of a mother who's a corrupt cop
yewsiedu14 February 2023
So yes, if you're looking for a gritty cop drama, this probably isn't the show for you. You can skip it and go watch something else (maybe The Gold?)
Sure, Better does have cop-drama stuff in it, but it's largely superficial -- the substance here is all about the power of family bonds to reform bad behaviour, which might be considered by some to be a bit dry and boring -- this is definitely not the show for them.
The protagonist could have been a Saul-style lawyer, a drug dealer -- honestly that part of the story doesn't matter that much. There's a 'devil' in the form of the antagonist with whom she's made a 'bargain' she must get out of. That's the plot in a nutshell.
But, Better has dressed that plot up in a reasonably attractive fashion, and so if you'd like to join our protagonist on her journey of redemption then you're more than welcome to come along!
Rated 9/10 for what it is. Which is not a cop drama.
Sure, Better does have cop-drama stuff in it, but it's largely superficial -- the substance here is all about the power of family bonds to reform bad behaviour, which might be considered by some to be a bit dry and boring -- this is definitely not the show for them.
The protagonist could have been a Saul-style lawyer, a drug dealer -- honestly that part of the story doesn't matter that much. There's a 'devil' in the form of the antagonist with whom she's made a 'bargain' she must get out of. That's the plot in a nutshell.
But, Better has dressed that plot up in a reasonably attractive fashion, and so if you'd like to join our protagonist on her journey of redemption then you're more than welcome to come along!
Rated 9/10 for what it is. Which is not a cop drama.
Made no sense
jeppepalmari12 May 2023
Most of this show made absolutely zero sense. Seems like the writers don't really know anything about police or criminals.
Supposedly the biggest drug dealer in the city and he has about 5 people in total working for him. He's also not under constant surveillance even though he's very known to the police so Lou can just meet him anywhere at any time. Sure, makes sense.
Also, nothing about Col makes me believe that he's the top dog criminal in a big city. He's just not believable as a crime boss in this. He could be, but the writing fails him.
The acting performances were good, it's just that the writing is awful. The last episode espescially was bad. The show started off good, but the longer it went on the harder it became to tolerate the bad writing.
Supposedly the biggest drug dealer in the city and he has about 5 people in total working for him. He's also not under constant surveillance even though he's very known to the police so Lou can just meet him anywhere at any time. Sure, makes sense.
Also, nothing about Col makes me believe that he's the top dog criminal in a big city. He's just not believable as a crime boss in this. He could be, but the writing fails him.
The acting performances were good, it's just that the writing is awful. The last episode espescially was bad. The show started off good, but the longer it went on the harder it became to tolerate the bad writing.
Execution is everything
johnklem18 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The idea's clever and in less capable hands might have given birth to a good but forgettable TV show. However... in the hands of these writers and the two leads, this is an extraordinary piece of work of emotional maturity and depth that transcends genre. There isn't a wrong step anywhere (including the ending!!). Everything that happens is true to the emotional state of the characters and the trolls who shout about credibility need to expand their horizons beyond gaming and ask their parents to explain. Leila Farzad always delivers but this role allows her unusual freedom and she repays the favour in spades. For me, the outstanding performance though, is Andrew Buchan. He's an actor who's appeared in dozens of TV dramas and who always hints at a darker side but, to my limited knowledge, has never had this kind of chance to show what he can really do. This performance should open a lot more doors for his career. This really is a very special TV show. Is it for everyone? No, absolutely not and when I was much younger, I might have sided with the trolls. Glad I grew up!
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