Broadchurch Series Review!
Broadchurch is a British crime show that focuses on the affecting ripple through a community rather than the case itself. The first season consists of eight episodes, which I'm starting to think is a really good number for shows that have a linear narrative such as this one, and focuses on how the murder of an 11-year old boy affects the small town he was from. There are numerous reasons to love this show, but I believe the main one we should focus on is that Broadchurch is a character driven story rather than a plot driven cliche.
The best way to describe Broadchurch is when you turn on the first episode it will feel like the show came to life and wrapped you up, hugging you in a warm blanket, as it prepares you to watch the lives that these characters have to suffer through from the lose of this boy. The show is very atmospheric and unravels at a nice pace that allows you to savor what you've seen, but also hits you in the emotions as you get to watch nearly every character break down.
No one is black and white. This show reflects the real world in the way that everyone at a certain age either gains trauma, or hides it. Some characters have no idea why they act that way, and have to deal with understanding their bodies or mind. These characters are complex. They will lash out, break down, and compromise. For every three scenes that has tragedy and sorrow bestowed upon a character there is a scene where they are allowed to get past it, and find the hope and joy in life. These moments feel so precious and earned as a result of the writing.
The writing for this series is phenomenal. The case is relatively simple as each episode unravels another piece to the puzzle, but what the show decides to do is not focus on the case itself, but the people involved in it, and I believe that's one heck of a smart way to make a mystery drama. You really do get to learn about many of the people living in Broadchurch, and over the eight episode seasons they'll become real people. Everyone has a character arc, and almost everyone is a suspect with plausible motive.
I really don't want to give any spoilers, or hint too much about these seasons, in this review, so I'm going to keep it very brief. This is the type of series that you'll binge, stay up late, lose sleep over until you can find out what happens in the next episode. If you pay attention carefully there are some spectacular foreshadowing scenes. The first season is a must watch, and one I'd recommend to everyone I'd pass on the street.
Season two takes an interesting turn as it's primarily the court case and civil aftereffects of season one. That's intertwined with the subplot from the first season where Alec's past rears it's ugly head and he and Miller have to tackle it head on. On one hand this is another well written season of television. It expands upon the characters in a natural way, it calls out dramatic moments from season one and subverts the meaning of their outcome. On the other hand it isn't atmospheric and deliberately paced as strongly as the first season. In comparison it doesn't compare to what came before, and some episodes really had me mad, but nonetheless I was griped to my seat.
Season three of Broadchurch gets back on track with a similar style to its debut season. There is a mystery afoot and you don't know who's a suspect, much like the first season. A woman is raped, and deals with a heavier tone and care to how the characters react to this situation. There's more time devoted to the community again, and just like the previous seasons it's well written, gripping, and a fine ending to a superb series with characters you've really come to love.
This series is not only great upon first viewing, but becomes multi-layered when revisited, especially with the first season. When this show is great it's due to the atmospheric tone and the community mind of a small town. It's not about who did it, but how the effect of their actions shakes and distorts the status quo. The first season acts as the first part in the series' three season trilogy, but it ends in a satisfying way that feels like each season is a stand alone story. Plus, the acting from everyone involved is just stellar, especially from the leads David Tennant and Olivia Colman. This is definitely recommended.
S1: A
S2: B
S3: B+
