River (TV Mini Series) Episode #1.1 (2015) User Reviews

An excellent debut for this great series.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 26 March 2016]

River was one of the shows that I've had on standby ready to watch, at the time it felt like there were too many good serials on, especially as Nicola Walker was in two at the same time (Unforgiven.)

So I've finally watched episode 1, it follows the story of DI John River, a DI who is grieving the recent murder of his colleague, DS Stevenson (Stevie.) What makes River different is that he can see dead people, including Stevie. All those around him consider him to be somewhat of a crank, as he talks to the dead around him.

A very unusual format, it's been a while since we've had such a quirky Police detective show, but this works incredibly well. The filming and camera work is fantastic, it is so imaginative and slick.

Stellan Skarsgård and Nicola Walker in particular both excellent. I am hoping there is a lot more to come from the wonderful Eddie Marsan. I can already see the amount of menace he's going to add, his character is one dark, shady guy!!

I got a little confused trying to guess who was dead around him and who wasn't, but I absolutely loved this debut episode. That good, it's almost poetic.

9/10

Totally Original

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 29 August 2016]

In the first episode of this brief series, we are introduced to River. At first is seems that he is traveling around with a partner. They kibitz and joke. He seems overly serious and she is vivacious and little tiresome. As things develop, he spots a car and a suspect. He chases the man, and to avoid being apprehended, he tries to go over the side of a building. He grasps a sign standard, but can't maintain his grip and falls to his death. We are now made aware that the people River sees are spirits or apparitions or entirely in his muddled brain. His partner has died and he is filled with angst. Also, the man he chased, while highly suspicious, may not be what he appears. River is investigating the case of pretty young woman who is dead and her supposed killer in prison. These specters show up all the time, and River must confront them. The key issue is the retrieval of the body of what appears to be a murder victim. River carries on conversations with these "people." But he is still full of guilt about the young man who actually appears to him an pleads his innocence. I look forward to the next offering.

Great start

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 8/10 · 2 June 2021]

I can't believe I didn't see this some 6 years ago when it was shown on BBC.

The earthly likeable Nichola Walker always gets my attention, naff 80s music and a Scandinavian copper but is he supposed to be?

Then there are the Randall And Hopkirk moments with a murdered detective coming back to assist her partner as he grieves the loss of his only friendly.

Love it.