"The Long Call" Episode #1.1 (TV Episode 2021) Poster

(TV Series)

(2021)

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6/10
Episode 1
Prismark1029 October 2021
From the novel by Ann Cleeves. The first episode shows a lot of inspiration from Broadchurch.

Director Lee Haven Jones has even directed Chris Chibnall era Doctor Who.

DI Matthew Venn (Ben Aldridge) and DS Jenn Rafferty (Pearl Mackie) investigate the death of an alcoholic loner Simon Walton. He moved to Devon after killing a young girl in a drunk driving accident.

Matthew has returned to the tight knit coastal community. He grew up in a strict evangelical cult where he was an outcast for being gay.

There is a big cast here, plenty of characters with dark secrets, shady pasts and in the case of Dennis (Martin Shaw) he seems to be dodgy in the present.

I expect Cleeves story would deviate from the formula in later episodes.
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6/10
A decent start, if a little hard to follow.
Sleepin_Dragon2 November 2021
DI Matthew Venn heads up a case of murder, after a body washes up on a Devon Beach. Matthew is also connected to the connunity he walked a way from, Evangelists.

I did struggle to follow it if I'm honest, I did enjoy it, it looks great, the acting is top notch, and there's definitely a story here. Matthew is a very interesting chap, and his family life is intriguing.

Lovely to see the wonderful Pearl Mackie here, she's excellent, the cast do a fine job, the sheer quality of Martin Shaw is ever present.

A little hard to follow, but a solid start, 6/10.
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7/10
Not bad!
pjgs2008 February 2022
Watched because of Pearl Mackie, and thought it was solid. I'm definitely invested in what will happen next. Main detective is also played well, and great to see a tender gay relationship at the center. Definitely influenced by Broadchurch, but i don't think that's a bad thing. Will keep watching.
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6/10
A slow start
xmasdaybaby196629 October 2021
A good cast here with the likes of Martin Shaw, Neil Morrissey, Juliet Stevenson and an almost unrecognisable Anita Dobson making up a strong support.

There are a lot of characters here but, hopefully, things will make more sense as the series progresses.

I appreciate that filming has been difficult during the pandemic but everyone seems to be so far apart.

ITV dramas can be a bit hit or miss lately but this is more down to earth than Hollington Drive that preceded this in the TV schedules.

A homosexual kiss in the first minute might be off-putting for some viewers but ticks the PC boxes that modern TV shows like to fill.
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10/10
Great show with a lot of nuances
mardee-312 November 2023
I am really liking this series a lot so far. It seems far more realistic than Vera, which I just got finished binge watching. And the main character is also much nicer to his subordinates than Vera ever was. She could be a right pill at times. But getting back to this show, the cinematography is lovely, the acting is excellent, and the writing is quite good.

I'm enjoying the plot a lot. It's a bit complicated, but I think it all makes sense. The characters are very interesting and I know there are a lot of back stories there that will hopefully come out.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of this season.
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8/10
Fun
erik-947-6496981 April 2022
I read the book so was excited to watch the show. While they have changed a bit, still a great thriller. Slow building ofdrama with innuendos and such to keep you guessing. The only thing that is odd are the expensive cars driven by the main character police officers. Unrealistic, and obviously product placement.
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1/10
Garbage
johnericcarroll25 October 2021
Unengaging, poorly acted, the female police detective is annoying. Turned off after half hour. ITV dramas are hit and miss these days. This is a miss.
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