The show known as Loch Ness on Acorn TV had all the elements for a great story... except for a few significant pieces. The cinematography is as good as Shetland or Vera and the caliber of actors is excellent. Having said that, it's good this show is only six episodes long because half the show is build up with the payoff falling apart shortly thereafter.
This series has all the serial killer clichés from the 90s and 00s, but they were haphazardly thrown together with a seemingly endless parade of red herrings, and moments where important information was purposefully withheld to drag out the plot. One particular cliché that is a pet peeve of mine is the inclusion of a forensic psychologist/profiler for the sole reason of adding one. While the actor was great, for some reason the character came on the scene after only one body is found. In fact, throughout the entirety of the series there was hardly enough information to even develop a proper profile, so why include him at all, especially since the deaths in this small town can't actually be classified as serial murder? Could've simply made him the town's psychiatrist or an overreaching member of the press and he would've been more believable IMHO.
Then there's the problem of the unclear motive and unexplainable actions from the killer. It made little sense, had no logical buildup, and was completely unsatisfying. Not only that, but after the big reveal and subsequent fight the show ends without a proper conclusion, via an eyerolling attempt to segue into a second season/series, which after six years probably isn't happening.
Overall, it's not a bad show to soak up a weekend stuck indoors due to inclement weather, but it's not a particularly smart series compared to so many others of the genre. Look elsewhere if you're not one who enjoys turn off your brain entertainment. Cheers.
This series has all the serial killer clichés from the 90s and 00s, but they were haphazardly thrown together with a seemingly endless parade of red herrings, and moments where important information was purposefully withheld to drag out the plot. One particular cliché that is a pet peeve of mine is the inclusion of a forensic psychologist/profiler for the sole reason of adding one. While the actor was great, for some reason the character came on the scene after only one body is found. In fact, throughout the entirety of the series there was hardly enough information to even develop a proper profile, so why include him at all, especially since the deaths in this small town can't actually be classified as serial murder? Could've simply made him the town's psychiatrist or an overreaching member of the press and he would've been more believable IMHO.
Then there's the problem of the unclear motive and unexplainable actions from the killer. It made little sense, had no logical buildup, and was completely unsatisfying. Not only that, but after the big reveal and subsequent fight the show ends without a proper conclusion, via an eyerolling attempt to segue into a second season/series, which after six years probably isn't happening.
Overall, it's not a bad show to soak up a weekend stuck indoors due to inclement weather, but it's not a particularly smart series compared to so many others of the genre. Look elsewhere if you're not one who enjoys turn off your brain entertainment. Cheers.