Taken Down (2018) User Reviews

First 3 Eps were good but I wouldn't recommend

[bigrenz1 · 6/10 · 13 September 2021]

I liked the first 3 eps because I hadn't seen anything about Refugees in Ireland. Aside from that, the plot was full of unanswered questions and it didn't develop characters very well at all. Last 3 eps were a drag and then they wrapped up the entire 5 and a half episode build up in the last 10mins! Left me with a bitter taste in my mouth and really was a bit of a waste of time. Wouldn't recommend.

No Seventh Episode or Second Series?

[katespithes · 5/10 · 30 April 2020]

Having sat through this slow but compelling series, I was truely disappointed that there was no definite conclusion - either for or against the bad guys; who let's face it, are truely bad. If there is to be a seventh and concluding episode or second series all well and good. At the moment it sits as a good crime novel with the last chapter missing. This is either a very poor artistic decision on the part of the director or they simply ran out of money. Either way, it went from being a 9/10 series to a 5/10 series. A seventh concluding episode or something simple in the closing credits like "Series 2 Coming Soon" would have been enough. Shame.

Imagine, If You Will: Snails Battling Their Way Through Molasses In January (Northern Hemisphere)

[untilnow99 · 7/10 · 14 March 2020]

It made me laugh, to see how many people used the word "Slow" in their reviews here on IMDb.

Really? "Slow" is hardly the word for it. "Slow" applied to this series is a candy-coated euphemism if ever there was one.

I've watched plenty of slow-paced Brit Crime Drama and, believe me when I tell you----------- **those** were like watching Usain Bolt run the 100m compared to this oozingly, sluggishly, painfully drawn-out masterpiece of enervation.

That said, it does have its redeeming qualities. Or-----it must have. I am still watching it. Still in its grip, waiting to see if, in this century, the baddies get their comeuppance. I hope I live long enough.

Just finished episode 6 of Season One.

Drags on...A Day late and a dollar short

[loristanislaus-44190 · 6/10 · 23 September 2019]

This COULD have been excellent but it just drags on. The police seem like dimwit dullards. The bad guys do better surveillance on the cops than vice versa. The plight of immigrants and refugees, especially female, is horrific to watch. Even more horrific though is the disappointment of this slow mo Irish crime series. Coulda been a contender... I love UK crime dramas because I can't predict everything but this one I predicted every chatacter's next move. I also predict.... no season two.

Taken Down? Who got taken down? Slow and doesn't stick the ending.

[the_hawk8 · 6/10 · 25 February 2020]

The main inspector is great and the story is interesting. The pacing is slow and ultimately the ending is deeply flawed. Also for being in Ireland it wasn't even atmospheric unless you think a concrete parking lot is grand.

If you're patient you'll enjoy the program, however...

[a-alexander119 · 7/10 · 6 June 2021]

I agree with others the show is far too slow for its own good, but unless you're rushed this is generally a good program. And as others have mentioned I hope there's a second season but not holding my breath... a firm conclusion would have been worthwhile.

Could be good but so slow

[chopper-32361 · 4/10 · 23 December 2018]

The storyline is quite good with some decent acting but the pace is beyond slow which ruins the watch.

Gritty, powerful and realistic drama

[dinky224 · 9/10 · 5 April 2020]

I suspect many other reviewers are a little impatient and wanting more cheer in their viewing. So be it. But for this family, this gritty Irish production rewarded us for our patience and acceptance of some pretty confronting activity in the lives of vulnerable people trying to assimilate into a new country. Yes, it's heartbreaking in places. And yes, the frustration of the police seemed a little too real at times. But this is one fine, fine production, with tight scripting, beautifully poignant human moments amongst the filth, and believable characters. Well done to the production team. Sometimes art reflects life more than some can accept.

Taken Down - No one.

[tony-mccormack196 · 6/10 · 17 October 2021]

Enjoyed the series. The ending Was disappointing and inconclusive. I think this was done as a set up for a second series, however that is not fair on those watching this series and could have been done better.

Slow moving and depressing.

[khunkrumark · 3/10 · 22 December 2018]

The women leads are all brilliant and awesome and the men are all idiots. It's where we are in 2018 when it comes to TV dramas and this is no exception.

This latest police procedural has the pace of a very tired tortoise. Every line of dialogue is exposition of some kind and the lifeless delivery means there is zero development of characters.

A recent immigrant is found dead at a bus stop. We know nothing about her yet we are supposed to be interested in finding out who bumped her off. This only works well if we are rooting for the brave members of law enforcement. As this crew are as interesting as black socks the drama never gets going.

If you are out of sleeping tablets this will act as a quick fix till you can get down to the chemists.

A pretty good series.

[darrel076 · 8/10 · 5 May 2021]

This was a good story the whole way through.

That' being said,this one if full of scumbags. This may aswell be a true story too for how often this stuff does happen.

In order to not spoil it,i I'm being vague.

Definitely worth a watch.

Slow?

[Headturner1 · 6/10 · 11 August 2020]

Slow was Broadchurch. Took me like a month to get thu it( which I'm glad I did). This is in no way as good as the before mentioned but I thought it was a decnt watch. To the reviewer complaining about the subject matter A: This stuff goes on in real life and B: No they not show it all graphic. geez. You must watch all G rated stuff but then cartoons are probably too graphic geez! The acting was ok. Some better than others ( where no real stand outs). I do like Barry Ward but not in everything he was ok here. Yes the Gards were incompetent ( this was the 3rd thing I've watched like that) so I was less bothered by it. It jumped around a lot and characters were there then gone ( choppy editing?) And I've seen open ended endings and for there to never be another season but this was tied up decently and I don't think they meant for another series.. I mean it's not that hard to figure out since most the characters are now known to the guards that the brothel will be no more. All it was a decent watch for the evening and I'm partial to anything Irish so..

Watching young girls be tortured is not entertainment

[susanbovee · 2/10 · 28 December 2019]

This show would have gotten a zero, except that the excellent actors deserve a nod, and aren't to blame for the awful story.

This ugly tale involves tortured, raped, kidnapped, trafficked and murdered young teenaged girls. It doesn't stint on showing what is done to these children, who are African refugees in Ireland. That this crap is being peddled not only as entertainment, but also peddled in a deliberately salacious way, should shame Irish TV, the writers and societies who think this shameful output is enjoyable to watch. Avoid like the plague.

New territory

[Momaqns · 7/10 · 7 March 2023]

While I agree that this production could use a bit of tightening up, the acting is excellent with special attention to the two leads roles, Abeni and Jen. There is a problem with European countries absorption of asylum seekers but this series takes the time of the agonies experienced by the immigrants that caused them to leave their native countries and the challenges faced by them in their adopted home. We first meet Abeni when she lands on the coast of Italy. Her husband died from chemical burns on board the boat and she must now face an uncertain future as she raises her two sons and try her best to provide for them and keep them out of trouble. Crime and corruption are always a danger. I stuck with it and I'm glad I did.

Slow but realistic Modern Irish crime drama

[johnfp-fallon · 5/10 · 18 May 2019]

I wanted to like this more; but the pacing of the script and some wooden acting made it slightly difficult to endure. In its defense, it is accurate and highlights real issues faced by immigrants in modern Ireland. I hope it is a successful series.

Crime in Ireland

[westsideschl · 8/10 · 14 December 2019]

African refugees are housed in a Direct Provision Centre in (or near) Dublin, Republic of Ireland. In this series we are mostly focused on the death of a young Nigerian woman w/subplots of sex trafficking, and general individual & societal adjustments surrounding immigrants. Acting quite good; dialogue intelligent; usual twists & personalities found in crime series. Somewhat creative/different take on crime. Police personalities run the usual range. Police forensics investigations were good. Ending left a bit inconclusive leaving open a possible season 2.

Story-good.Slow, slow slow.

[wtmenter · 5/10 · 4 November 2019]

The concept could really have made for a good show. The pacing is just to slow.! Every aspect is just so drawn out.

Gripping!

[gillianbourke · 10/10 · 16 April 2020]

High recommend this gripping portrait of a slice of life in today's Dublin. Similar to the excellent Love/Hate in how it captures the atmosphere perfectly. Well paced and considered given the subject matter. I only wish there were more episodes or a second season.

Disappointed

[iannikkibanks · 5/10 · 15 October 2020]

Loved the lead cop Jen but too slow and inconclusive. How they didn't know about the brothel and how no suspects were followed and how on earth they didnt stumble onto Gar is beyond me. As a story as to the plight of refugees it was great as a cop show a failure

Slow and bad reviews for Irish police

[classicrun-44914 · 3/10 · 4 December 2022]

At first, I thought it was me. I watch a lot of British shows and they are usually slower then those from America but this was like watching paint dry. The acting was good but this was so slow. It could've been condensed into far fewer episodes and lost absolutely none of the plot. And yes refugee life everywhere is depressing but what was worse was the police. If this is typical of Irish police, I am surprised that any crimes are ever solved by such an inept and dull force. They are rude, sexist, racist, I don't seem to spend forever to figure out anything. Guess I'll never be moving to Ireland.

Immigrant Abuse and Trafficking

[vkammerer-34719 · 10/10 · 31 January 2023]

The bad reviews are troubling. This series has a lot of substance and is a good learning tool for those who are anti-immigration. People risk their lives to get to a safe country where they aren't wanted by the citizens of that country. It's shameful. This series shows how difficult life is for immigrants and how women, especially, are taken advantage of and exploited by people. It is also a good example of how law enforcement often fails immigrants. The female officers in this series are portrayed the way most women in law enforcement behave -- with compassion and empathy rather than being bullies. I find the bad reviews not so much about the series but the writer's own personal bias towards immigrants. The end left the story open to a second series or to the imagination. I felt it wrapped up nicely.

E

[erinfireandelectrical · 11 April 2020]

Yeah ok slow and brooding. Decent storyline with heaps of potential to be an awesome series. Last episode minor continuity error annoyed me a bit.. when Toby dropped the dying Ezmay(?) at the bus stop Where was the passing bus that had captured dash cam footage of the Passat at the crime scene??grr little things I know. 2 stars at best