I really liked the first episode of this series. Makes me want to watch more. Taylor is tormented. He has a good heart, we feel he is a good person, yet he has demons. Alcoholism runs in his family. We try to keep it in the family, he sarcastically says. His mother is not nice at all, and he asks the question why does your closest ones always know how to find your weaknesses,, where to look for faults. Maybe because they put them there, is his answer. Jack cares for the outcasts, the betrodden, maybe because he sees himself in them.
Episode one starts with Jack being fired from the force when he is drunk on patrol and stops a car driving a cabinet minister and proceeds to punch the cabinet minister in the face. It's all over the local news. Then a beautiful woman approaches him and asks him to find her missing daughter. This amazing woman he admits is out of his league, but she awakes something in him, a drive. I won't spoil your viewing only to say I enjoyed this first episode.
34 Reviews
Strong start, and then....
saffron1922 July 2019
Even though the plots are a bit farfetched and Jack Taylor's drunken character was getting a bit wearisome, Iain Glen's appeal and the local setting kept me watching until Episode 7, "The Cross." Even though Taylor rarely uses a gun, the new opening credits ("Bang, bang,") should have been a clue that something was amiss and seemed to have been made for a different show.. The plot was ridiculous, even for Jack Taylor standards, and then inexplicably, the Kate Noonan character is replaced, not only with a new actress (zero chemistry, forced icky kiss) but with a contrived subplot. Best episode is #3 -- "The Magdalen Martyrs," worth watching as a stand-alone unit, full of real-life horror, intrigue and pathos. Not surprising that the series seems to have a died a natural death.
This is not your idealistic, admirable sleuth.
nancyldraper11 October 2018
This is not your idealistic, admirable sleuth. Quite the contrary. But he is diligent, intuitive and relentless. Murder and mystery shrouded in darkness and an alcoholic haze. Iain Glen leads a good cast with good performances. The stories are not complex and you may get ahead of Jack as he solves them, but, all in all, its a good watch. I give this series an 8 (good) out of 10. {Criminal Mystery}
Great and relaxing
matijamajdanac8 February 2018
Why? Why?
ronaldalamascus-9050615 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
What is with the 3rd season? It's just awful! The first two seasons were very good but in season 3, Kate is now a different actress with a completely different personality which is not particularly likable. And the relationship between her and Jack has gone from one of mutual respect and admiration with a touch of reserved cool to a full fledged let's hop in the sack at every opportunity. And the stories themselves have taken on a violent, dark tenor completely missing from the first two installments (thank goodness). Not sure what Einstein made these decisions but it didn't work. No wonder it didn't go any further.
Arrrrr Jack lad
daxyla-490806 January 2019
I enjoyed the series but less so as it went on. Familiarity breeds contempt and all that. The big question is why did Jack turn into some sort of pirate voice during the course of it.
There's good supporting cast to back Iain Glen up and the show has the story arc punctuated with the discredited policeman issues to keep you interested, however it just ultimately feels a bit too contrived and a bit too repetitive. Ultimately I lost empathy with his functioning alcoholic character at the half way point.
But for a late night binge it isn't so bad
Fun to watch
lordfiras28 November 2020
The series is amazing, simple , great acting, interesting police work. What is so annoying is that no one believes him until they face the truth that he is always right. Jack Taylor has morals, dignity and sympathy which makes him the best Gard you wana meet.
Somewhat Inconsistent
AJ_Blanc18 September 2018
As far as police dramas go, this one sets itself apart in many ways, but primarily in how damaged the main character is. Ian does a terrific job as Jack, but he makes it very difficult to root for at times; which is ok once or twice in a show like this, but not as often as here IMHO.
The writing was overall quite good and gritty, however the chemistry between the characters took a nose-dive when Noonan was replaced by another actress. Not sure why the change occurred, and they all did as well as they could with what they were given, but between the lack of internal development with Jack and the unfortunate casting change without adjusting the role as to create a better segue, it's not too surprising how short lived the show ended up being.
Having said that, the characters were interesting, for the most part, and the plots were unique-enough to carry each episode on its own. The entire show could be comfortably watched over a weekend.
The writing was overall quite good and gritty, however the chemistry between the characters took a nose-dive when Noonan was replaced by another actress. Not sure why the change occurred, and they all did as well as they could with what they were given, but between the lack of internal development with Jack and the unfortunate casting change without adjusting the role as to create a better segue, it's not too surprising how short lived the show ended up being.
Having said that, the characters were interesting, for the most part, and the plots were unique-enough to carry each episode on its own. The entire show could be comfortably watched over a weekend.
A nice one indeed!
sirasychra11 November 2018
If you are bored of the full shoot out and unreal stories, this is definitely for you. I loved it and the cast was really a pleasant surprise. It is a small miniseries located in Ireland and shows stories related to crime. I would say watch it to find out more, you won't regret it!
Irish detective.
clt_james22 July 2020
Jack Taylor based on the book series is a detective styled show starring a fiery character living in Galway, Ireland.
The tv series incorporates a movie style show with continuity between episodes, but does follow the books closely. It's an exciting show and offers grit and drama with some violent scenes, and an ongoing connection between the lead and an apprentice wannabe private investigator.
Great series for rainy day
user101010101017 November 2020
Really enjoying this series. Yes, it is somewhat cliche as some reviewers have pointed out, but it is highly engaging with unique storylines apart from the fact most of them seem to involve suicides that aren't suicides in some way or other.
Only up to episode 6, and thought I'd see what others thought, and was surprised by how little attention this series has received considering it is highly watchable (apart from the cringy lines that today's shows wouldn't get away with PC wise)
Only up to episode 6, and thought I'd see what others thought, and was surprised by how little attention this series has received considering it is highly watchable (apart from the cringy lines that today's shows wouldn't get away with PC wise)
Once a Guard....
wackydsquaredv29 July 2020
Good show but needs more shots of the dragons. Jorah has cured his grayscale and taken a break from filming Game of Thrones in Ireland. During this time he has tried his hand at policing but that ended when he punched a local politician. While he waits for safe passage back to Mereen he's persuaded by a worried mother to help find her missing daughter.
Started off well, then just became silly in parts
macbrian-0742926 July 2018
Not sure where to begin. I like Iain Glen as an actor, but the accent is dodgy. Good opening episodes, but then became very cliched. He gets a younger sidekick eventually - think Scrappy Doo being added to Scooby - who in turn is replaced by someone even more irritating - with a dodgy Mancunian accent. Overall pleasing, but stretches credulity at times.
An awesome Irishman for a Scot!
cmduffy17 August 2019
One of the best crimes ever!
astridjmeling8 December 2019
jack taylor
jamesmcmanimm-3453718 December 2018
In spite of several cliches, still catchy to follow
BeneCumb22 March 2022
At present, the so-called locality series are well known, but 10+ years ago their number was not so big. Here, we see Galway in its glory and misery (mostly the latter), meaning that the venue is a solid supporting cast, emphasizing the gravity of crimes and the demons of the main characters...
Ian Glen is great, with Killian Scott and Nora-Jane Noone also pleasantly creating multiple giggling moments and thus adding rays to gloominess (well, I was not too happy with their replacements in Season 3, so I regard this season weaker than 1 and 2).
The cases are not evenly meaty and interesting, but even you can guess the wrongdoer, the other events add sophisticated nuances; thus, Jack Taylor episodes are not just about solving the case, but providing multi-layered perceptions of Galway and its inhabitants, mostly of those with several issues, including related to physical and mental health. Living in a periphery in bad weather and booze available is often challenging...
Ian Glen is great, with Killian Scott and Nora-Jane Noone also pleasantly creating multiple giggling moments and thus adding rays to gloominess (well, I was not too happy with their replacements in Season 3, so I regard this season weaker than 1 and 2).
The cases are not evenly meaty and interesting, but even you can guess the wrongdoer, the other events add sophisticated nuances; thus, Jack Taylor episodes are not just about solving the case, but providing multi-layered perceptions of Galway and its inhabitants, mostly of those with several issues, including related to physical and mental health. Living in a periphery in bad weather and booze available is often challenging...
Good Rollicking Fun!
ronaldalamascus-9050612 November 2021
This series is like a good action adventure much in the vein of Clive Cussler or even old American westerns with heroes who are deeply flawed and pathetic one minute and an almost superhuman kick ass take names hero the next. Jack Taylor has terrible taste in women, ignores the heroine who adores him and can't hold his booze or control his emotions. He is lovable and exasperating all in the same scene and neither he nor the other characters are one bit believable. If you are looking for authenticity, this ain't it. But, if you want pure mindless entertainment and that feeling that you can identify with the main character and be a good person that gets their licks in more often than not, this is the series for you.
Series Great up to The Cross
dloperchiro15 December 2018
Nothing new, still amazing show and main character
veo28 November 2021
We've seen it all before: he is an ex-cop who is now a hard-drinking private detective, and he is also a cynical tough guy but who secretly has a big heart and reads a lot. Even the Jack Taylor name itself is a very common name. Still the show is so good, you'll never see it as clicheistic. I dont know its secret; maybe it's the amazing chemistry between the character and the actor, maybe it's the good source materials (the novels). Anyway, it got me through the COVID madness and lockdown and that's something.
Really like the show
adamxyzzy-506324 December 2018
Once a guard....
LordOfTheThundercats13 June 2019
Good show but needs more shots of the dragons. Jorah has cured his greyscale and taken a break from filming Game of Thrones in Ireland. During this time he has tried his hand at policing but that ended after he punched a local politician. While he waits for safe passage back to Mereen he's persuaded by a worried mother to help look for her missing daughter.
Adult themes with childish plots
watf-711448 November 2018
The first episode started ok but since then it has become farcical.
They are a number of problems with the show and I will mention just a few.
Firstly the running time- the 1hr 30min running time isn't enough to flesh out the stories, It means that every deduction made by JT is correct, and every situation he gets into leads somewhere.
The stories seem to be written for the mind of male teen dreamers. There seems to be no repercussions to his actions. JT smokes like a chimney, gets absolutely wasted at every opportunity and wears the same clothes every day and yet can seemingly do the job better than anyone else but also feels he can treat everyone else like second rate citizens. It also seems that bad breath , alcohol stupor and BO is what women in Ireland want as he seems to sleep with attractive women of all ages, married and single. Most with a lot to lose but willing to give it up for him. Finally and despite the fact that he has been involved in various shootings or been found alone with murder victims, it seems the police have given up the ghost in taking any action. He wanders in and out of secure police situations without any consequences.
I am sure this programme would have been a hit 30+years ago where action not thought was needed for many programmes, but more is needed by audiences and stories need to make some sort of sense.
Not horrible, just terribly repetitibe
mmajaski1 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
It isn't a bad series, but every episode seems to follow a formula and have all the same elements in it. People are stonewalling him, He beats someone up, someone abducts him and for some reason just beats him up a bit and then for some reason lets him go one or more times. The guards won't help him, he drinks a lot.
It isn't a bad show at all, but every episode seems so similar it just gets long.
It isn't a bad show at all, but every episode seems so similar it just gets long.
Weak story
aitsh27 May 2019
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