454. Web-series Reviews – 251

More web-series reviews…

 

Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari – Came in 2025. Explores the mysterious death of Bianca Rudolph on an African hunting trip. Accused is wealthy Pittsburgh-area dentist Larry Rudolph.

A review from iMDB...

This documentary could have been done in an hour, period. Instead we are subjected to silly music accompanying interviews that are rambling, and frankly, not necessary in telling this story. In fact it's about a creepy dentist who thought he was above the laws of nature, not to mention the laws of man, and how he hunted not just animals, but women. Obviously considering both of them less than human. He really was his biggest admirer. He was a sociopath and when people got in his way he got rid of them. He was about the worst type of man you could imagine and this documentary actually goes into details I'd have rather not known. Be forewarned.

My Take – An ok series. True story!

 

Ellis – Came in 2025. DCI Ellis and DS Harper arrive at police stations to solve murder cases. Despite being overlooked, Ellis is a determined detective driven by a quest for justice and compassion.

A review from iMDB...

Its kind of pathetic that people will take a couple of small instances of something they don't appreciate (no handshaking) after one single broadcast episode, and exaggerate and extrapolate that into an entirely false persona. Early reviewers were just cribbing each other's words to beat the drum of "wooden," "wooden," "dull," "dull." So lame! The acting for the Ellis character is just fine, as is much of the other acting in this production, though not all.

The main character is black and middle-aged, is serious, direct and plain-spoken, is practical, asks for exactly what is called for, is very capable, and it seems like maybe the first two characteristics might be the main problem for some individuals... is she supposed to be deferential, congenial, giggly and tap-dancing? She's thoughtful and compassionate in her interviews, jokes around in a very low-key manner with her colleagues, smiles when significant progress is made in the investigation, and expresses gratitude. Is the problem that she's not a total suck-up?

At first, she has an overly needy colleague who is petulant, and a bit desperate for social connection. I don't think the main character is the issue, here. Some people aren't interested in fluffy getting-to-know-you stuff, and it certainly doesn't influence the outcome of an investigation, nor does pointless over-sharing of every thought, as if everything needs to be a collaboration. This relationship evens out to be more functionally cooperative.

The main boss-dude on home turf is overly defensive, territorial, jealous, and he's both sexist and racist, while under-performing at his job. It hardly seems unusual, and looks to be a fairly realistic portrayal. The main character wastes no time at all trying to get him on side, or bothering to aim to correct his wrongheadedness. What would be the point? He's totally shut down and thoroughly unfriendly, and depicted as spending too much of his time being undermining, gossipy, and angry, while taking sloppy shortcuts.

In Ep 2, the out-of-town boss and his toadie are even more off-putting! Much of the episode shines a harsh light on the injustices women suffer both in the workplace and as community members affected by crimes. The investigation is intriguing, if a bit sloppily presented.

In the 2nd Ep, Ellis' tone has somewhat changed, and not for the better. Although, the reasons are pretty clear: being accused of something one isn't guilty of, being treated with smarmy insincerity and false cooperation, being manipulated, lied to, and obstructed. There's no reason to be 'friendly' under the above circumstances.

Still solidly average and watchable.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Code of Silence – Came in 2025. Alison Woods, deaf caterer, works to support her mother, and herself. Alison is asked by the police to lip-read conversations with dangerous criminals. Alison starts to fall for one of the suspects, but will not abandon the investigation.

A review from iMDB...

Detectives find themselves without an expert lip reader, urgency means they have to turn to Alison Woods, an employee at the Station canteen. The team are attempting to bring down a group of dangerous criminals, who only meet in wide open spaces, Alison prices invaluable, but things get complicated when she gets close to one of the suspects.

Code of Silence is an excellent series, if you haven't seen it yet, I'd urge you to make some time and binge watch it, it's gripping, must watch TV. It's important, amazing that we're seeing more deaf actors having central roles.

So many shows struggle to fill 6 episodes, not that case here, every episode is rich in content.

It's packed with tension and intrigue, in the first few episodes you will quite literally be on the edge of your seat, it will hold your interest from start to finish.

Rose Ayling-Ellis follows a busy spell, appearing in Dr. Who and the terrific Reunion, she puts in another superb performance here, as does Kieron Moore, who's equally good. If you haven't seen Reunion yet, I urge you to do so.

I loved it.

My Take – A good series! 

Adios till next time😊!!