Pretty bad overall, unfortunately. I had hoped for better from Peter Moffat but this series really has missed the mark.
I can forgive minor technical and procedural errors but there really are some glaring faults that can not be over looked. First - isn't there anyone else stationed in Aden? The place seems to be solely populated by RMPs with no other Army personnel to be seen, let alone the RAF and Royal Navy. This is about as realistic as the whole of London containing no-one but the cast of The Bill and their families.
Second - some of the acting is woeful. I know that the 1960s was an era of "stiff upper lip", especially in the Army, but the director seems to be unable to get the cast to be less stony than the scenery. The script and plot lines are no more believable - the courtroom "drama" in the final episode appears to be a cross between 1970's "Crown Court" and a rejected "Ally McBeal" story line.
Third - who signed off the CGI stuff? The BOAC VC10 looked like it had been built from recycled tramp steamers with panel joints that would shame a 40 year old Range Rover!
Fourth - and most shocking. The appallingly disrespectful portrayal of the SAS in episode 2. They were made out to be half trained, incompetent buffoons who jeopardised themselves and their mission by taking a policeman along for the fun of it and then having no idea of how to fight a gun battle when attacked. These are arguably the most competent and effective fighting men in the world and in conflicts such as Aden and Oman, they operated with courage and professionalism yet Moffat chose to make them look like rank amateurs - an insult to every SAS trooper who has lost his life on operations.
If there is to be a second series, they REALLY need to start listening to their military advisers and raise their game.
I can forgive minor technical and procedural errors but there really are some glaring faults that can not be over looked. First - isn't there anyone else stationed in Aden? The place seems to be solely populated by RMPs with no other Army personnel to be seen, let alone the RAF and Royal Navy. This is about as realistic as the whole of London containing no-one but the cast of The Bill and their families.
Second - some of the acting is woeful. I know that the 1960s was an era of "stiff upper lip", especially in the Army, but the director seems to be unable to get the cast to be less stony than the scenery. The script and plot lines are no more believable - the courtroom "drama" in the final episode appears to be a cross between 1970's "Crown Court" and a rejected "Ally McBeal" story line.
Third - who signed off the CGI stuff? The BOAC VC10 looked like it had been built from recycled tramp steamers with panel joints that would shame a 40 year old Range Rover!
Fourth - and most shocking. The appallingly disrespectful portrayal of the SAS in episode 2. They were made out to be half trained, incompetent buffoons who jeopardised themselves and their mission by taking a policeman along for the fun of it and then having no idea of how to fight a gun battle when attacked. These are arguably the most competent and effective fighting men in the world and in conflicts such as Aden and Oman, they operated with courage and professionalism yet Moffat chose to make them look like rank amateurs - an insult to every SAS trooper who has lost his life on operations.
If there is to be a second series, they REALLY need to start listening to their military advisers and raise their game.