Yes it was a bit slow and predictable as other reviewers have said here but we found it was still worth watching anyway. The acting and casting was appropriately suited to the story. I understand where people are coming from but we are saturated with international tv shows and a local drama was a welcome change from the usual assortment of crime, medical and lame reality shows.
81 Reviews
Okay
TreasureHunterGirl30 May 2020
I watched this because Laura Carmichael was in it and she didn't disappoint. Her portrayal of Aggie was both disturbing and heartbreaking. She really got both sides of the character across.
The rest of the cast was fine though a lot of the characters weren't especially likeable. Once again Ryan Corr was playing a part which I think he could've done a lot more with than he was given the chance to.
Some aspects of the plot were predictable but there were also a couple of twists I really didn't see coming.
The Sydney locations were a welcomed change from all the Australian TV/movies that are always set in either Melbourne or the Outback.
Episode 5 (of 6) was by far the best and it's a shame the finale left a few too many loose ends and was a little anticlimactic.
Overall, I enjoyed the show. It's not the greatest thing I've ever watched but it's certainly not the worst. It's always nice to watch Australian productions which are sadly few and far between.
The rest of the cast was fine though a lot of the characters weren't especially likeable. Once again Ryan Corr was playing a part which I think he could've done a lot more with than he was given the chance to.
Some aspects of the plot were predictable but there were also a couple of twists I really didn't see coming.
The Sydney locations were a welcomed change from all the Australian TV/movies that are always set in either Melbourne or the Outback.
Episode 5 (of 6) was by far the best and it's a shame the finale left a few too many loose ends and was a little anticlimactic.
Overall, I enjoyed the show. It's not the greatest thing I've ever watched but it's certainly not the worst. It's always nice to watch Australian productions which are sadly few and far between.
Intriguing and intense
mepwalker314 July 2020
I found the storyline and character development very intriguing. I did predict some of what happened but that's only because I watch a lot of thriller/crime shows. However, there were a few twists that surprised me! I watched 6 episodes in 2 days so that definitely counts for something. I enjoyed it though and would recommend!
A mixed bag
MammaGroda14 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Now that I've seen the final episode, I find I have mixed feelings about this mini-series. Contrary to some other reviewers, I didn't think it redundant, in spite of some fairly cliché situations, such as the husband cheating on his pregnant wife or his best friend probably being the real baby daddy - I admit I saw both of those coming a mile off.
On the whole, though, the suspense held up for me, in particular the sequence of events in the hospital surrounding the actual kidnapping. Some revelations were also nicely conveyed: the panned shot near the very end of episode 5 was quite jolting. But there were so many threads left hanging throughout. And the bungled police involvement seemed thoroughly unrealistic, especially in the last episode. Quite the continuity problem, too, with which detective is where, now? Also, how do you 'lose' a guy lamming it on a bridge?! With one officer perfectly able to follow on foot but giving up much too soon AND a squad car more than close enough to overcome the runner?
Another difficulty I had was really caring about most of the protagonists: pouty, spoilt Meghan; her blue-eyed, blond-haired, two-timing hubby; hubby's so-called best friend, who took advantage of a distraught young wife; selfish sailor-boy who has to be scolded by mom and dad into 'doing the right thing.' The one character I can say earned my sympathy along the way was poor, unstable Aggie, played achingly well by Laura Carmichael. What a miserable, horrible life she'd had from the outset, with no support, no one in her corner to look out or fight for her. No wonder she came undone.
Ultimately, it was the voice-overs at the very end, especially Meghan's, that made me change my initial rating from 7 or 8 stars to 6½. One, they're totally unnecessary - unless the writers were looking for a follow-up? Even then, it was an awkward way of going about it, because... Two, the sudden shift in perspective jars with the tone of everything that's come before.
Bottom line: I enjoyed the suspense but found the flaws distracting.
On the whole, though, the suspense held up for me, in particular the sequence of events in the hospital surrounding the actual kidnapping. Some revelations were also nicely conveyed: the panned shot near the very end of episode 5 was quite jolting. But there were so many threads left hanging throughout. And the bungled police involvement seemed thoroughly unrealistic, especially in the last episode. Quite the continuity problem, too, with which detective is where, now? Also, how do you 'lose' a guy lamming it on a bridge?! With one officer perfectly able to follow on foot but giving up much too soon AND a squad car more than close enough to overcome the runner?
Another difficulty I had was really caring about most of the protagonists: pouty, spoilt Meghan; her blue-eyed, blond-haired, two-timing hubby; hubby's so-called best friend, who took advantage of a distraught young wife; selfish sailor-boy who has to be scolded by mom and dad into 'doing the right thing.' The one character I can say earned my sympathy along the way was poor, unstable Aggie, played achingly well by Laura Carmichael. What a miserable, horrible life she'd had from the outset, with no support, no one in her corner to look out or fight for her. No wonder she came undone.
Ultimately, it was the voice-overs at the very end, especially Meghan's, that made me change my initial rating from 7 or 8 stars to 6½. One, they're totally unnecessary - unless the writers were looking for a follow-up? Even then, it was an awkward way of going about it, because... Two, the sudden shift in perspective jars with the tone of everything that's come before.
Bottom line: I enjoyed the suspense but found the flaws distracting.
better as ninety minutes
SnoopyStyle22 April 2021
Two pregnant women are close to their due dates. Agatha Fyfle (Laura Carmichael) is alone and working at a grocery store. Meghan Shaughnessy (Jessica De Gouw) has two young kids and her family is outwardly well off. In reality, her family is in financial trouble and she is being harassed by someone unknown.
This is a six-part hour long Australian mini-series. Quite frankly, I think this would work better as a ninety minutes movie. First, Agatha's secret is obvious right from the beginning. At least, the show doesn't drag out the reveal and gives it up at the end of the first episode. It would be kind to call it anti-climatic. I still like the performances. I'm a Carmichael fan. She's good at this interesting role. Meghan has some good intriguing stuff going on, too. It's interesting with the two contrasting women. I just think that this should be not more than a ninety minutes movie.
This is a six-part hour long Australian mini-series. Quite frankly, I think this would work better as a ninety minutes movie. First, Agatha's secret is obvious right from the beginning. At least, the show doesn't drag out the reveal and gives it up at the end of the first episode. It would be kind to call it anti-climatic. I still like the performances. I'm a Carmichael fan. She's good at this interesting role. Meghan has some good intriguing stuff going on, too. It's interesting with the two contrasting women. I just think that this should be not more than a ninety minutes movie.
Keep me interested as it picked up pace
agro_sydney13 January 2021
Beautifully filmed in Sydney and Katoomba with great atmosphere. Laura Carmichael is amazingly talented in the role of Aggie. The story is very predictable at first but there are a few unexpected twists once the pace picks up. Laura Carmichael and Jessica De Gouw outshine the male actors in this heartbreaking thriller. Also a good advertisement for Sydney Trains which are featured throughout the series.
Definitely worth a watch.
Worth a watch
lauradeebishop10 July 2020
Entertainment. Good enough to keep the viewer interested.
ToneBalone6010 July 2020
Yes it was predictable.
Yes we knew the outcome.
Yes it was full of ridiculous plotholes
However it does the job of entertaining the audience which is ultimately the only real purpose of TV drama.
Enjoyable bingeworthy ozzie TV.
Enjoyable bingeworthy ozzie TV.
Why the haters?
petzza3114 May 2020
So many negative reviews...I wonder if we're watching the same show? This show is a rare shining light in a free to air tv land populated with mind- numbing reality shows. Ok, the acting could be better - the actor playing Jack is strangely wooden, but Laura Carmichael's creepy, unhinged Aggie is perfect. I usually don't give much time to FTA tv, but this show makes me want to see how it plays out.
Worth A Watch
dgjones-6225831 March 2021
After the first two episodes I was going to award four stars because it was so slow in building the characters. The second half of the show is eight star material, so I recommend sticking with it.
It's not an original idea but the acting and production values also make it worth sticking with.
It's not an original idea but the acting and production values also make it worth sticking with.
Easy to watch but gripping
eveaz88869 July 2020
Pretty good!
kums-8045626 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Pretty gripping so far. Into the sixth episode now. Few things bothered me though. The boyfriend reports Agatha to the police as possible suspect. The police talk to Agatha bungle up without crosschecking properly and walk away. After it becomes known later that Agatha is the kidnapper the police accuse the boyfriend of being an accomplice. Idiots - I mean the script writer that is. The instance when the mother accuses her husband of being responsible for the baby's dissappearance was despicable and heartless. Apart from that the six episodes were pretty good and held my attention throughout.
The only thing missing is aliens
kay_rock6 April 2021
It's well written and well acted and all that, definitely something to watch... but they jam-packed this little mini-series with just about every single dramatic conflict you could imagine. By the third episode I was laughing out loud as yet one more popular current theme got introduced. Really, they could describe this as: "Two women experience every type of imaginable dramatic cliche ever written in a short period of time, leading them towards the inexorable and obviously foreshadowed conflict between the two of them."
It's pretty much every single miniseries you ever saw smashed into a single miniseries.
It's pretty much every single miniseries you ever saw smashed into a single miniseries.
Disturbing
eddn-m-u-205-93934813 January 2023
Well, it kept me watching that's for sure but considered turning off half way through episode 5 as it made me feel sick.
I literally cannot wrap my head round how messed up some people are.
You have to feel kinda sorry for her but at the same time she is a monster created by other monsters.
It's pretty brutal.
It is good but I wouldn't watch it again.
Apart from that. The actors were great and the story is gripping.
I would recommend if you are not to sensitive to something that will lingure in your head.
I am deffo enjoying Happy Valley alot more.
Also Unforgotton is still the best BBC/ITV drama I have seen so far.
I literally cannot wrap my head round how messed up some people are.
You have to feel kinda sorry for her but at the same time she is a monster created by other monsters.
It's pretty brutal.
It is good but I wouldn't watch it again.
Apart from that. The actors were great and the story is gripping.
I would recommend if you are not to sensitive to something that will lingure in your head.
I am deffo enjoying Happy Valley alot more.
Also Unforgotton is still the best BBC/ITV drama I have seen so far.
Watchable but lacked closure.
billiejoesmum13 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This wasn't truly as bad as all the reviews, but it had its flaws.
The stolen baby story was okay, but the 'dressed as a nurse and pretended to take it for a blood test' trope is so overdone. I'm sure they could have thought of a more original plot device if they'd put their minds to it.
Whilst the actions of the mother are all entirely understandable, it was Aggie that really seemed to draw the most sympathy, she really must have been broken by her experiences. Her character (and Carmichael) is what saved this.
My biggest gripe, and this is a big one - what happened to the other 3??! They put in that aerial shot of the graves as a big plot twist, then never explained what happened to them. Did she roll over one (as implied), did she fail to feed them? One death is possible, 3 is not.
Also, why could she not have any more babies? Did she lie about IVF and steal one to trick her husband, or did she actually have IVF and another baby died??
There's so many unanswered questions that they could have spent better time answering those, rather than dropping them in and just dragging out the marital bed hopping by the others.
Also, did anyone else notice her accent? She seemed to be doing an accent at first but by episode 3/4, she was supposed to be English, and lost the accent completely by the end.
The stolen baby story was okay, but the 'dressed as a nurse and pretended to take it for a blood test' trope is so overdone. I'm sure they could have thought of a more original plot device if they'd put their minds to it.
Whilst the actions of the mother are all entirely understandable, it was Aggie that really seemed to draw the most sympathy, she really must have been broken by her experiences. Her character (and Carmichael) is what saved this.
My biggest gripe, and this is a big one - what happened to the other 3??! They put in that aerial shot of the graves as a big plot twist, then never explained what happened to them. Did she roll over one (as implied), did she fail to feed them? One death is possible, 3 is not.
Also, why could she not have any more babies? Did she lie about IVF and steal one to trick her husband, or did she actually have IVF and another baby died??
There's so many unanswered questions that they could have spent better time answering those, rather than dropping them in and just dragging out the marital bed hopping by the others.
Also, did anyone else notice her accent? She seemed to be doing an accent at first but by episode 3/4, she was supposed to be English, and lost the accent completely by the end.
Routine presentation of a tired trope
bosporan22 May 2022
An intriguing premise, albeit not novel, indeed it has been 'done to death'. The two principal characters are well played and decently fleshed out by Laura Carmichael and Jessica De Gouw. Surprisingly Agatha is the more relatable of the two, who despite her obvious problems is open and honest about who she is and possesses a peculiar charm; Meghan, however, lacks charisma and is scheming, duplicitous and selfish.
Despite solid protagonist performances, this is doomed to be average at best given the lack of originality, the one dimensional plot and the overall predictability. There are a few intriguing tweaks along the way, but nothing that elevates it to great television.
Despite solid protagonist performances, this is doomed to be average at best given the lack of originality, the one dimensional plot and the overall predictability. There are a few intriguing tweaks along the way, but nothing that elevates it to great television.
Loved it!
therese_ryderman7 July 2020
Evil Edith
elliotjeory13 July 2020
Surprisingly good drama series set in Australia. Like Neighbours for adults. Edith is excellent as the cunning child snatcher. It reminds me of the Netflix show The Stranger. Each episode is a cliffhanger and at 6 episodes it's good for a box set binge.
Enjoyed it!
yangivy27 May 2020
Had to create an account after seeing all the negative reviews, one was complaining about this ads shown on materchef breaks and gave a one star??? Seriously!
I enjoyed watching this and "lady Edith's" acting, not too bad!
I enjoyed watching this and "lady Edith's" acting, not too bad!
Worth a watch
nools-603178 August 2020
A tense, gripping watch.
Sleepin_Dragon5 May 2021
An incredibly watchable six part series, we all watch drama to be entertained, when it has the ability to make you feel as well, it's a winner, and this will make you feel all sorts. You will feel anger, frustration, pity, you will be left on the edge of your seat.
The end of the first episode sets the tone, it presents you with a major plot twist, if you are unaware of the premise, you will be shocked.
It doesn't drag, not does it dip, it isn't a series where I found myself saying that it needed to be done over three or four parts, it held my attention throughout.
The acting is first rate, a terrific cast, with a masterclass from Laura Carmichael, she is first rate throughout.
It was so good during lockdown to have a new and original drama series, it hit the mark as far as I was concerned, 8/10.
The end of the first episode sets the tone, it presents you with a major plot twist, if you are unaware of the premise, you will be shocked.
It doesn't drag, not does it dip, it isn't a series where I found myself saying that it needed to be done over three or four parts, it held my attention throughout.
The acting is first rate, a terrific cast, with a masterclass from Laura Carmichael, she is first rate throughout.
It was so good during lockdown to have a new and original drama series, it hit the mark as far as I was concerned, 8/10.
thrilling and educating
maaathenys24 July 2020
Addictive
Sara_Tor23 July 2022
This is good for a weekend binge. It's a creepy, soapy thriller and Laura Carmichael completely embodies Agatha, humanizing her as the villain. Like other people said, the show is predictable, which is one reason I gave it a 6. I think the show had more potential with the wider cast to be involved.
It was okay
therealanoni13 September 2020
Okay and predicable. I can say this series held my interest. I am wondering if the Australian police in real life are as dumb as they are portrayed in this series. If the Australian justice system is equally as bad, it would not be inconceivable for there to be a second series when Aggie is let out in one year.
Abuse Story Line Lame
kbowlin-4146815 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Interesting twists and turns in this series.
Great for a binge watch for an afternoon. It drew me in because I wanted to know the secret. Truth is there were many and most everyone had one or two. The most obvious one is Agatha. You always wonder how people dont know someone is faking a pregnancy. Watch Agatha, she'll show you how. But abuse story line clearly written by someone that is not an insider of Jehovahs Witnesses. Terms, behaviors, etc is almost funny it was so off.."Saving souls" is not even a term they use. Lame. Other than that, I like the series. It's entertaining, suspenseful and mysterious. Enjoy.
Great for a binge watch for an afternoon. It drew me in because I wanted to know the secret. Truth is there were many and most everyone had one or two. The most obvious one is Agatha. You always wonder how people dont know someone is faking a pregnancy. Watch Agatha, she'll show you how. But abuse story line clearly written by someone that is not an insider of Jehovahs Witnesses. Terms, behaviors, etc is almost funny it was so off.."Saving souls" is not even a term they use. Lame. Other than that, I like the series. It's entertaining, suspenseful and mysterious. Enjoy.
See also
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