I'm often fond of gritty police dramas, but it's a genre I don't watch too often. So, it is a pleasant surprise that I found this show while looking for more programming to add to my Watchlist. It is gritty and, based on the testimony of Australian viewers, captures the nature of Australian police work at that time with verisimilitude.
In the first episode, "Top Quality Crims", we meet Inspector Jock Brennan, who is leading an investigation into a series of armed hold ups in his precinct. Brennan believes these hold ups are being conducted by John Mercer, who is a member of one of Melbourne's prominent crime families. As an old school cop, Brennan expresses disdain for the structures that aim to impose their strictures on his police work, viz. The Superintendent's advice and the advice of Ian "Goose" Cochrane in forensics. Brennan rallies the police force together to bring John Mercer to justice and, after succeeding, they decide to party. The force is to attend the Police Club's "Christmas in July" party which seems to be a pleasant experience, until an explosive detonates at the party. The episode ends on a still of Brennan's shocked expression.
The show adopts realist techniques to capture the police work that will be a defining feature of the show. Interiors of the police headquarters subsist on tracking shots that focus on each officer as they move through the offices. As such, there is an emphasis on individual subjects evocative of early Warner Bros. This choice narrows our focus to that of the individual subjects. It is rare to see establishing shots in many of these locations. The choice to use natural lighting means that a number of shots feature actors who are shaded in darkness. Some of these shots would be considered poor lighting in traditional studio contexts but, given the aesthetic aims of the series, add to the grittiness the filmmakers are deploying to tell their story.
In addition to these formal choices, the dialogue for much of the series is said to have been improvised by the actors. When considering the aims of the writers, i.e. To present a credible presentation of the reality of police work in Australia, this may appear to be an odd choice. What do these actors know of how police officers converse with each other? Well, allowing the actors to speak from their understanding of their characters allows them to embody these roles in distinct and naturalistic ways. Paul Sonkkila's performance as Brennan seems to benefit the most from this. Sonkkila's Brennan projects a jaded and embodied understanding of the commands of closing an investigation. He jets around the office seeking advice which almost always ignores. His intuition guides him, for better and worse. While everyone else is committed to delivering realistic, if occasionally witty, speech, Brennan's distinct and authoritative manner make him stand out among the cast.
My biggest gripe with the episode is that the notion of realism employed here can become monotonous at times. While the tracking shots through the office are an inspired formal choice, they are employed here with such frequency that their impact begins to decay after its repeated use.
Also, few of the players in the cast shine outside of Sonkkila. Some of this may be due to how much development and change these characters will experience throughout the series, which may influence the performances in turn. As is, the commitment to realism means that most of the cast projects little personality past a general cynicism about their livelihoods. This cynicism is embodied in their wry observations and cutting verbal jabs at one another.
To the episode's credit, the improvised dialogue does provide for some of the most memorable quotes. "I'd like to hear piss off explained in depth" is one of many glorious lines spoken throughout the episode.
On the whole, a strong first episode. I know who many of the most significant characters are and I can perceive the various ways they will struggle as the show continues. The aftermath of the final scene in this episode will doubtless play a major role in these characters' lives moving forward.
Score: 67/100 (equivalent of 7/10)
In the first episode, "Top Quality Crims", we meet Inspector Jock Brennan, who is leading an investigation into a series of armed hold ups in his precinct. Brennan believes these hold ups are being conducted by John Mercer, who is a member of one of Melbourne's prominent crime families. As an old school cop, Brennan expresses disdain for the structures that aim to impose their strictures on his police work, viz. The Superintendent's advice and the advice of Ian "Goose" Cochrane in forensics. Brennan rallies the police force together to bring John Mercer to justice and, after succeeding, they decide to party. The force is to attend the Police Club's "Christmas in July" party which seems to be a pleasant experience, until an explosive detonates at the party. The episode ends on a still of Brennan's shocked expression.
The show adopts realist techniques to capture the police work that will be a defining feature of the show. Interiors of the police headquarters subsist on tracking shots that focus on each officer as they move through the offices. As such, there is an emphasis on individual subjects evocative of early Warner Bros. This choice narrows our focus to that of the individual subjects. It is rare to see establishing shots in many of these locations. The choice to use natural lighting means that a number of shots feature actors who are shaded in darkness. Some of these shots would be considered poor lighting in traditional studio contexts but, given the aesthetic aims of the series, add to the grittiness the filmmakers are deploying to tell their story.
In addition to these formal choices, the dialogue for much of the series is said to have been improvised by the actors. When considering the aims of the writers, i.e. To present a credible presentation of the reality of police work in Australia, this may appear to be an odd choice. What do these actors know of how police officers converse with each other? Well, allowing the actors to speak from their understanding of their characters allows them to embody these roles in distinct and naturalistic ways. Paul Sonkkila's performance as Brennan seems to benefit the most from this. Sonkkila's Brennan projects a jaded and embodied understanding of the commands of closing an investigation. He jets around the office seeking advice which almost always ignores. His intuition guides him, for better and worse. While everyone else is committed to delivering realistic, if occasionally witty, speech, Brennan's distinct and authoritative manner make him stand out among the cast.
My biggest gripe with the episode is that the notion of realism employed here can become monotonous at times. While the tracking shots through the office are an inspired formal choice, they are employed here with such frequency that their impact begins to decay after its repeated use.
Also, few of the players in the cast shine outside of Sonkkila. Some of this may be due to how much development and change these characters will experience throughout the series, which may influence the performances in turn. As is, the commitment to realism means that most of the cast projects little personality past a general cynicism about their livelihoods. This cynicism is embodied in their wry observations and cutting verbal jabs at one another.
To the episode's credit, the improvised dialogue does provide for some of the most memorable quotes. "I'd like to hear piss off explained in depth" is one of many glorious lines spoken throughout the episode.
On the whole, a strong first episode. I know who many of the most significant characters are and I can perceive the various ways they will struggle as the show continues. The aftermath of the final scene in this episode will doubtless play a major role in these characters' lives moving forward.
Score: 67/100 (equivalent of 7/10)