UK Does Mini-Series The Best- River is a Must Binge-Watch
Premiering on BBC One in October and on Netflix a couple of weeks ago, River is a six-part British television drama series that is the latest addition to a decent list of foreign detective shows that have capture the imaginations of American audiences (The Fall, The Politician’s Husband, Black Mirror, Broadchurch, and Wentworth).
What makes foreign TV dramas so appealing is they tend to offer longer, meatier episodes with intricate character studies but in a shorter series format. And that’s appealing for some streaming channels like Netflix, as viewers can easily digest an entire season in a weekend yet still feel like they are consuming full-length features.
River is a gripping latest Netflix must see mini-series about Detective Inspector John River (Stellan Skarsgård), a brilliant yet eccentric detective who seems destined for a straight jacket. The first episode opens with the uptight River driving through the streets of London as his laid-back partner, Detective Seargent Jackie ‘Stevie’ Stevenson (Nicola Walker), who incessantly ribs him about his lack of experience with fast food and his reluctance to sing corny 1970s British disco songs. Right off we can see that there is more to this partnership than meets the eye, that these detectives not only enjoy working with each other but genuinely enjoy each other’s company.
It’s not your run-of-the-mill plot involving a veteran detective getting stuck with some rookie as they try to solve a crime, in this case it’s a drug dealer suspected of a hit and run, so to speak. After the drug dealer, with River in hot pursuit, falls to his death the audience knows full well what is so special about the partner relationship between the two detectives: Stevie is dead and has been this entire time. River not only still sees her but carries on full conversations with her.
From this moment forward the show reveals rather quickly that River is in desperate search to find his partner’s killer, and carries with him a special gift. Or is it an affliction? After witnessing Stevie’s murder yet unable to see who pulled the trigger, he pushes closer to the breaking point even as police psychologist Rosa Fallow (Georgina Rich) and DCI Chrissie Read (Lesley Manville) try to protect him against a vengeful Superintendent Marcus McDonald (Owen Teale).
But protecting River is a tall task, as his penchant for talking to the dead doesn’t stop with Stevie. Is he a genius or simply crazy? I will not give it away and will insist that you Netflix members binge-watch. It all sounds like a farce but creator and writer Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady, Suffragette) more than pulls it off with a complicated yet enthralling whodunnit drama that is anything but a laugh. The cinematography of Hubert Taczanowski is also first-rate as is the series editing.
I watch many PBS shows and am aware of Nicola Walker’s work. The show is enthralling weaving in and out reality and possible hullucinatiins. I have been trying to find the music used in the show for possible download but don’t know where to look. If you could direct me? I would would be grateful. The review you have written is indeed “spot on.”
Hey Terry, thanks for your genuine response. We get a TON of SPAM! We LOVED “River” as much as you did. I did some research and found that Harry Escott a fellow England, UK born or otherwise UK resident was the composer for “River” Season One. Check out the IMDB link below. I hope you continue to revisit this site, read, share, and comment. Thank you again for stopping by and for your comment. I hope you have a great New Year!!!
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1879532/
I binge watched River in 2 sittings and woke up this morning with tears in my eyes still thinking about it. The heavy duty topics of grief, loss, loneliness, love are draped over a plot that reveals no one to be all good or bad and that being different and accepting difference is part of life. This series will stay with me.
Melody,
I can’t agree with you more. And I love that Netflix is ahead of their competition by taking on miniseries like “River.” It’s a series that definitely stays with you.
Thanks for your comment and for stopping by.
Can you please let me know what the name of the song is that” Stevie” sang to “River in the car, that made him smile and dance aroung in the street at the end of the “River” series? I love that song, it was so up beat that it made me feel good.