Top of the Lake : China Girl

Wasn't it strange! Don't know if it was the acting or the script. We enjoyed series 1, although I can't remember it, so will give it another chance. The main policewoman gave up a child for adoption. The child is the stroppy teenager with the unpleasant older boyfriend.

Same here with regards series 1.As someone that gets very claustrophobic the body in the suitcase was the stuff of nightmares for me [well, even without claustrophobia it would be ].Not something I'd like to watch with DD or DS [not that that's likely to happen]. Will stick wih it, though, if only to see Brianne [sp] from Game of Thrones.

I could just hear a few sighs from near me.
Then a snore as DH nodded off.

Are any of the characters normal?
I was expecting more from it from all the previews; perhaps it will improve.

The most shocking thing was that pavlova going in the bin

There are a lot of seemingly interconnected storylines! DH thinks it has bad language and crude but I don't bother too much as I am a nurse and we have a crude sense of humour!
I don't know what it has to do with the top of a lake - thought Bondi Beach was on the sea!
It may improve!

I watched 3 episodes of the first series (which actually was set on a lake), but hated the misogyny and crudeness which I found depressing. When this new series was being trailered, I tried rewatching the first couple of episodes of the first series in case I had missed something good, but no ...... I gave up. I think it's depressing, and not my thing at all, and won't be watching Series 2.

Jalima
Pensionpat, thanks. She, the policewoman, must have been very young when she had her baby.
I did think the script writers were using all and everything to shock, but then maybe I've led a sheltered life.

I hated the misogynistic characters and the general darkness of it. Please don't tell me that this is normal "down under"? - it has to be ridiculous stereotypes, in which case it makes the thing even worse as being totally unrealistic.
Gave up after half and hour.

I think that the author has taken every stereotypical situation known to mankind and thrown them together in one 'drama' thinking that this creates 'realism'. I do know that there is a seedy underbelly to all places but to have every character with a 'topical' characteristic would be unusual in RL.

Some Australian males have in the past tended to have a MCP attitude to life, I think, but Australian women have done a great job of fighting back. I only know a couple of Australian policemen and they tend to be rather misogynistic, however I don't know if they are typical.

Half watched the first episode of series 1 but didn't take to it. I decided to watch last nights and was hooked!
Apparently the detective was 15 when she had the daughter, the result of rape.

Glad its not only me who found this hard work. And yes, the mysogony was truly unpleasant. May give it another try. Or may not!

I thoroughly agree with J52!!!!
I watched the first series and found it so good! Such a welcome change from the usual crime series! If you didn't like the language or mysogyony then don't watch anymore! I am going to watch part 2 on iPlayer!
P.s the Pavlova looked delicious, what a pity to waste it!!

I was gripped by the first series! It was set in New Zeealand and there were some wonderful scenery shots - a lot of the action seemed to take place out of doors, I think there was a women's commune involved.

I could hardly believe the misogyny, athough it was good to see a leading female character who wasn't the usual glamorous type. Since then, of course, we've seen Elisabeth Moss in quite a few productions.

This series just seems a lot darker and nastier already - don't know how long I'll stick with it...

I didn't like it much either but I didn't see the first series so I will give this a bit of a go. It might be a bit gritty for me. I didn't watch the last thing that Elizabeth Moss was in either. I was curious to see Gwen Christie. She is quite a glamorous model apparently but seems to be making a career out of playing the most unglamorous females - cue Captain Phasma in the recent Star Wars film and Brienne of Tarth as Tegan says. I think there may be a dark side to her character in this.

She seems very strange in this. Must have a look at her more glamorous photos!

Goodness - doesn't she scrub up well!

And she is English, I didn't realise. I've never heard of her before.

I always listen to the commentary on Game of Thrones, and love it when Gwen is involved; she's got a great sense of humour. Has been in quite a few films but, like Peter Dinklage, it's as if the role of Brienne was written for her.I'll be interested to see what happens to her character in this.

Before this new series, the previous one was shown, I think last week. I just didn't get it - it was so weird and I found it really unconvincing and boring - so I haven't even bothered to watch this.

Having seen the first series, I am enjoying this more, getting to know the character, I've seen 2 episodes and I'm gripped. Didn't realise Nicole Kidman was in it too.

I thought Elizabeth Moss was also great in the handmaids tale ..... Both quite challenging roles.

Haven't watched the first series but didn't immediately like this at all only watched episode one so far but finding it a struggle what a bunch of horrible characters only the father seems normal but not very..... is the writer just trying to shock I ll carry on and see if it improves but not rating it up to now

I know what you mean about the really objectionable men Bluebelle. I think having seen the first series made me keep watching this time. I really like Robin, it does get better in my opinion.

Haven't got the names yet Seacliff but I thought the women pretty weird too what's with that police woman who looks a bit like Miranda sitting on a pretend motorbike in the kitchen !!!!!

Haven't seen series 1. Watched three quarters of episode 1 series 2. It depressed me, I disliked most of the characters and thought. `why am I watching this type of show? I came to the decision I like gritty cops and robbers, but not this type of sleazy programme.

Bring back Ironside, that's what I say.

I've watched up to episode 4, on the I player 'box' version. I can only say it gets better.

We have bailed out (for good) on this show halfway through episode 4 - what a weird bunch of people. Not a sane character to be seen. Too much for the brain!