29 reviews
The catch is a 2023 family, thriller drama series which consists of 4 episodes. It was my mum who told me how good it was so decided to watch it well I was hooked from beginning to end. You have to give a chance honestly it does get better as it goes on. The storyline is gripping and it certainly gets you questioning what is actually true or not. It is a little predictable in places but it's a very good watch. Acting is superb Jason Watkins is great actor as always. In fact all the cast are good. Very well produced and directed. It's certainly is a thriller and surprisingly a good drama. I really enjoyed it didn't want it to end. If you like mini dramas like the teacher with Sheridan smith or even the Bay then you will like this. Don't go by the low rating or bad reviews it's very good give it a chance. With some twists and turns on the way you will not want to stop watching it. Very good. Get watching now . Streaming on My 5 now.
- chloegalley
- May 12, 2023
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I guessed what the storyline turned out to be from the beginning! Love Jason Watkins and the scenery lovely, the only reason to watch. Terrible script, a child could write it. Ridiculous coincidences, weird characters, but still must've held my attention because I watched it all! Glad it was only spread over four episodes, the usual six would have been too much. Give it a chance if you have nothing else to watch, at least it's not long winded. But if you actually listen to the dialogue/ script you may laugh out loud! Makes me want to visit Ireland where it's filmed though, beautiful beaches!!!
- nevans-48467
- Feb 13, 2023
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I'm a big fan of Jason Watkins, he's a very watchable actor in my opinion. He's very safe and dependable with what I would describe as a raw vulnerability. He really carries the weight of this show although the other actors are decent too. Okay it's not the most surprising murder mystery drama I've ever seen but I found myself happy to coast along and watch to the end. A few more twists would have been good and the final episode is perhaps the weakest which is a shame but it's a solid seven out of ten. If you want to pick holes this is going to provide a few but otherwise just go for the ride.
- henderson-46129
- Feb 8, 2024
- Permalink
Horrible acting, dodgy accents, unlikable characters, unrealistic conversations, bad directing... I could go on.
The daughter seems intent on wandering around the docks day in day out in a white shirt, which never seems to get a spec of dirt on it. The wife needs a slap, the mothers storyline isn't needed and just there for comic effect, which comes across as disrespectful.
The copper who comes into it to investigate the lifeguards murder is about as vacant as they come.
The main character is a drip and the boyfriend is about as menacing as Donald duck.
Channel 5 through and through... do yourself a favour and run a mile.
The daughter seems intent on wandering around the docks day in day out in a white shirt, which never seems to get a spec of dirt on it. The wife needs a slap, the mothers storyline isn't needed and just there for comic effect, which comes across as disrespectful.
The copper who comes into it to investigate the lifeguards murder is about as vacant as they come.
The main character is a drip and the boyfriend is about as menacing as Donald duck.
Channel 5 through and through... do yourself a favour and run a mile.
This was most disappointing. The cast was unlikeable, the acting was awful, the whole thing was just pretty rubbish. The book I enjoyed but certainly wouldn't reccomend this! Was like some kind of mid afternoon made for tv film! The plot changes were either pointless or weren't as good as the original. The main characters didn't seem believable and wee all just a bit weird. Even the daughter didn't come across in any way that made you really care about her, it's quite a feat to make a cast all so I likeable but they managed it. That's all surprising considering the cast, I was expecting more!!
Yet another long drawn out non-thriller. As 90 minute TV movie it might have worked but I was bored by the end of the first episode. The plot was predictable with no surprises along the way and the ending was nothing but a series of pure cinematic cliches. We know what is going on, the protagonist knows it as well, but we have to endure four hours of mediocre acting and dialogue drowned out by the over loud incidental music.
Jason Watkins' talent is wasted as the protagonist whom no one believes, Aneurin Barnard is too lightweight for the role and the two main female characters were little more than set dressing. And as for the granny; is dementia the new stick to beat us with as it seems to be popping up everywhere lately.
Jason Watkins' talent is wasted as the protagonist whom no one believes, Aneurin Barnard is too lightweight for the role and the two main female characters were little more than set dressing. And as for the granny; is dementia the new stick to beat us with as it seems to be popping up everywhere lately.
- Leonieruth
- Feb 21, 2023
- Permalink
Still grieving for the death of his son, Ed takes an instant dislike to his naughtier Abbie's new boyfriend Ryan. Things are going wrong for Ed, but who is responsible.
I honestly have no idea what the ridiculously low ratings refer to, definitely not this four part series, without any doubt of Channel five's best offerings, and I'd argue one of the better dramas of 2023 so far.
I certainly missed Crompton's writing skills in the recent series of Silent Witness, he was missed, but his skills were out to good use, bringing this four part drama to life. Channel five dramas can be hit and miss, I'd argue this one was definitely a hit.
Four episodes worked well, it allowed it to nice up through the gears quite quickly, it never felt slow or laboured, and whilst the mystery may be a little obvious, the journey is a very good one.
It's a very well produced drama, it looks great, Dublin looking fantastic.
The acting was excellent, Jason Watkins did a great job, I thought Aneurin Barnard was fantastic, I'm so glad he's been cast in the next series of Doctor Who, what a talent.
8/10.
I honestly have no idea what the ridiculously low ratings refer to, definitely not this four part series, without any doubt of Channel five's best offerings, and I'd argue one of the better dramas of 2023 so far.
I certainly missed Crompton's writing skills in the recent series of Silent Witness, he was missed, but his skills were out to good use, bringing this four part drama to life. Channel five dramas can be hit and miss, I'd argue this one was definitely a hit.
Four episodes worked well, it allowed it to nice up through the gears quite quickly, it never felt slow or laboured, and whilst the mystery may be a little obvious, the journey is a very good one.
It's a very well produced drama, it looks great, Dublin looking fantastic.
The acting was excellent, Jason Watkins did a great job, I thought Aneurin Barnard was fantastic, I'm so glad he's been cast in the next series of Doctor Who, what a talent.
8/10.
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Feb 18, 2023
- Permalink
A strange one. Some top talent cast in it but wasted. Not wonderful direction or acting.
It really is murder mystery by numbers. Its that bad that I guessed 100% who the protagonist was and why they were doing it . I also managed to guess the course of the final 10 minutes. It was almost comic to be honest . I'm not normally good at that and usually bounce between multiple potential conclusions . That certainly suggests how one dimensional the plot was.
Yet I still kept watching . Why ? Well in the first 2 episodes I wanted to know who Ryan was. He clearly wasn't who or what he claimed from the outset. Once I'd made my mind I was wanting to see if my theory was correct.
A filler of a program when there's not a lot on. It's certainly an easy watch . I've given it 2 stars simply because overall ot entertained me.
It really is murder mystery by numbers. Its that bad that I guessed 100% who the protagonist was and why they were doing it . I also managed to guess the course of the final 10 minutes. It was almost comic to be honest . I'm not normally good at that and usually bounce between multiple potential conclusions . That certainly suggests how one dimensional the plot was.
Yet I still kept watching . Why ? Well in the first 2 episodes I wanted to know who Ryan was. He clearly wasn't who or what he claimed from the outset. Once I'd made my mind I was wanting to see if my theory was correct.
A filler of a program when there's not a lot on. It's certainly an easy watch . I've given it 2 stars simply because overall ot entertained me.
- daveditch-53291
- Feb 12, 2023
- Permalink
- iambillrichards
- Feb 12, 2023
- Permalink
- bryan-16440
- Mar 6, 2023
- Permalink
That is not a headline I ever expected to write. Channel 5 Have had a few attempts at making crime dramas in the past, but it's fair to say most haven't worked. In their defence they don't have the high financial backing of channels like Netflix or ITV but in the case of the catch, They have managed to pull off A really enjoyable four part drama based on the bestselling book by T. M. Lawrence.
It helps when you can get one of the countries current leading actors in Jason Watkins on board to play the lead role about a fisherman Who seemingly has a sinister past which he has kept hidden from his family for many years. This finally comes back to haunt him and this is the premise of the show.
The performances for all the cast are solid but it's a stunning glorious Cornwall coastline which is the real star of the show.
8/10.
It helps when you can get one of the countries current leading actors in Jason Watkins on board to play the lead role about a fisherman Who seemingly has a sinister past which he has kept hidden from his family for many years. This finally comes back to haunt him and this is the premise of the show.
The performances for all the cast are solid but it's a stunning glorious Cornwall coastline which is the real star of the show.
8/10.
- peterrichboy
- Feb 8, 2023
- Permalink
- mandygodbehear
- Feb 14, 2023
- Permalink
- nathanhogan-58651
- Mar 19, 2023
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I had no choice but to put on the subtitles, as the music background was swamping 50% of the dialogue.
And there was no need for the foul language. Are scriptwriters so lacking in vocabulary that they need to add such contamination?
The scenery and locations added much to the plot, and the general presentation was well above standard. Brenda did well as the dementia-stricken grandmother.
I'd say that the origination of Ryan was rather too obvious, and his story, once revealed as the plot unfolded, was no surprise.
Well done to the production team in concealing the location - carefully not showing any boats' sterns, where the harbour 'home' would have been visible.
And there was no need for the foul language. Are scriptwriters so lacking in vocabulary that they need to add such contamination?
The scenery and locations added much to the plot, and the general presentation was well above standard. Brenda did well as the dementia-stricken grandmother.
I'd say that the origination of Ryan was rather too obvious, and his story, once revealed as the plot unfolded, was no surprise.
Well done to the production team in concealing the location - carefully not showing any boats' sterns, where the harbour 'home' would have been visible.
- robdavistelford
- Mar 18, 2023
- Permalink
I'm sure it's very good. Anything with Jason Watkins in is good. He is such a good actor and his accent here is spot on. Unfortunately it's difficult to hear over the ridiculously loud music.
I've heard the book is very good and it will be great to see how this progresses.
Sadly at times the music is just so loud - what's the point of having it at that volume when it drowns out the dialogue.
Scenery is beautiful- scene and shows how beautiful coastal resorts in the UK and Ireland are. With life guard and Ed in the beach hut has boom boom boom music that drowns out the conversation. What happened?
It seems this is the norm for films and TV programmes these days. I need to find out who to complain to.
I've heard the book is very good and it will be great to see how this progresses.
Sadly at times the music is just so loud - what's the point of having it at that volume when it drowns out the dialogue.
Scenery is beautiful- scene and shows how beautiful coastal resorts in the UK and Ireland are. With life guard and Ed in the beach hut has boom boom boom music that drowns out the conversation. What happened?
It seems this is the norm for films and TV programmes these days. I need to find out who to complain to.
- danielleb1
- Feb 16, 2023
- Permalink
I read the book which wasn't great and this is worse. It amazes me that they get pretty good acting talent who must all be wincing at the accents they deliver their very poor dialogue in. I like several actors here but I felt sorry for them to be honest. The characters are really flat and the story just doesn't flow. Brenda Fricker wanders about providing some low level peril which is just irrelevant and feels like filler, much like the luckless George and lots of other peripheral characters who have no purpose or character. No one speaks like these folks, and it's just a comedy accent which makes every sentence sound like a Two Ronnies sketch. Give it a miss, and probably don't read the book either which wasn't much better.
- Drumcheeny
- Oct 29, 2023
- Permalink
This series passes the time, but is full of predictable, and implausible things. The last half hour, in particular, is a ticklist of bad film/TV cliches. It is set in Cornwall but filmed in Ireland, and the makers are careless with background detail and accents that betray that fact. Characterisation is mostly two dimensional, and acting mediocre. Actions taken by several characters are often some combination of stupid, implausible or self-contradictory as to their motives. Channel 5 have commissioned several series like this, and they all suffer from the same faults. For all this, it's watchable if your expectations are not high.
- jeremy-benjamin
- Oct 29, 2023
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The acting is sub-par. Characters do unrealistic things when faced with realistic situaitons. The setting is pleasant and the drone camera work makes the coast look beautiful. It doesn't make fishing look very desirable as a career, but I guess that's just the state of the world today.
There's nothing new here at all. Very predictable, the wife and I guessed the twist in episode 1. They gave away too many clues so the big reveal wasn't a surprise at all. You'll get more twists and turns in an episode of midsummer murders and that's the length of just one of these episodes. Save yourself the time.
There's nothing new here at all. Very predictable, the wife and I guessed the twist in episode 1. They gave away too many clues so the big reveal wasn't a surprise at all. You'll get more twists and turns in an episode of midsummer murders and that's the length of just one of these episodes. Save yourself the time.
- blackbirdben
- Oct 11, 2023
- Permalink
This series is terrible. It's nothing like the book, which was so much more gripping and a lot less predictable than this programme. The characters are all unlikeable, the acting is terrible, the dialogue is awful and the storyline is different to the story told by T. M Logan, and not in a good way. I agree that with the other reviews in saying it was long drawn out and could have been condensed into a film or 2 part drama. I don't really have any positive things to say, unfortunately. Even Jason Watkins can't save this series. Such a shame as I was really excited to watch the portrayal of a book I enjoyed reading!
- nataliebracken
- Oct 9, 2023
- Permalink
I recently read the book of this story which is absolutely excellent, but this tv dramatisation uses a completely different setting and changes elements of the story. I've no idea why they have strayed from the original as I can't see any way how they thought this would be an improvement,
It only serves to make the characters less believable and less likeable.
The boyfriend is also nothing like the suave character in the book, which again just doesn't make sense, to be honest it's all just very odd.
Do yourself a favour and just read the book instead, it's far more captivating and enjoyable.
It only serves to make the characters less believable and less likeable.
The boyfriend is also nothing like the suave character in the book, which again just doesn't make sense, to be honest it's all just very odd.
Do yourself a favour and just read the book instead, it's far more captivating and enjoyable.