DECEPTION, TV3′s FIRST-ever domestically produced drama programme, screened its second episode last night.
The first instalment ended with an “I Am Your Father” – or more precisely, “That Murdered Career Criminal Next Door Was Your Father” – moment. And brought us the memorable sight of Leigh Arnold beating up her semi-comatose husband after he “faked” his own death.
How would they top that in episode 2? It’s a tough one to call. But the show is crazy, in a good way.* Here’s why you should be tuning in.
*IMHO alert.
1. It’s set on a ghost estate
Well, sort of. It's set among six homes of the once-prestigious Bentonwood development, at least one of which is lying empty. Making it basically a symbol of Ireland today.
Bentonwood was the brainchild of faded rugby star Jack French, whose financial difficulties (and faking of his own death, in a distinctly half-hearted fashion) formed the subject of Episode 1.
You will be seeing a LOT of lingering shots of this sign...
... because it's IRONIC. As solid as the man himself? HA.
When the dead guy was found in the empty house, it was on top of a pile of torn-up Bentonwood brochures. The irony is literally killing people.
2. It contains Leigh Arnold
Playing Caitriona, the surgically-enhanced socialite wife of Jack French. She makes dramatic faces:
She sucks at DIY. Here she is "putting up curtains":
She lives in a half-finished estate house which is plainly a metaphor for her life:
And she gets lines like:
Leigh Arnold is amazing.
3. People are upset a lot
When they're upset, they do things like... clutching a tree:
There's Emma, daughter of Colleen (of whom more below).
She's just found out her father (who she was told was a French sailor or something) was a career criminal from Limerick, who has just been found next door with his head smashed in. Which, in all fairness, would be upsetting.
Other options include waving an iron (Colleen):
And if you're Michael, who suffers with unrequited love for Emma, and is the quiet type, furrowing your brow more than any brow has ever furrowed before:
4. The most stereotypical drug dealer ever
He's a scumbag, OK? You can tell by his posture, his outfit, his facial expression, and everything else about him. HE DEALS DRUGS.
He also has stereotypical customers...
... and a stereotypical supplier, who looks suspiciously like the customer with a hoodie on. Is there a shortage of extras?
Anyway. Given all this, it's maybe surprising that the dealer hasn't been picked up by the cops. But you know, it makes for entertaining telly.
5. Colleen's Face of Misery
Long-suffering mum Colleen works long hours as a taxi driver to claw her way out of a life of criminal association for the sake of her daughter Emma. Sadly, this entails doing nixers for the aforementioned worst drug dealer ever.
Also, her criminal ex-husband has been found in the empty house next door with a giant hole in his head.
So it's not surprising that she has the best Misery Face ever. Also, you'll be seeing it a LOT.
6. Drama happens in EXTREME CLOSE UP
Close:
Closer:
CLOSEST:
7. The sun never, ever shines
The Ireland of Deception is a place where the skies are always, always grey. (Much like the real Ireland.)
Hang on, is that some blue sky?
Aaaaand it's gone.
8. The police are super subtle
Here's one, doing some undercover surveillance:
9. This amazing 'teenage rebellion' montage
Furious with her mother for covering up her father's real identity, Emma heads to a local boutique to replace her sensible rig-out (her mother wants her to be a medical student) with something more adventurous.
She makes some terrible decisions.
Mk 1: All The Purple Sequins
Abomilacion.
Inexplicably, this is the one she chooses.
Clothing is big in Deception. For Emma, it's her encroaching grown-up-ness. For Caitriona, it's the life she's lost (thanks to Jack's financial disaster). For Aoife Stacey, Caitriona's friend, it's her financial lifeline - she runs a shop which, not coincidentally, sells Caitriona's cast-offs.
10. The best seduction scene ever
Courtesy of Owen, Jack French's no-good playboy son.
11. This is the way episodes end
MYSTERY HAND POINTING GUN AT SCHOOLGIRL!
BELONGS TO BARELY-SEEN BULLIED SCHOOLBOY CHARACTER TROY!
WHERE IS THIS GOING?
We'll be tuning in next week in the hope that it will get even crazier.
