Review of Scrublands

This Australian series open in a remote town in Victoria. We see Byron Swift, a priest, talking to his congregants outside his church. He goes inside, returns holding a rifle and shoots five men before being killed by the local policeman. One year later journalist Martin Scarsden heads to town; he has been tasked with writing a 'puff piece' about how the townspeople are coping a year on. The story was that the priest went on the rampage after child abuse allegations were made against him so Martin is more than a little surprised when plenty of people defend his character... perhaps there is more to the story than was initially reported.

I thought this was a really good little series. At four episodes it didn't outstay its welcome but similarly didn't feel rushed. The opening scenes immediately grabs ones attention and further revelations keep one gripped. The use of flashbacks throughout the series shows key details of what happened and means Byron Swift becomes a fully fleshed out character rather than a mysterious figure only seen in the prologue. The location is impressive; it may be very open but there is a claustrophobic feel due to its isolation. The cast does a fine job; most obviously Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote and Jay Ryan as Martin, Mandy, a woman who knew Byron well, and Byron. The conclusion is solid; being neither too obvious nor too surprising. Overall an impressive mystery that I'd recommend to fans of the genre.