YES: TV WEEK’s assistant editor Stephen Downie thinks a second season of Top Of The Lake should have been made.
Top Of The Lake has never been a crime series. Sure, the discovery of a dead body is the catalyst for a murder investigation.
But the police work takes a back seat to the human drama around Robin (Elisabeth Moss) trying to connect with her daughter, Mary (Alice Englert).
In short, this is more of a character-based drama than a cop show.
Elisabeth delivers a mesmerising and very relatable performance.
In fact, the acting overall is of a very high standard. After her excellent work in Big Little Lies, Nicole Kidman once again proves why she’s one of our best actresses.
Nicole Kidman is almost unrecognisable in season two of TOTL.
Her character, Julia, may not be all that likeable, but you can’t tear your eyes away from the screen when she’s there.
Her scenes with David Dencik’s Puss are dynamite.
I totally understand this season may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s grimy, meditative and a little oddball.
But, that’s Jane Campion at her best. She’s never going to deliver a straight-forward drama. Jane’s work is layered and, much like life itself, complicated.
Comparisons to the first season are unfortunate, if inevitable.
If Jane had delivered a similar season to the first she would have been accused of having no fresh ideas.
Ultimately, if you want light, fluffy television, then go watch The Bachelor Australia.
Elisabeth Moss, Gwendoline Christie & director Jane Campion on set.
NO:
TV WEEK’s news editor Kietley Isrin thinks the series should have stopped at one season.
As an enormous fan of the first season, I wanted to like this new one, but unfortunately it’s fallen short.
Robin is a far cry from the confident, strong, independent detective we saw in season one.
She seems insecure, awkward and just generally lacking in energy and interest.
Besides some “detective” stuff, she spends a lot of time hanging around, shopping for jaffle makers or fending off advances from pretty much every male she comes into contact with!
Gwendoline and Elisabeth as Miranda and Robin.
It also becomes evident early on that all the male characters are lacking substance.
It’s great to have a show that showcases strong female characters, but does it have to be at the expense of all the male ones?
There are so many characters in the first episode – and the back and forth between them all makes the story very slow to unfold and rather confusing.
The series centres more on Robin’s personal struggles than the actual murder and prostitution ring.
Actor David Dencik as Puss in Top Of The Lake.
A young girl is dead and found floating in a suitcase and a group of young Asian girls are being abused and exploited in the sex trade.
But by episode three, there’s still no emotional investment in these characters.
As usual, Jane is a master at making the viewer feel uneasy and at building intrigue.
And, Sydney really does look beautiful. But, unfortunately, compared to the first series, this one doesn’t compare.
The city of Sydney had a starring role in the latest series.
