Marcusjt2004 Reviews

Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

Richmond til I die!

[9/10 · 24 June 2023]

I've only recently gotten into football and when I stumbled upon Ted Lasso I thought I'd see what it's like and I became obsessed! It's so well written and acted by cast and crew it makes it a genuine joy to watch and follow these people's journeys across the three season arc. It isn't just a football show it's also a show about life and that's one of the things I love most about it; it shows what most people forget which is that footballers are human too, they go through what everyone goes through in life. Ted Lasso contains some incredibly important messages about life and coping with mental health in all kinds of situations. I think even non football fans could enjoy this because of that factor. It's a feel good show that's what Ted Lasso is; it shows how to cope, how to live, love and enjoy life and make the most of things. But most importantly it teaches us to BELIEVE.

Happy Valley (2014–2023)

The Valley That's Not So Happy

[9/10 · 6 February 2023]

Where do I start with this flawless show? First off, the acting by Sarah Lancashire combined with the writing by Sally Wainwright is beyond incredible. The thing with Happy Valley is it's not a police drama, it's about Catherine who happens to be a police officer. The character of hard-as-nails Sergeant Catherine Cawood really develops over the 3 series, but especially in the third series where she finally realises that her grandson Ryan (played by the incredibly talented Rhys Connah) is nothing like his serial killer father Tommy Lee Royce (played terrifyingly brilliantly by James Norton). The first series is a brilliant introduction to the world of Happy Valley, introducing us to Catherine & Tommy. While Tommy leads a very different life to Catherine, their worlds collide when Tommy rapes her daughter Becky, making her pregnant with son Ryan. Becky is driven to suicide and Catherine takes care of Ryan. After Tommy is released from prison (for drugs offences) Catherine makes it her mission to bring him down for what he did to her daughter. This sends Catherine into a deep depression, seeing hallucinations of her daughter's body. She pushes on and finally (somewhat violently) gets her man. Series 2 picks up a while later and sees Tommy in prison for abducting Ann Gallagher (Charlie Murphy) in series 1 and Catherine still flying through her career. But when she finds the body of Tommy's mother Lynn, her world is turned upside down all over again. Not helped by the fact that Tommy's girlfriend Frances (Shirley Henderson) is now working in Ryan's class at school. Series 3 picks up 7 years later when Catherine discovers the remains of a gangland murder victim which leads her straight back to Tommy. When she discovers her sister Clare (Siobhan Finneran) has been taking Ryan to see Tommy in prison everything in her life changes. The hallucinations start again and we see the return of determined, hard of nails Catherine Cawood. None of this is helped by Tommy escaping from court. This leads to one hell of a showdown between the two in the final ever episode. In the finale itself both Lancashire and Norton deliver acting masterclasses. After over 10 years of grieving for Becky, Catherine finally gets to have a 1:1 conversation with the man she belives drove her daughter to suicide and it does not dissapoint. Truths and lies are uncovered in the best TV scene of the decade and it did not disappoint. After dowsing himself in petrol (again) Tommy sets himself alight, leading to him dying in a coma. Catherine finally gets some peace with Tommy out of her life. She is finally ready to start saying goodbye to Becky and driving off to pastures new after retiring from Yorkshire Police. The character we all adore finally gets her happy ending after years of pain.

Blindspot (2015–2020)

Blindspot

[7/10 · 28 July 2022]

Blindspot was a very up and down show for me. The first season I really enjoyed and I absolutely loved the second season. However season 3 was a huge drop in quality as was most of seasons 4&5. One way I know that I got bored with this show was because when I finished it I didn't get emotional and at the end of shows like this I usually do. That's not to say the ending wasn't good though, I genuinely feared for Jane's safety and didn't breath all through S5E11. I love all of the main cast with my favourites being Jane & Kurt of course! Their relationship was the best thing about the show. Patterson & Rich deserve mentions too!

Madam Secretary (2014–2019)

7/10 but Season 6 bumps it up to an 8

[8/10 · 8 December 2021]

M-Sec is an amazing political thriller by Barbra Hall. The performance by Téa Leoni as Elizabeth McCord is mesmerising, she's such a ballsy amazing character. The fact that her & Tim Daly are dating in real life makes their on screen chemistry SO real! The first 5 seasons covering Bess' time as Sec State are intriguing and thrilling. Like every show it has its bad episodes but that doesn't take away from it. Season 6 with McCord finally becoming POTUS was outstanding and definitely the best season of the show and I'd love to see more of the McCord presidency if the show ever returns. Overall a well written show with a great cast giving amazing performances.

Rookie Blue (2010–2015)

One of the best crime dramas I've seen

[10/10 · 29 July 2021]

I've watched a lot of crime dramas and Rookie Blue definitely makes the top 5 list. The way it deals with the brutal, emotional realities of policing while still keeping it light hearted is impeccable. Every character brings something to the table wether it's Jarvis being a jerk or Chloe just... being Chloe, the writing is amazing and that combined with stellar performances is what makes Rookie Blue such a special show with an absolutely pitch perfect ending.

Tin Star (2017–2020)

Something Slightly Different

[7/10 · 20 May 2021]

I really enjoyed the first season of Tin Star, albeit slightly hard to follow in places. Season two was also really good and explained a lot about Jack and his family however I was slightly disappointed with season 3 (titled as Tin Star: Liverpool). I had such high hopes but it didn't live up to what I expected and the ending was disappointing. If we were getting a 4th season that ending would've been fine but as it's the actual ending it's a bit stupid that we'll never know what happened. Overall in intriguing show with many unexpected twists and some good action scenes.

Cuffs (2015)

It's like The Bill in Brighton

[7/10 · 1 April 2021]

I binge watched this show over the last couple days and it was absolutely amazing! The action and the scenarios were exciting, adrenaline fuelled and at times, very intense! Each character was different and had there own advantages and disadvantages and were played very well. The writing was amazing and so so realistic. I really wish they made more episodes because this show is amazing.

Bloodlands (2021–2022)

A very mixed bag

[7/10 · 15 March 2021]

This show had a good start I really enjoyed the first episode and episode 2 was good too however I thought there was a slight drop in quality in episode 3. The finale was good and I really enjoyed the intensity and some of the action scenes were really good. Unfortunately the ending wasn't that good but I'm looking forward to seeing how the story ends in series 2. James Nesbitt was amazing as DCI Tom Brannick. Some of the characters like DCS Jackie Twomey were genuinely dislikable.

Dexter (2006–2013)

One of the Best

[9/10 · 5 March 2021]

I absolutely loved binge watching this show. 'Dexter' has some of the best character development I've ever seen in a television series especially with the main character of Dexter Morgan (played amazingly by Michael C. Hall). Season 1&2, 4-5 & 7 were amazing. I wasn't a huge fan of 3 because of the story arc. Season 6 was good but a little creepy with the whole religious aspect and season 8 started good but slowly dropped in quality as it went on. Check out my other reviews for my review of Dexter New Blood!

Torchwood (2006–2011)

Amazing.... until series 4

[8/10 · 23 February 2021]

I'll be honest I'm not a massive Doctor Who (2005) fan but I watched Torchwood after after numerous recommendations and absolutely fell in love with the show and the 5 main characters. Series 1&2 are some of the best telly I've ever seen, series 3 (Children of Earth) is a hard watch but still really enjoyable however series 4 (Miracle Day) is a struggle and I'm yet to finish it. But the first 3 series are definitely worth a watch. John Barrowman is an absolute legend in this show.

Designated Survivor (2016–2019)

Amazing

[8/10 · 1 February 2021]

This show is one of my favourite Netflix Originals. It kind of combines House of Cards (2013) with 24 (2001) really well with it being half political drama and half action thriller. All of the main cast play such amazing, likeable but flawed characters. Season One is by far the best because you just had no idea where it was going, season two kept the suspense with a different story every week but still had long running stories. Season three however wasn't that good. It had some good moments but it just felt like a very different show.

Bodyguard (2018)

Intense Suspenseful Drama

[8/10 · 9 January 2021]

I watched Bodyguard weekly in 2018 when it originally aired and I've rewatched it a couple times since then and I love it more and more each time. It really does maintain its suspense and intensity no matter how many times you watch it. The writing is phenomenal of course by Jed Mercurio who wrote the incredible Line of Duty (2012). Where it was written by Mercurio everyone expected a high calibre crime thriller and that's exactly what we got. The acting is amazing, especially the main characters played by Keeley Hawes and Richard Madden. I'd love to see second series at some point in the near future.

Orphan Black (2013–2017)

Addictive Sci-fi Drama

[9/10 · 8 January 2021]

I honestly don't know where to start with this show. I binge watched it in 2020 over my Christmas break and I bloody loved it! Hats off to the amazing Tatiana Maslany for her amazing portrayal of all of the clones, she really did her homework for these roles. As for the show as a whole, there's so many different things to talk about! The writing is amazing and doesn't hold back with the science jargon. This show is both dramatic and hilarious with a perfect balance of both. I'd love to see more seasons or a movie but unfortunately that probably won't happen.

Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2020)

Heartwarming Comedy/Drama

[8/10 · 26 November 2020]

Last Tango is one of those shows that's really easy to watch. It doesn't drag but at the same time it doesn't move so quickly that you lose track of the storylines. The characters are all equally lovable but still have their flaws. It's a good show to watch when you're down, I rewatched it when ill and it really picked up my mood. It's heartwarming, bewitching and emotional with the odd bit of comedy thrown in. Would definitely recommend!

Safe House (2015–2017)

Great first series but poor second series

[6/10 · 10 November 2020]

I watched both series pretty much back to back and had mixed opinions. The first series was amazing. From Christopher Eccleston to Harriet Cains the cast was amazing with a kick ass story. Although series 2 had a great cast with people like Sunetra Sarker and Ashley Walters, the story wasn't as good with not the best ending.

Chuck (2007–2012)

Entertaining Comedy/Drama

[7/10 · 11 October 2020]

Chuck is one of those shows that is a hidden gem. It looks like a small network show but once your into it, you want to keep watching. All 5 seasons are entertaining however in my opinion the quality very slowly drops as the show progresses. Despite this, it is still worth watching if your looking for an action-packed series with a lot of laughs.

The Fall (I) (2013–2016)

Incredible thriller

[8/10 · 10 October 2020]

The Fall is a superb thriller. It's genuinely sends shivers down your spine throughout pretty much the whole show! Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan are phenomenal as DSU Stella Gibson and serial killer Paul Spector. The acting is amazing as is the writing and the incredibly intense score. Definitely worth watching if you like e your crime thrillers!

24 (2001–2010)

My favourite American show of all time!

[10/10 · 11 November 2018]

I don't know where to start with this show, it's just incredible! I've seen it twice and I was on the edge of my seat just as much second time round even though I knew what was coming! The 24 hour concept is done really well, the acting and scripts/stories are done so so well. My favourite season has to be season 5 with my least favourite being 6. All characters from Jack Bauer to George Mason are really well explained and any main character deaths are really emotional and hard hitting. I highly recommend watching this show.