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Mystery Road - Origin starts Sat 7 Janaury 2023 9pm on BBC 4

29 replies

IwantToRetire · 07/01/2023 19:02

BBC 4 has shown the series Mystery Road in this slot over the past few years. Must have been popular enough that they have now made a prequel series. Ep 1 & 2 tonight.

The original was always very grim, violent men and terrible racism and I think had Judy Davis in.

Not sure if I am up to it but in case anyone else is interested.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dp7r3q

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ihaveopinions · 09/01/2023 19:25

We watched the 2 episode opener but I was finding it a bit depressing. Not many sympathetic characters, rough landscapes and the menacing undercurrent of life in a macho outback town. It might pick up.

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IwantToRetire · 09/01/2023 20:10

I did watch episode 1 and yes it was grim. Doesn't help that I watched the original series when he is older and it was shown as being just as grim, so cant even watch thinking things will improve!

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IwantToRetire · 12/01/2023 16:13

I've now watched episode 2. And yes it is grim. But I think part of the interest for me is what is shows about life in Australia, which clearly isn't all beach life and fun!

I know other tv series have used this as a back drop, but each time I feel I learn something new. That Ball thing!!!! What was that about.

Strangely I think this is a bit more upbeat than the originals which are about his later life. I suppose here he is still sort of optimistic hoping that he will be able to have a sucessful career despite the open racism.

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MrsVeryTired · 12/01/2023 19:36

I'm enjoying it, find the bleak (presumably) realistic outback life interesting. I liked the previous series too.

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/01/2023 22:28

I loved s1&2

quite fancy jay

will download 1&2

WinterFoxes · 13/01/2023 00:32

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/01/2023 22:28

I loved s1&2

quite fancy jay

will download 1&2

'quite fancy jay' is an understatement Grin
I thought I was long past having crushes on TV actors. But Jay...

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/01/2023 03:34

@WinterFoxes he is very cute

and when see him top less in previous series

blondes fans herself

ihaveopinions · 13/01/2023 11:11

Yes, Jay from the other series was definitely part of the attraction! The actor playing the younger Jay is believable casting but he's no Aaron Pedersen.

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/01/2023 19:56

Oh. It’s not the same jay 😢

duc748 · 14/01/2023 22:01

He's never heard of, turn that frown upside down, has he? 😀 These strong, silent, monosyllabic types can get a bit wearing.

WinterFoxes · 14/01/2023 23:58

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/01/2023 03:34

@WinterFoxes he is very cute

and when see him top less in previous series

blondes fans herself

Grin
duc748 · 15/01/2023 23:39

I'm catching up to ep #3 in this now, which is TV pace, isn't it? Bit surprised the buff young Jay got taken down by a drunk.

ihaveopinions · 22/01/2023 11:33

So, I've now watched the entire series and I can't say it got much better. Frankly, by the last two episodes I had lost the plot and so had Mystery Road Origin! What the heck was going on? I'm also really glad I don't live in one of those god forsaken outback towns surrounded by miles of dust, rock and abandoned mine shafts.

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IwantToRetire · 22/01/2023 17:49

I finished watching last night, and some of the plot threads came together for me, but not all. Wasn't sure if it was them or me. I am always a bit slow working out what is going on, let alone who everyone is.

Also I did have a problem as they seem to record people speaking at different levels. So for one scene everyone was clearly audible, then the next scene they all seemed to be whispering. So irritating.

But as I have watched the original two series which show the main character in later life, it was actually a bid sad seeing them heading off into a new life, knowing how it would turn out.

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amberedover · 22/01/2023 21:53

yes - struggling with how Pete the police chief was involved and why he was arrested .

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IwantToRetire · 22/01/2023 23:12

For me it was one of those mumbly bits, but I thought it was for covering up. Or rather having suspicions but not investigating. But maybe not!

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amberedover · 23/01/2023 08:38

Thanks @IwantToRetire .I've googled ,but none the wiser!
Pretty major plot twist.Shame we can't figure out the reason..

I'm sure Jay said to him something along the lines of "you put a gun in my father's hand" and then something about me (Jay) suffering and the whole town ?

i think i'll watch that bit again .

amberedover · 23/01/2023 09:25

Not rewatched but found (a strangely written)review that explains that Jay's father's murder by Patrick was covered up by (presumably) Pete the police chief .

nerdsthatgeek.com/television/mystery-road-origin-recap-episode-5-episode-6

duc748 · 23/01/2023 14:35

I think I got up to ep #4, and I'm umming and ah-ing about whether to bother continuing. None of the characters are very likeable, and it's slooow.

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IwantToRetire · 23/01/2023 16:08

Thanks for the nerdsthatgeek link. It explains more than I remember. I have found that in most crime based tv series I have to watch twice, as on the first occassion I just manage to get the more obvious plot links. Second time round I am able to take in hints and suggestions and things going on in the back ground.

Also wonder if it might be easier to understand with a better knowledge of the history of the colonisation of Australia. And Aboriginal culture.

But will admit that on one level I would have preferred that it had been more about mundane day to day crimes, and Jay interacting with that and his homecoming.

Was totally taken aback to find his mother was living just round the corner and he hadn't gone to say hello!

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amberedover · 23/01/2023 17:00

I really enjoyed it duc .The landscape seemed so real ,the salt flats ,the dust ,the isolation ,the small town mentality.
I also thought the portrayal of racism was very good ,quite subtle and layered .

duc748 · 23/01/2023 17:14

All that's true, but is it enough? 😀

It'll prob end up being decided by how many other series I have on the go.

amberedover · 23/01/2023 19:59

It was for me ! I liked the twists in the plot .
But of course what I really liked and have left to last were ...the defense lawyers brown themed outfits !

Mystery Road - Origin starts Sat 7 Janaury 2023 9pm on BBC 4
midsomermurderess · 24/01/2023 15:14

I wanted to like this but I’m finding it very dour and plodding. People could take note of eg Sally Wainwright’s writing and use some humour. It leavens things and it’s also normal human behaviour even, or especially, when things are bleak.

Botheredland · 26/01/2023 19:50

Wasn't mystery road a movie? And I'm sure there were 2 others. I loved them.
Never knew there were any series