Khun Kru Mark
A good title 'secrets and lies' as it seems that everyone has something to hide.On the way to uncovering the killer of a five year old boy, a small community and even the cops are thrown to the audience as sacrificial red herrings. Even if they aren't guilty of murder, they'll be found guilty of something!Everyone plays their part well and all ten episodes are filled with drama and excitement.I haven't seen the Aussie version but ABC (and the networks) seem to be finally catching up with the quality of content put out by the less restricted cable, internet and pay networks.Even though it's aired on a family friendly network, there's an extended scene of torture which Americans seem to find OK for kids to be subject to. I'm not sure why Americans find torture and violence OK for kids but sex seems to be limited to almost Victorian standards of restriction.Nevertheless, ABC have overcome these hindrances with remarkable skill and produced a gripping drama.Juliette Lewis (who seems to be in everything in one form or another) has signed on for the second season, but as yet nobody else has. Maybe this will turn in to her show. I hope so.
lisajoann
I think by giving this show 4* I am being generous. I am only on episode two and I am horrified how the Americans have ruined an amazing Australian crime drama! The original Australian version was one of the best crime dramas I have seen in years. It was captivating, enthral lung and really kept you on your toes. It had a phenomenal script and an even better cast which you really felt for and cared about.In this crappy remake Juliette lewis is beyond awful! That woman cannot act! Ryan Phillipe is OK but doesn't come across as a man that loves his family- there is absolutely no chemistry between him and the kids or his wife. It's like they just got a group of random people together and made hem live under one roof rather than spending the time to find actors who will appear as a family! One of the great things about the Australian version was the pace of the show, things unravelled in a natural way and it felt like we were watching a real life story unfold within the press and within the family. Cut to: American version... It's soooo rushed and forced! It's like they're trying to make you like the characters but they give no background or depth to them in the slightest! I honestly believe if they HAD to remake this show (which I really don't believe they should have) then the Brits would have done a far better job at adapting it yet keeping it as true to the original as possible so it wouldn't tarnish it! If the Brits had remade it, it would have been closer to their amazing show broadchurch rather than some crappy melodrama that's worthy of the American soap operas!
cassidyorme
what a terrible terrible show.. i could barely get through episode one and didn't finish episode two..i don't know anyone that wants to watch a show where the cops go after someone so blindly, its just stupid.. the characters aren't interesting, the dialogue sucks, and nothing even happens except for exhausting, ridiculously repetitive back and forth with the cops.. i like to watch shows that give me emotions the only emotion i feel with this show is irritation.. and not a good irritation I'm just irritated to death that the the back and forth is so meaningless and boring... ill read how cliff notes but probably won't watch another episode
waynebeau23-1
I was very disappointed in the writing that came up with an absurd conclusion about who killed Tom. I just simply don't/didn't "buy it" for an instant. I was impressed with the performance of Ryan Phillippe who had his work cutout for himself since the writers didn't seem to ever really decide if "he done it" or "he didn't done it". Actually, I got the impression that they were making it up as they went along week-to-week. Sadly, leaving it as they left it makes me rather indifferent as to whether-or-not there will be a second season. I was pleased that they did finally explain the weirdness that was Juliette Lewis and justify what seemed like just bad acting in the early episodes. SECRETS AND LIES did hold my attention but the reveal is preposterous!