Review of Mystery Road: Origin

Don't get me wrong, Mystery Road is a good concept, and tells stories we all need to hear. Miserable stories, granted, but important social commentary. In this origin story the young detective returns to his home town to work in the local police station, and to reconcile with his family. He's a "good, honest cop" and has all the tropes we come to expect from the title. Prefers to be alone much of the time. Suspicious of everyone and everything. Strained relationship with his father... where Jay differs is that he doesn't drink, doesn't smoke and isn't running away from some past misdemeanour. Where he also differs is that he's fundamentally annoying and unlikeable. Conversations with him are mostly one sided. A smouldering look is his usual answer to any question. He doesn't involve his team mates and partners in his decisions. At one point he drives off and leaves his partner Cindy stranded. When she asks why he said he had a hunch. When she says they should share these hunches he demeans her and leaves her standing . Awful. He's arrogant and stubborn, incommunicative and introverted. He has an awful taste in hats and clearly has never heard of a launderette. I hope they are planning a sequel. Can't wait to see if Mary can wake him up a bit.