I just finished 22 episodes in 4 days. As I am nearing the end of the final episode, I am expecting something to happen that pulls everything together in a nice simple package. What I got was more questions. I appears that it was canceled after season three aired. The audience is left with a boatload of unresolved questions and a cliffhanger. I hate it when that happens.
23 Reviews
Not for everyone
gibbo-772051 July 2021
I have read the incredibly bad reviews and don't understand them. One possible explanation is that they are from people associated with bland soaps like Neighbours and Home & Away.
Another more likely explanation is that we all have different tastes.
This is dark and gritty. I thought the acting was excellent and the storylines imaginative. The dialogue was well written and again I don't understand the negative reviews.
The name is perfect - what a tangled mess it becomes. I loved Justine Clark's character and her secret.
There are dark undertones that run through this series and Ben Mendelssohn plays his reprehensible character brilliantly. The teenage and child actors are excellent.
Don't listen to the negative reviews - make up your own mind.
Another more likely explanation is that we all have different tastes.
This is dark and gritty. I thought the acting was excellent and the storylines imaginative. The dialogue was well written and again I don't understand the negative reviews.
The name is perfect - what a tangled mess it becomes. I loved Justine Clark's character and her secret.
There are dark undertones that run through this series and Ben Mendelssohn plays his reprehensible character brilliantly. The teenage and child actors are excellent.
Don't listen to the negative reviews - make up your own mind.
Great
aussietraveler3 July 2021
A great Aussie show. Don't make your mind up if you like it or not until you watch. It's a great show with all the ups and downs of a dysfunctional lot who keep you watching while their lives and lies implode around them.
Fantastic show, throughly entertaining
p_parker4426 November 2009
Hats off to Southern Star on this series, so entertaining and the title is spot on :) What a tangled mess of relationships. Nothing flashy about the series just a gritty Australian drama following the lives of half a dozen families. Justine Clarke, Ben Mendelsohn and Kat Stewart are excellent. The first series has just finished and I really hope they bring it back for another one as it left on a bit of a cliffhanger. Shame it's not available for everyone to see on commercial TV but Channel 7, 9 or 10 would only wreck it with product placement and adverts.
Having missed all of Love My Way I'm glad we caught this one from the start.
Having missed all of Love My Way I'm glad we caught this one from the start.
Better than most; not really for kids or even teens.
scutfargus-14 May 2017
So far, I am about half way through the 2nd series.
There are things about this show which are excellent. Most of the Australian shows I have seen of this variety have some big events occurring early on, before we know who the characters are; and it often feels as if the writers cannot think of how to deal with day-to-day events, so they throw in a big event (or 2 or 3) and then write around that.
For most of the 1st series, this show avoided the "big events" and dealt with pretty much normal events in people's lives and their interactions. Most of the characters are interesting, as is the dialogue.
One plus that I would note in this show is, adultery is presented as being a devastating event to a marriage. I have seen several Australian shows where it is presented almost matter-of-factly.
A couple of warnings: most of the characters swear quite a bit, including speaking of God and Jesus Christ without any reverence. There is a fair amount of drug use/abuse (primarily drinking and smoking marijuana among the children and the adults). If I were to base my view of Australians on the shows I have seen, I would think that most people there smoke marijuana, but few get "hooked." And that nearly everyone swears.
I have often wondered if there are writers good enough in Australia to write shows where most of the people do not smoke dope and do not swear and do not commit adultery on a regular basis. If I were to make a guess, that is probably the majority of Australian people who are like that; but they are not generally portrayed that way on the shows that I have seen (I have primarily watched the "human drama" shows with high ratings).
The second series seems unfocused. Whereas, the first seemed to have an arc and some themes; the second series lacks one of the main characters; and seems to lack any sort of unifying theme. Also, the second series introduces some new characters, but, so far, it is not clear who they are or where they are going.
In short, it is a good show with some good writing and acting and some occasional great moments. It is not appropriate for teens (in my opinion) and you would never watch this with a church group.
For those familiar with Showtime or HBO, many Aussie shows seem to feel a need for a lot of sexual activity (I don't recall there being actual nudity), drug use, alcohol abuse, and swearing.
At this point, any disc set that you purchase will require a region free DVD player.
There are things about this show which are excellent. Most of the Australian shows I have seen of this variety have some big events occurring early on, before we know who the characters are; and it often feels as if the writers cannot think of how to deal with day-to-day events, so they throw in a big event (or 2 or 3) and then write around that.
For most of the 1st series, this show avoided the "big events" and dealt with pretty much normal events in people's lives and their interactions. Most of the characters are interesting, as is the dialogue.
One plus that I would note in this show is, adultery is presented as being a devastating event to a marriage. I have seen several Australian shows where it is presented almost matter-of-factly.
A couple of warnings: most of the characters swear quite a bit, including speaking of God and Jesus Christ without any reverence. There is a fair amount of drug use/abuse (primarily drinking and smoking marijuana among the children and the adults). If I were to base my view of Australians on the shows I have seen, I would think that most people there smoke marijuana, but few get "hooked." And that nearly everyone swears.
I have often wondered if there are writers good enough in Australia to write shows where most of the people do not smoke dope and do not swear and do not commit adultery on a regular basis. If I were to make a guess, that is probably the majority of Australian people who are like that; but they are not generally portrayed that way on the shows that I have seen (I have primarily watched the "human drama" shows with high ratings).
The second series seems unfocused. Whereas, the first seemed to have an arc and some themes; the second series lacks one of the main characters; and seems to lack any sort of unifying theme. Also, the second series introduces some new characters, but, so far, it is not clear who they are or where they are going.
In short, it is a good show with some good writing and acting and some occasional great moments. It is not appropriate for teens (in my opinion) and you would never watch this with a church group.
For those familiar with Showtime or HBO, many Aussie shows seem to feel a need for a lot of sexual activity (I don't recall there being actual nudity), drug use, alcohol abuse, and swearing.
At this point, any disc set that you purchase will require a region free DVD player.
Where is the ending
shayned-333725 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This show has so much potential, the end of season 3 isn't what you're supposed to do in script writing, there was no resolution we ended in the peak of the character arc, I found this show amazing but it's super unusual how it just ends like that, I feel like it got axed without the writers seeing it coming. Maybe a fallout with the producer? Such a shame as this could have been a 4 season show easily,
****Spoiler****
What happened to everyone after being arrested, did Tim come home, did they finish the final scene of the play? What about that whole police raid? Such an abrupt and unsatisfying "ending" someone should buy the rights of this show and make an epic season 4.
****Spoiler****
What happened to everyone after being arrested, did Tim come home, did they finish the final scene of the play? What about that whole police raid? Such an abrupt and unsatisfying "ending" someone should buy the rights of this show and make an epic season 4.
Great for Melbourne locals
harrowagenda2112 March 2023
We live 5km from where this was filmed in the posh suburbs of Kew and Abbotsford, to the east of Melbourne. These are generally affluent locations, with rightward-voting well heeled residents. The designer houses, Victorian architecture, and private schools and their chapels lent the series extra interest for locals like us. We liked the unravelling and deception of the main (white, this was before diversity expectations in casting) characters, as they behaved childishly (Nat), lustfully (almost all) and illegally (the teens, and Vince). The travails of a group of entitled adult parents paralleled the exploits of their teenage children.
Unbelievably unpleasant show
Laight24 January 2021
If your goal when watching tv is to have your worst world view confirmed, then this is the show for you. Everyone in it is nasty, cruel, and determined to hurt everyone around him or her. I found Tangle when it was recommended after watching the very superior A Place to Call Home, another Australian soap -- but one that's quite good. Tangle is a heap of terrible. The acting is atrocious, maybe not because the actors aren't good, but because all they're required to do is snipe at each other. Sometimes they can sneer. Other times they just grimace. And weirdly, they all want to sleep with each other, constantly. And they do. The show is also strangely, childishly, homophobic, as though the writers were all fourteen year old boys terrified of gay sex.
The show is proof that no matter how good the actor, a bad script can't be redeemed. The only possible redeeming factor in Tangle is that the kids are fairly well portrayed and acted. They're all terrible characters too, but at least you can see why: Their terrible parents. All in all, unless you're a total misanthrope, this is a show that is guaranteed to depress.
Great series but disappointed they cancelled with no conclusion
gigirosp11 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Slow and boring
qgmqqzh28 June 2021
Fantastic drama
kimmgould22 June 2021
I just caught all 3 series of this show on Netflix. How have I not seen it before? The ensemble cast is amazing, both the well known actors and also all the kids. Each character was well created and coherent through 22 episodes. One reviewer said they found all the characters unlikeable, that wasn't my experience at all.
The first series had a dark edge, driven by Ben Mendelsohn's character. That darkness disappeared in series 2 and most of series 3. I was worried it might lose its edge, but the 'tangle'of characters kept it tight and completely engaging. I assume they were planning another series, but the sudden ending wouldn't stop me from watching and thoroughly enjoying the whole complicated ride.
Great Aussie drama, well worth watching.
The first series had a dark edge, driven by Ben Mendelsohn's character. That darkness disappeared in series 2 and most of series 3. I was worried it might lose its edge, but the 'tangle'of characters kept it tight and completely engaging. I assume they were planning another series, but the sudden ending wouldn't stop me from watching and thoroughly enjoying the whole complicated ride.
Great Aussie drama, well worth watching.
More seasons, please?
rebeccagraywithana5 July 2021
I loved Tangle. The acting is superb, from the seasoned actors right through to the kids. Whoever cast this had their wits about them.
The show mirrors real life for some people, I can relate to some of the issues that were presented.
I have a question for the shows producers:
WHEN IS SEASON FOUR??
Keep going guys!
Please give us more seasons.
The show mirrors real life for some people, I can relate to some of the issues that were presented.
I have a question for the shows producers:
WHEN IS SEASON FOUR??
Keep going guys!
Please give us more seasons.
Great series
lisavinnicombe30 August 2021
Really loved this. Ben M was at his best arrogant, misogynistic, racist self but terribly funny and entertaining and kicked it off nicely. The kids were the best actors, especially Romeo, who really developed so much throughout the series.
Only criticism - very white, very middle class, very heterosexual. A bit bland in that regard.
Only criticism - very white, very middle class, very heterosexual. A bit bland in that regard.
Great but highly immoral
sjaraalmonte4 July 2022
Enjoyable show for adults. The characters are at times unbelievably stupid, but the acting and inter-twining of families, friends, etc keeps it engaging. I do think there are way too many sex-related situations involving the teenagers in this show-some very graphic situations I found disturbing. Definitively would not let my kids under 18 watch this!
What a load of tosh
aussielozza8 July 2021
I found this show repulsive in the extreme. Highly unlikeable characters which is a shame as the cast are mostly brilliant actors but watching this load of tosh made me feel ill. Admittedly I gave up at the end of episode 2 as I couldnt stomach any more.
Painful, predictable and Slow
nrlstats17 August 2021
If you are apart of the actor's guild then this is a great show. If however you are not related or know someone in the production it is terrible. Slow very slow almost in reverse. Big ideas very poorly executed. If you have trouble sleeping put this on and off you sleep land you go.
wine and wine and more wine
lembit-127312 August 2021
I enjoyed the first series. Justine, Ben are very good.
But going into the second series, i was reminded how just about every scene has become either 1. Pouring and drinking wine
or
2. Mobile phones ringing/buzzing.
Or
3. Lead-ins into bonking
The never-ending, pouring and drinking wine in just about every scene finally turned me off watching it further.
But going into the second series, i was reminded how just about every scene has become either 1. Pouring and drinking wine
or
2. Mobile phones ringing/buzzing.
Or
3. Lead-ins into bonking
The never-ending, pouring and drinking wine in just about every scene finally turned me off watching it further.
Nat or Ally?
mosquitobite14 July 2021
Who did i want to most intensely kill?
Toss up.
All the young characters were good & the only reason for watching.
Could have happily machine gunned all the laughably lame brained root rat "grown ups".
"Ive got more important things to do than drive you to school"
No mum, you don't.
Toss up.
All the young characters were good & the only reason for watching.
Could have happily machine gunned all the laughably lame brained root rat "grown ups".
"Ive got more important things to do than drive you to school"
No mum, you don't.
Highly immoral and hopefully it's not the true depiction Aussie society
najamss9 February 2023
As few other reviewers mentioned it's an immoral tv show. As an immigrant in Australia, I hope it's not the true picture of the white Australians' culture. Why I mentioned White Australians because they are only ones who are shown in this show.
Anyway character building was nice. Nat and her son Max were the most annoying characters though but I believe they performed well for their not likeable personalities. My fav character was Gigi. She was the best. It was treat to watch her acting. Romeo did well too.
In the end, this show is about brats and irresponsible parents. I hate when teens say, "I don't know." 🙂
Anyway character building was nice. Nat and her son Max were the most annoying characters though but I believe they performed well for their not likeable personalities. My fav character was Gigi. She was the best. It was treat to watch her acting. Romeo did well too.
In the end, this show is about brats and irresponsible parents. I hate when teens say, "I don't know." 🙂
Grows on you
jleeharris-3699112 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Once i realized there were no likable characters the episodes.got better. I kept trying to find redemption in anyone, but quickly gave up. The worst two people are Vince, who get killed off and Nat, The kids are brats and the parents are worse. Everyone is sleeping with everyone, even the kids. Somewhat entertaining, but the series doesn't have a conclusion and just leave you hanging.
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