When so many reviewers call a show "gripping", I get suspicious. Some people are racist by praising anything, no matter how poor, that features aboriginal actors. This mini-series has a lot of positives but there is no way that it deserves a '10 star' rating.
Deborah Mailman is better suited to comedy roles but her work here is good. Several other aboriginal actors also show their experience and talent. That said, there is a lot of 'wood' in the supporting cast. Rachel Griffiths is the 'Big Name' star and does well as a conservative version of Julia Gillard. 'PC Garfield' is a bit hammy, as usual. William McInnes reprises a role he played in another political drama.
Many plot lines are based on recent events in Australian politics (though nothing can match the reality of Australian politics).
The main problem with the production is credibility. As another reviewer pointed out, there are too many implausible events.
There have been a few very good TV series with aboriginal themes in recent years but this one, though interesting, is not quite good enough.
Review of Total Control
