A Tense Five-Part British Series Putting A Fresh Spin On A Familiar Serial Killer Storyline
When Gillian Anderson recently popped up in a recurring role in NBC's "Hannibal," it occurred to me that I hadn't seen her in a non-British production in quite some while! Although born in Chicago, she lived in London for many years as a child (ages 2-11) before coming back to the states. Her heart seems to still be in England where she has, once again, resided since shortly after the "X-Files" completed its run. That's okay by me, though, because she's done some incredible work that has continued to stretch her as an actress. Some of my favorites include her fascinating interpretation of Miss Havisham in 2011's "Great Expectations" and her Lady Dedlock in the brilliant 2005 "Bleak House." She does so much period work, it's nice to catch something a bit more contemporary in setting. So I had high expectations for Allan Cubitt's five part serial killer drama "The Fall." Anderson plays a no-nonsense detective from London's Metropolitan Police Service (the Met) brought to Belfast to...
A Dark, Fascinating, and Extraordinarily Tense Crime Thriller
Crime is quite popular when it comes to television. The crime procedural has been a television staple for many years; I mean, just look at any drama on CBS' primetime lineup. The serial killer subgenre of crime television has become particularly popular in recent years. Spurred by the success of shows like Dexter, many networks have attempted to create their own serial killer series with mixed results like FOX's The Following, A&E's Bates Motel, and NBC's Hannibal. Enter BBC Two with The Fall, a five-part serial killer drama with a slow, methodical, and deliberate pace that is absolutely terrifying.
British television has seen a surge of popularity in recent years with hits like Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, and Sherlock crossing the Atlantic to find popularity here in the States. Personally, I've now seen three British crime shows (Sherlock, Luther, and The Fall), and all three are quite good in their own way. Starring Gillian Anderson (Agent Scully of The X-Files...
Mesmeric & Disturbing
This is a tense and disturbing series about a Detective Superintendent, Stella Gibson, who works for the Met and is called to Belfast, Ireland to investigate a murder of a young, professional woman. Early on Stella believes it may be the work of a serial murderer and is soon proven right.
Simultaneously, we meet the villain, who lives a double life and seems an unlikely candidate to perpetrate these murders. So, it's a bit cat and mouse as Stella begins to identify just what kind of individual is doing these crimes and why, drawing nearer to the killer.
The acting is subdued and deep. There's a menacing atmosphere pervading. For my own taste, I prefer less violent and graphic crimes. However, the series was so well-done and the acting riveting by Gillian Anderson as Stella that I couldn't not watch. The plot and denouement is original and I will sample the next installment in the series. 5 stars if you are okay with the violence and some nudity. I like...
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