raccles Reviews

Better (2023)

Redemption for everyone.

[10/10 · 4 March 2023]

I really enjoyed this, started thinking usual Line of Duty type show was going to happen but no.

Showed the vulnerable side of both police and criminals, it makes you sort of understand the circumstances of people that commit crimes and that the police do live in the environment they are trying to control and the difficulties that come with it.

The relationship between the leads worked well, they had obvious chemistry.

The story with old Marley was actually nice in the end, in a sad way.

Wish this had been an episode or two longer.

I hope they do another series, see what the fallout is from the end.

The Gold (2023–2024)

Brilliant show

[10/10 · 15 February 2023]

This is a great show, if you like police dramas, real life stories and a cracking cast!

The story was really interesting, can't believe the difference between the thieves and the level of people involved. Tells individual stories and doesn't push you to being on any side.

Most importantly the cast are superb, I'd like to see this ensemble doing something else together, felt almost like an old British version of Oceans Eleven!

Can't recommend this highly enough, don't believe the negative reviews, they must be from people working for another tv channel.

Hopefully more like this to come, also finally a BBC drama that doesn't have muffled volume.

C.B. Strike: Troubled Blood: Part 3 (2022) Season 4, Episode 3

Acting perfection

[10/10 · 21 December 2022]

This episode was brilliant, it had the utter sadness, the outbursts based on stress and the explanation of general behaviour. The prison scene was superb, as was the journey to see his mother. JK is such a good writer, I'm willing to watch anything she writes because I know it will be perfect.

I've been on the edge of my seat, I always half expect something horrendous but I know the little chats in between will be brilliant and light.

Also, the chemistry between the main characters works so well, they are both brilliant actors. I also like the addition of the receptionist.

Well done JK...another cracking series! I look forward to the next!

Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)

This is mesmerising

[10/10 · 7 October 2022]

I love this, it's so creepy but enticing. It's also worth watching for the incredible performance by Bobby Cannavale! He needs an award for this!

The cast are amazing, the setting too!

This is great, it keeps you guessing and jumping to all sorts of wild conclusions.

I watched this as I enjoyed Big Little Lies, if you are looking for that it's very different although it has the same cool vibes to it.

Hoping they can somehow muster another series but I won't say more than that in case I ruin it.

Just to reiterate though, stand out performance by Bobby Cannavale, I'll be looking up his previous stuff for sure!

Inspector Morse (1987–2000)

All Time Favourite

[10/10 · 27 September 2022]

I watched this growing up and recently rewatched it, I love how classically British this is, it reminds me of being a child with my parents eating biscuits and drinking tea when it was on. Oxford builds the perfect backdrop and as dated as some things may seem, it was of it's time and I appreciate that. I miss old tech free detective shows like this.

I can't watch the final episode still, I avoided it when I was young as it made me feel sad, got the book but didn't want to read it for the same reason. I'll get there one day.

The only shows that are nearly as good are Vera and Shetland, in case anyone is looking for inspiration.

Better Things (2016–2022)

Woke Gone Mad

[1/10 · 17 August 2022]

It's just too much, if people tiptoed this much around their kids they'd be a quivering wreck. It skips past bad behaviour from both the kids and the parent with no repercussions. It's just awful! I gave up towards the end of series 3 and that was already too late. Wish I'd stopped at series 1!

The Staircase (2022)

Slowed down time

[1/10 · 12 June 2022]

This show was so uneventful! It actually managed to make an hour feel like 2 hours!

Nothing really happened after the initial event it just went in circles. Honestly expected something to actually happen but no, nothing! Nothing for 8 full hours!!!

The Ipcress File (2022– )

The acting and camera work ruins it

[2/10 · 28 March 2022]

This could have been good but the main character cannot act, he's actually dreadful. The main women is as wooden as a tree and the jaunty camera angle makes it seem try hard and odd. It's a shame as i'd been looking forward to it but no thanks, I'll skip the rest.

Chloe (2022)

Just watch it!! It's so tense and nerve wracking!

[10/10 · 8 February 2022]

Ok so first 30 mins are a bit odd but get through that and it's brilliant!!! So tense all the way through!! Really not what I expected, very pleasantly surprised!!

Stay Close (2021)

Tried too hard

[7/10 · 12 January 2022]

There are too many randomly linked stories, it's desperate to be different but it just fails.

The dancing assassins are just odd and don't fit at all.

Can't believe the hype of this, totally disappointed.

Endeavour: Terminus (2021) Season 8, Episode 3

A Proper Mystery

[10/10 · 3 October 2021]

This was very well done and quite frightening to watch! I love Endeavour.

Friends (1994–2004)

Show of a Lifetime

[10/10 · 28 May 2021]

I've watched this since it was first on when I was in my late teens and I think I'll always laugh at it. Such a good show, from the days when Friday night comedy was on form.

The Pursuit of Love (2021)

Life of a Romantic Dreamer

[10/10 · 16 May 2021]

I loved this, it started a bit odd but once it settled it was lovely, the men were all quirky and she was just like a teen or a romantic wanting perfect love in a world where it doesn't exist. Andrew Scott was underused but his character was very well done. Shame it was only 3 episodes long.

The Affair: Episode #2.9 (2015) Season 2, Episode 9

Just for the final 10 minutes.

[10/10 · 16 March 2021]

The end of this episode captures the mental torture of losing a child perfectly! The rest is crass and vain but Cole perfectly shows the emotion. Also, Noah is utterly vile! Hopefully the incident with his daughter will shock him into behaving like a decent human but I somehow doubt it.

Bernard and the Genie (1991 TV Movie)

A classic every Christmas

[10/10 · 3 January 2021]

I've watched this every year since I was young, it's fun and daft but full of warmth. Wish they'd show it again on TV so people could see an old classic. I'd recommend for sure, it's just lovely.

Over Christmas (2020)

It's in dubbed English

[10/10 · 28 November 2020]

It's really good but worth noting it's dubbed English, I didn't realise this at first and thought it was out of sync...it's really good! Give it a go if you like sarcasm and Christmas.

The Crown: The Balmoral Test (2020) Season 4, Episode 2

Animal Cruelty

[1/10 · 22 November 2020]

It's bad enough that hunting of stags happens but to show it as a game is inappropriate. I've enjoyed every episode but this went too far! Acting like Diana is bait and using this beautiful animal as a symbol of that is not ok!

Ghosts: Bump in the Night (2020) Season 2, Episode 5

Excellent!

[10/10 · 19 October 2020]

This is my favourite episode so far, I love this show but this one had me in stitches! Really good idea and nice to show a new interaction.

Love Life (2020–2021)

Finally Something Interesting!

[10/10 · 7 October 2020]

I have been looking for a new series that's sun not serious or about murder and this is it. Perfect cross between SATC and New Girl

This Is Us: This Big, Amazing, Beautiful Life (2018) Season 2, Episode 17

It's become a soap

[3/10 · 23 September 2020]

So the main guy is dead and the family have wailed and wailed and now they find another story to be miserable about! Sorry but this is done for me, the dead dad story was done well and was sad and the first series with the real dad story was great too but now it's just done, they've ran out and they are wringing it dry.

This Is Us: That'll Be the Day (2018) Season 2, Episode 13

The Ultimate Episode

[10/10 · 23 September 2020]

This was the episode I was and wasn't waiting for, the build up to what happens. It's so sad and the music makes it heartbreaking! I loved it but I'll never watch it again, I felt down for days after it and I know it's only a tv show but it just hits that nerve!

All Creatures Great and Small: You've Got to Dream (2020) Season 1, Episode 1

Nice Feel Good Drama

[10/10 · 1 September 2020]

I loved it, it was just what I needed after this year. It's nice to see some real community again too. Can't wait for the next episode, really liked the cast too. Well done!

A Child's Christmas in Wales (1987 TV Movie)

A Christmas Classic

[10/10 · 28 December 2019]

I've watched this every year since it was first shown on TV, it's a must see heartwarming classic. It shows Christmas in simpler times and shows people what they should appreciate. Also, I really want it to snow...

A Christmas Carol (2019)

Scrooge Episode of Peaky

[3/10 · 23 December 2019]

If you like Peaky Blinders you'll like this, it's basically the same miserable thing. If you want to get Christmassy then avoid at all costs.

The Crown: Moondust (2019) Season 3, Episode 7

The underlying issue...

[10/10 · 25 November 2019]

I wasn't sure initially as i was trying to work out what his issue you, then he went to where his mother was staying and it all made sense. He used the moon landing to distract his mind from his grief and then seems to realise that he can't escape it. It's acted so well and it shows the distance between him and everyone in his life, left a sense of loneliness.