Season 1:
The first season is set in a men's prison and focuses on two men who are on opposite sides. Both have to face the horrors of prison in their own way.
On the one hand, Mark Cobden, played by Sean Bean, a former teacher and alcoholic who killed a man while drunk driving and was therefore sentenced to four years in prison must learn to stand up for himself, otherwise he will be destroyed by his fellow inmates. On the other side is Eric McNally, played by Stephen Graham. A decent man who works as a prison guard in the same prison and is blackmailed by other prisoners. He has to decide whether to go against his principles in order to protect his son, who is in another prison.
Screenwriter Jimmy McGovern has succeeded in creating a credible, intelligent and genuinely moving drama that is completely devoid of gimmickry. Instead, it gets to the heart of what is wrong with the prison system in a calm and penetrating way. Because one thing is clear: it offers hardly any opportunities for rehabilitation. It is mostly run by the inmates and dominated by power struggles between inmates and guards.
It is a character study in perfection, with every theme, nuance and character brought to the point. Sean Bean and Stephen Graham give excellent performances, but the supporting cast is equally impressive. The dialog is sharp and to the point. The camera is restrained with blue, cool tones. The soundtrack by Sarah Warne wonderfully supports the emotional moments. "Time" tells of heartbreaking decisions and lets a tear or two roll down your face in the final episode. The manageable length of the respective seasons is compactly reduced to the essentials, so that no lengths creep in but there is still enough depth for the characters.
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Season 2:
The second season in the same format, set in a women's prison. It is just as raw, tough, uncompromising and moving. It again has an outstanding ensemble cast and a brilliant script, this time written by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black. Also with a heart for the working class.
---------------- Conclusion:
Worth watching - An empathetic drama that gets the tragedy exactly right. This series is a perfect deterrent. "Time" has a harsh but truthful reality. A recommendation for anyone interested in prison drama. He characters.
The first season is set in a men's prison and focuses on two men who are on opposite sides. Both have to face the horrors of prison in their own way.
On the one hand, Mark Cobden, played by Sean Bean, a former teacher and alcoholic who killed a man while drunk driving and was therefore sentenced to four years in prison must learn to stand up for himself, otherwise he will be destroyed by his fellow inmates. On the other side is Eric McNally, played by Stephen Graham. A decent man who works as a prison guard in the same prison and is blackmailed by other prisoners. He has to decide whether to go against his principles in order to protect his son, who is in another prison.
Screenwriter Jimmy McGovern has succeeded in creating a credible, intelligent and genuinely moving drama that is completely devoid of gimmickry. Instead, it gets to the heart of what is wrong with the prison system in a calm and penetrating way. Because one thing is clear: it offers hardly any opportunities for rehabilitation. It is mostly run by the inmates and dominated by power struggles between inmates and guards.
It is a character study in perfection, with every theme, nuance and character brought to the point. Sean Bean and Stephen Graham give excellent performances, but the supporting cast is equally impressive. The dialog is sharp and to the point. The camera is restrained with blue, cool tones. The soundtrack by Sarah Warne wonderfully supports the emotional moments. "Time" tells of heartbreaking decisions and lets a tear or two roll down your face in the final episode. The manageable length of the respective seasons is compactly reduced to the essentials, so that no lengths creep in but there is still enough depth for the characters.
-
Season 2:
The second season in the same format, set in a women's prison. It is just as raw, tough, uncompromising and moving. It again has an outstanding ensemble cast and a brilliant script, this time written by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black. Also with a heart for the working class.
---------------- Conclusion:
Worth watching - An empathetic drama that gets the tragedy exactly right. This series is a perfect deterrent. "Time" has a harsh but truthful reality. A recommendation for anyone interested in prison drama. He characters.