This could have been a lot better than it was. The basic story was sound, but everything about the way it unfolded was exasperating.
First, the excessive length. Three ninety-minute episodes about a mystery involving a fairly small universe of characters is just too long.
Second, the casting. The actress playing Karen Pirie looks much younger than she is, and she is dressed in outfits more appropriate for a school girl or a college freshman. No doubt this is to convey that she is a spunky young woman up against the patriarchy, but making her look like a teenager is silly.
Third, the implausibility of some of the crime-solving, e.g. The way Pirie obtains some of the key clues. (No spoilers here.)
Fourth, the wokeness. More than a whodunnit, this is a vehicle for grievances against white men. There are the arrogant and expensively tailored bosses who underestimate and hinder her. There is the feminist pep talk she gets from a former female officer. There are the violent, deceitful and/or generally awful male suspects. The only white male who is not a jerk is her subservient, uncomplaining assistant, and the only loving, non-abusive relationships shown are gay or interracial.
There is a lot of room for improvement if there is a Season 2.
First, the excessive length. Three ninety-minute episodes about a mystery involving a fairly small universe of characters is just too long.
Second, the casting. The actress playing Karen Pirie looks much younger than she is, and she is dressed in outfits more appropriate for a school girl or a college freshman. No doubt this is to convey that she is a spunky young woman up against the patriarchy, but making her look like a teenager is silly.
Third, the implausibility of some of the crime-solving, e.g. The way Pirie obtains some of the key clues. (No spoilers here.)
Fourth, the wokeness. More than a whodunnit, this is a vehicle for grievances against white men. There are the arrogant and expensively tailored bosses who underestimate and hinder her. There is the feminist pep talk she gets from a former female officer. There are the violent, deceitful and/or generally awful male suspects. The only white male who is not a jerk is her subservient, uncomplaining assistant, and the only loving, non-abusive relationships shown are gay or interracial.
There is a lot of room for improvement if there is a Season 2.