missericacourt Despite writing this a few years after the show's release, I feel compelled to write a review after re-watching some clips.The premise is simple. A medium, a sceptic, and a lot of paranormal activity. What sets this apart from other, similarly plotted shows and films is the incredible atmosphere and suspense built throughout each episode, and the fantastic performance of Lesley Sharp, whose depiction of depressed medium Alison is utterly compelling, powerful and, most impressive, very believable.Never before had I seen such a moving, emotional, tense and creepy TV show, and never have I been more disappointed that a show has been stopped. That being said, the two series were beautifully wrapped up, with a neat story arc and a final episode that was quite simply perfect. After watching it, I sat there in shock for a good while, barely believing how beautifully written and presented it was.I won't reveal the ending, but let's just say you may need a box of tissues on hand - I was sobbing! And for a few episodes, maybe a cushion to hide behind!

galensaysyes This is one of the great supernatural TV series--which may not be such a distinction, with so few to choose from. But this program is good enough to hold its own against any number of comers. I don't know how it went over in England, and I don't know that it's ever played in the U.S., but it should be better known than it is.It's about a woman who can communicate with the dead: Ghost Whisperer, in other words. But this one is done in the more disturbing vein of British suspense, intercrossed with the more sober vein of British proletarian drama. In the latter line, the show makes a real effort to imagine what a person who was always hearing from dead people would be like in real life: i.e. screwed up; but not screwed up all the time; and the less so the more integrated her personality became. To the people who can't see what she can, she sounds crazy; when, driven by what she's seen, she tells them what not to do, she's so desperate she looks crazy. When we first see her, we think the same of her; then we get to know her better and see she isn't.The UK have a way of coming up with shows that require unusual personalities, and then finding unusual actors who have them. Lesley Sharp is a perfect choice for this role: she can look both nutty and wise, ragged and hierophantic, at the same time.I imagine some people would prefer Ghost Whisperer to this because it isn't a horror show. For myself, I prefer my ghost stories scary.My only quibble is with Andrew Lincoln, the male lead. I wish he weren't quite so like a matinée idol. I can see that the show, lacking a conventional romantic relationship, wanted to provide something of a substitute, and chose an actor who could make his relationship with the leading character seem romantic-and-yet-not. He succeeds in that, and is sympathetic in the role (yet at the same time almost unsympathetic, as he should be), but he seems just a bit shallow.When the British do them right, their thrillers have a way of involving the audience that no others can match. I'm not sure why. I have a feeling it may spring from the peculiarly British form of neurosis, which, I have no doubt, springs in turn from their highly mannered society. Tne enforcement of mannerly behavior can't help but lead to neurosis in some cases, I would think (I'm sure it would in mine). You can't say what you feel, so you mutter; you can't move freely, so you twitch. That's probably why the British are best at ghost stories, too: ghosts are the ultimate products of neurosis, both in themselves and to those who see them, the genteelly screwed-up. Afterlife is on to that, I think.

karmasells I loved this show at first but the on again off again relationship with Robert and everyone makes me angry. Robert is a first class jerk, God help you if he was your shrink. Robert should be believer after the previous shows concerning his son. Robert's ex-wife is a bitch and can't make up her mind either. I do like the fact that all the shows do not have a happy ending. There is too much conflict between the lead players to be friends. The acting is done very well. Does everyone in England really drink that much? There is a bottle of wine in most scenes. I watched both seasons in two days like a good book I couldn't put down.

MitchellXL5 Given Lesley Sharp's involvement, I had hoped for something as special as "Bob and Rose" or "The Second Coming," where the story-telling wasn't reliant on some obvious clichés. While Sharpe's performance adds uncountable dimensions onto her character, not much else in the show does - it's the most "American style" UK show I have seen in ages.The set-up isn't very original - skeptical rationalist doubts that the medium is real, but his skepticism isn't drawn from his intellect and desire for actual proof, but from his own personal tragedies that taint his logic. In fact logic and rationality are presented as believing Sharp's character at face value - the dead do walk - and if you don't, it's just a shame that you are so blinded by your emotions. It's an unsettling turnabout in logic and it doesn't help that the skeptic is portrayed as an intellectually bullying, emotionally needling, selfish prat. The decks are stacked, conflict wise, and you already know where the series is going.I also take issue with the fact that these spirits torture Sharpe's character, demanding that she pass on messages and, yet, show quite clearly that they have the ability to take matters into their own hands - they can affect reality quite easily and often get what they want - which nullifies the entire point of the series. If the spirits are so adept at doing this, why are they bothering with using this woman to get their message across when it is so inefficient - hardly anyone believes her and she ends up having to take two steps backward for each step forward - when the spirits handle their own problems, it is much more efficient.A waste of the enormously talented Lesley Sharpe, to be sure.