Little Birds

I thoroughly enjoyed this short and spicy series. Everything about it feels grand, some might find it too cheesy and/or weird, shocking, whatever, and I'd understand. I don't know the original short stories but that might actually be helpful. Clearly, it's not everyone's cup of tea but the abysmal rating is completely undeserved.

This production mainly concentrates on style and quirk rather than substance. I am not familiar with the source material, and was mainly watching this out of interest as I had heard of it, but I would have thought this aspect was in keeping. Just taking it on its own terms it had an off-beat quirky feel which I liked. Initially, all the characters are presented somewhat superficially and many of them simply as caricatures in an exercise in style. However, as times goes on some of them break out of this and become more interesting and engaging. One cares what is going to happen to them. Some continue as caricatures but are there to be played off or as a backdrop for the more rounded characters. The ambience of an apparently decadent Tangiers of the time sets off the characters perfectly.

There is definitely a story arc and character development. I cannot understand the reviews denying this. I can only presume they didn't watch the whole series.

I can understand the gratuitous quirk and eroticism putting some people off early on, although this element is surely clear from the trailers and description so not sure why they would be watching it in the first place. If it does not put you off then I would definitely recommend watching this to the end before making up one's mind. It is not brilliant or profound but has charm and I think it all makes sense as a whole.

Excellent show with strong female characters and a gripping plot. Thought provoking and powerful. 10/10

It's not worth the watch unless you're simply trying to kill time. The trailer looked amazing, yet the whole thing was very anti-climactic and underwhelming. Not much that means anything actually happens. I see what they tried to do and it just didn't quite work. Visually it's nice to look at, the colours, contextual setting, backdrop and clothes. The erotic element is also intriguing, but its not enough to carry the show, which doesn't really make sense. There is not enough character development of the main characters and lots of caricature acting/portrayal of the characters - have to assume it's intentional but didn't stop me cringing. Also, there are lots of subplots littered all over that aren't developed properly. The whole thing is a bit all over the place with a few "taboo" and kink scenes to shock or titillate... but most didn't really make sense or help advance the story. Overall it was just nonsense, then more nonsense upon nonsense. Could have been a really good drama, but sadly fell flat.

I tried watching ep 1 and despite alot of eye candy sets and costumes, I got bored half way through. But about a month later, I tried it again and to my surprise I actually started to enjoy the mysterious characters and storyline. Plus I've been Juno Temple fan for a long time now, she's a bizarre gal, with a strange, unfamiliar type of beauty and quite a versatile actress. So I give this a 6 because of the story and liking Juno, and make it a seven for the really lovely eye candy of the sets and costumes. :D.