Finders Keepers (2024) User Reviews

Very watchable.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 19 February 2024]

Detectorist Martin Stone takes his son in law to be out on a bonding exercise, the pair stumble upon a hugely valuable find, under UK they can't keep it, but they have other ideas, their efforts to sell it lead to major problems.

I really enjoyed this series, the first two episodes are quite amiable, quite light viewing, the third episode however gives us a massive twist, and changes the whole dynamic of the show, transforming it into a thriller.

There's a bit of everything round on here, some intrigue, some tension and definitely a few moments of humour.

This has really been unfairly maligned, and once again I feel as though some or the reviews are based on ten minutes of so, on the whole this was actually quite a good production.

Neil Morrissey is great as Martin, he leads a very capable cast, Brendan Coyle is very good, but not in it for very long.

Definitely watchable.

7/10.

Strong cast and enjoyable Winter viewing

[JRB-NorthernSoul · 5/10 · 18 January 2024]

From the creator of 'The Good Karma Hospital' this new series also has a feel good beat underpinning the drama. There's a strong cast led by comedy stalwarts Neil Morrisey (Ageing ever so well) and James Buckley.

But don't be deceived by the comedy opening there are some very dark deeds ahead about to be uncovered...

This is a decent middle of the road comedy/drama written for a wide audience with lots of nice twists and turns that'll keep you guessing. If that sounds like your boat jump on board, the four episodes will fly by.

Had some nice touches with the supporting characters and actors too. Not going to blow your socks off or win any Bafta's but an easy watch.

Started ok and went downhill fast

[nrtwrcbkv · 6/10 · 25 January 2024]

Thought this might be good looking at cast list. Not sure if it was a comedy after watching 1st episode then storyline went downhill. Especially the rocky character. Far too much swearing when not needed, I mean why say the "c" word" ? It was so not needed. Such a let down series, the woman who turned up at his house saying she was going to dig up his brothers field was so unconvincing, especially as she dissed him when he saw her. Rocky character is such a bad actor he is definitely going to be killed off. Stupid salsa classes and the fiancé being kidnapped was even more ridiculous.. and this is only 2 episodes in.

I take it all back as just seen the last episode, it's absolutely a brilliant ending. Didn't see that coming at all 😂. Roll on series 2!!

Hooray, people from London save everyone

[james-hughes-37 · 7/10 · 2 February 2024]

I really do get fed up with TV writers portraying anyone outside London as dumb, floundering idiots waiting to be saved by some almighty Londoner.

In this, the stupid local police are saved by a fantastic whizz detective from London. Without her they would not know any crime was committed, wouldn't have a clue how to investigate, or assist witnesses or victims.

As we actually know it is quite the reverse as other forces outside the Met lead on most aspects of crime.

Good storyline and acting, just ruined by these clichés in the writing which show the writers to be so wildly ignorant of anyone in the Shires.

Good series

[AMAZINGzingzing · 7/10 · 30 January 2024]

I Saw the trailer's for this series and wasn't impressed, I thought it would be dull and formulaic

I was wrong,it's actually a very decent show, and it's also not woke

Although the story is predictable it is still enjoyable,the acting is also decent, not amazing but not rubbish either

What I love about this series is the pacing,the show never lingers on one scene for too long, it also doesn't bore the viewer with the usual tedious relationship problems, or clichéd lines ,it is quite fast paced without much unnecessary fluff

Neil Morrisey is great in this , very believable

The only thing I dislike about This series is Buckley, he plays the exact same " awight geeza mate " character as he did in the Inbetweeners,

He's very annoying and over exaggerated, I'm sure there were hundreds of other actors who could have elevated this series, Buckley however brings it down.he should stick to doing adverts or possibly join Hollyoaks, that's all he's capable of.

It's okay, but...

[okultteknology · 6/10 · 20 January 2024]

It's a blatant ripoff, and we all know of what, don't we?

Casting is fine (except for Neil Morrissey, as he's always creeped me out), dialogue is fine, cinematography is fine, blah blah.

It's fine, it's just the blatant-ness of the ripped-offed-ness is so up in your face that it utterly detracts from everything else.

Perhaps it would be less problematic if everything wasn't just "fine".

Don't you find that the minimum character count on IMBD reviews these days is utterly ridiculous, and that if you did use an AI app to create one, it'd be less problematic? I didn't use an AI, and I'm struggling, TBF. Oh, wait, passed the limit.

Good but not wonderful

[daveditch-53291 · 6/10 · 23 March 2024]

Overall an entertaining mini series worth watching once . The cast performed well and the storyline , although implausible at points was generally engaging and entertaining. The reasons for not scoring it higher are based aroind the script and plot . Whilst entertaining , bits of it were almost waiting to get going on a more involved and new tack. The kidnap , the very rich collector and the missing business partner to name just three. The portrayal of the police and some other aspects , were with a sort of comic edge but not wildly funny and it left you wondering is this trying to be comedy or drama because it didn't really sit comfortably with the level of mix.

Despite this it was definitely entertaining .

What a load of tosh

[dunna-46562 · 3/10 · 2 February 2024]

Started off well enough but went downhill fast.

Things must be bad when you actually ask yourself if it's actually a comedy such are some of the farcical scenes and characters, then you realise it's not, it's a so called drama.

Treasure worth half a million and thousands of years old lurking just a few inches below the surface, and when cleaned up, looking like stuff you'd find in a charity shop.

Quirky characters, none more so than the police officers that wouldn't look out of place in The Thin Blue Line....which is a comedy of course, and menacing hard men that were....well actually they weren't.

Neil Morrisey and Faye Ripley are fine actors but this series did them no favours at all.

How Y'all Doin?

[bwmcg · 6/10 · 1 February 2024]

I note that Fay Ripley is the latest to abandon traditional dialogue for a bastardised American version.

I couldn't believe it when she said "For God's sakes", yes with an 's' on sake. At least the English version means something, the Americanism is nonsensical. Why do we pander to potential American audiences? And what's so great about America that we have to copy everything they do?

Next thing we know she'll be washing diapers under the faucet. Take a look in the 'meer' Fay, you're English.

As for the show itself, once again a thin plot line is padded out to 6? Episodes that could easily have been 4 ............Yawn......... zzzzzz(ok...Felt like 6).

Like Adam Faith said... "Channel 5..."

[laughorlove · 2/10 · 2 February 2024]

A fairly promising start makes way for a ludicrous penultimate episode followed by a finale with more holes in the plot than could be reasonably expected from a drama about detectorists.

At best, it's daytime tv fodder but with lots of swearing added to make it seem like it's a show for grown ups.

Was it supposed to be a comedy?

The actors, at least the most recognisable ones, all should know better but seemingly don't care; take the money & run?

One actor in particular should be ashamed of wasting his talent & performing to type as requested by the producers whims. If he's reading this, he'll know what I'm referring to (three languages & all you did was squeak!).

Even the music, apparently from Alabama 3, alternates between sounding like Last of the Summer Wine & a cheap horror movie with an obtrusive harmonica score one moment & a creepy organ the next.

Truly dreadful & a complete waste of time.

Quirky drama

[madeleinewilliams-24378 · 8/10 · 6 February 2024]

I thoroughly enjoyed this series, quite different to the average drama. It starts off gently but intriguing, with may be not the best dialogue or acting times but with humour. Then it takes a sudden turn to something very dark. There are many twists and turns and quite unexpected events but then back to normal family life. The characters play their parts well. Even when you can see the possible outcome, things suddenly change and it keeps you guessing. I wouldn't say it is a gripping drama but enjoyable and certainly held my interest. Also it was only four episodes which I think is a bonus. I would recommend it for its quirkiness. Well done to the author and the actors. I loved it.

Unbelievable rubbish.

[daviddunn-90653 · 1/10 · 1 February 2024]

There was a good drama waiting to be unleashed here......unfortunately it was just so incredibly far fetched it became more of a comedy than a drama. Unbelievable situations, just stuff that wouldnt happen in real life. I was going to give up after 2 episodes but i decided just to see it through and i wish i hadnt. The final episode was so ludicrous, as if we were meant to believe situations like that could even happen.

The police force was made up of incompetent officers, like something out of Hot Fuzz. As the final episode came to a close it was all wrapped up so quickly. The police had lost interest in a murder and stolen goods. And life carried on as normal. The end credits rolled and I realised I had lost 3 hours of my life that i will never get back again.

I have seen better!

[lewis-23805 · 1/10 · 25 January 2024]

Where shall I start with this one it's not bad it's just not great. I found the storyline very unbelievable....................................

To start we have James Buckley who has basically regurgitated Jay from inbetweeners and it got worse from there. Dodgy antique dealers with bodyguards, two stupid cops that reminded me of security guards more at home as clowns in a circus.

Then there is Rocky who is the bad guy that knows people and that brings me to Neil. He's a good guy that is all about the history and then gets persuaded in about 5 seconds by his daughter's dimwit boyfriend to sell the hoard on the black market really.

Do yourself a favour and watch Detectorist's instead.............

Tedious Drama

[joolzwilson-54750 · 2/10 · 29 January 2024]

Gave up halfway through second episod. Tedious drama with a weak storyline, bad acting performances and unnecessary foul language which added nothing to the drama. The 'F word' I can tollerate, the 'C word' I cannot and it gets used a few times within minutes in the second episode and that was the final nail in the coffin for me.

Looking at the cast I had expected more and I'm surprised Fay Ripley took on the role, maybe she's hoping an appearance might lead to more significant roles in the future.

If a drama has a relatively weak script but a great execution it can get by, but Finders Keepers is extremely dull which makes it simply a chore to sit through..

Twists and turns.

[plan99 · 8/10 · 2 February 2024]

Some reviewers have the opinion that the plot was unrealistic, if they are referring to the find not being declared and an attempt made to sell it illegally, then that part is based on a real event, in 2019 two men were jailed for not declaring a Viking hoard with an estimated value of £12m.

The sweary and violent baddie was a bit cartoonish and was added no doubt for "dramatic reasons" but this is not a documentary, and no mention was made of it being based on a real event, even if it was.

It's to be hoped that this drama will put some crooked treasure hunters off not declaring, but it probably won't.

Unnecessary

[Tricycle_Thief · 1/10 · 2 February 2024]

The swearing is unnecessary. The minor deviations to the plot don't add anything and are unnecessary. Some of the stereotyping of characters is unnecessary. The whole plots seem unnecessary.

I watched Ep. 1 in trepidation: it didn't have the warms of The Detectorists or even the hint of magic.

Ep. 2 started to bore me and annoy me in equal measure. The characterisations seemed grotesquely hollow but also inflated - such as the brother in law farmer and the bent 'fence'. The comedic elements weren't ridiculously funny like in Mackenzie Crook's masterpieces where the double takes are sometimes cripplingly hilarious. And the plot is stodgily predictable . . or maybe it has a twist, but TBH I stopped watching it when all the obscenities started flying. I won't be reprising it, ever.

So much promise but no treasure

[catdecarle · 2/10 · 11 February 2024]

I was very excited to watch this mini series. It had so much promise....treasure hunting under the gaze of Glastonbury Tor. The first episode was not too disappointing but the excessive use of the F word and the incredibly irritating music slightly detracted from what looked like a winner. From then on the series just went downhill...ridiculous storylines, cardboard characters and disappointing acting - James Buckley is a sham of an actor! The final episode was beyond ridiculous - the changes of the personalities from happy, family folk to evil killers made me want to scream. A dark comedy or gritty drama - neither. Give it a wide berth and watch Detectorists (again)!

Implausible and excessively violent

[SamuelPickwick · 4/10 · 14 February 2024]

Sadly, the criticisms made by many of the other reviewers are valid.

This series starts off well with an intriguing first episode, the finding of a Saxon treasure hoard and the decision of what to do with it, with some touches of humour. But then it deteriorates rapidly, the story becoming increasingly ridiculous and implausible in the remaining three episodes. There's also quite a lot of rather gruesome violence. I'm not so bothered by the bad language, I suppose I've got used to that.

One other thing I don't like about it, which is quite common in TV dramas these days, is the sexism. The male characters are mostly either stupid, unpleasant, dishonest or violent. This includes the main character Martin (Neil Morrisey), his potential son-in-law, the men who help them deal with the treasure, and the policemen. The women, however, for example Martin's wife and daughter and the policewoman, are virtuous and intelligent.

Excellent black comedy drama

[keith-618 · 8/10 · 5 April 2024]

Excellent acting all round. Neil Morrissey in particular plays his part to perfection. The writing is subtle - it could have been hammy. Of course the plot is increasingly implausible but that's when the black humour comes more to the fore. The story reaches a level of dark absurdity in the last couple of episodes which makes it all the more enjoyable. Judging by some of the reviews it would appear that some people didn't realise the program was a dark comedy so entirely missed the point. The series is set in Somerset and there are some glorious drone shots of the Glastonbury Tor and its tower.

Watchable

[pookieblondie · 5/10 · 21 February 2024]

Well if there's nothing else to watch this is entertaining enough but it's not brilliant .

First of all you are highly unlikely to find items which are a thousand years old buried so close to the surface of a field! It starts off well and I would say the first two episodes are quite good and engaging . However the final episode was slightly ridiculous . You would have to be the dumbest criminal on the planet to murder someone and simply place their body in the garden shed . Equally you wouldn't hide the murder weapon in a filing cabinet. I know you have to suspend reality a little bit when you are watching fiction however if all criminal cases were finalised like this one was, imagine how many miscarriages of justice there would be . It was just a little bit silly and ultimately disappointing.