Critical Condition: The Bay

The Bay | TVNZ 1, 8.30 Wednesday

☆☆☆☆ “The Bay is Broadchurch in Morecambe. I would even bet half my David Tennant memorabilia collection that was the makers’ pitch in its entirety. Why not? It’s perfect. I would have bought it as a commissioner, and as a viewer I was entirely sold … Suspects and police officers with shared secrets? Check. Information wilfully withheld by the writer? Check. Will you be hooked? Check.” — The Guardian.

☆☆☆☆ “For all the inevitable parallels with Broadchurch, Morecambe is an effective setting, still haunted by the cockle-picker tragedy and riven with the dissatisfaction that contributed to its Brexit vote. The Bay is full of people on the fringes, worn thin and making do, with never quite enough money or options. The Lancashire scenery is shot to show the odd moment of gruff beauty, with the soundtrack adding to the general sense of anxiety.” — The Independent.

☆☆☆☆ “It would be harsh to say that ITV’s The Bay is almost exactly like Broadchurch. Harsh but accurate: with missing children, a pair of mismatched detectives, a body washed up on the beach and a festering seaside setting, ITV’s new crime drama is basically Baychurch, to the point that it would be of little surprise if Olivia Colman strode in in a lank grey trouser suit and started crying.” — The Telegraph.

☆☆☆☆ “This six-part series is an emotional crime thriller with a great cast, including Morven Christie as a police liaison officer dragged into the murderous secret lives of a seaside town after two teenagers disappear … I want to love it. But my disbelief is in freefall, hurtling down through the plot holes.” — Daily Mail.

☆☆☆☆ “It’s just a glossy crime drama that, at first glance, doesn’t look like it will break any new ground … And maybe that’s all people want … They don’t want the surprise of a completely new plot, a murderered teenager’s body on the beach will do, thank you very much. If that’s the case, have I got the show for you.” — Sydney Morning Herald.