Dead and Buried: A Twisted Tale of Revenge and Obsession

Dead and Buried (BBC1), airing in the graveyard slot of 10.30 pm to midnight, aptly reflects its unsettling nature. This four-part series, adapted from Colin Bateman’s play Bag for Life, starts with a credible premise – a woman seeking vengeance against her brother's killer – but quickly descends into a chaotic whirlwind of hammy acting and over-the-top drama. The series leaves you wondering, “Did I just spend three hours of my life on that?”

Cathy's Descent into Madness

Annabel Scholey (known for The Split) portrays Cathy, a woman who encounters Michael (Colin Morgan), her brother's killer, 17 years after his release from prison. Cathy's initial actions, like keying Michael's car and lightly stalking his wife, seem understandable given her grief and anger. However, her actions escalate rapidly, including sending hearses to his house, sending “flirty” messages from a fake profile, and even breaking into his house to steal his jeans and leave her lace knickers in the pocket. This is a dangerous game that leads to a desperate attempt to frame Michael for murder.

The Unlikely Sympathy

The show's oddity lies in the fact that despite exploring crucial themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the lifelong burden carried by victims' families, viewers might find themselves sympathizing more with the killer than with Cathy, the victim's sister. Cathy's manipulative and deranged behavior overshadows the gravity of her loss. The narrative becomes increasingly absurd and violent, culminating in a finale resembling a low-budget horror film.

A Psychological Game of Cat and Mouse

The series cleverly uses the backdrop of the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland border, with the action fluidly shifting between locations. This geographical fluidity mirrors the shifting timelines and layers of the story, slowly unveiling the truth behind Cathy's actions. This is not simply a tale of revenge; it's a deep dive into the psychological complexities of grief, trauma, and the lengths to which people will go to achieve justice. The show's exploration of cyclical violence and forgiveness adds depth, but it's sometimes overshadowed by the melodrama.

The performances are mixed, with Scholey and Morgan delivering moments of intensity, yet the plot's descent into absurdity is hard to ignore. The over-the-top scenes often distract from the deeper themes that the series tries to address. The initial premise that sets up the show’s themes of revenge and the complicated feelings of the victims is something that the show continues to grapple with.

A Cast of Characters

The cast includes several recognizable actors. Annabel Scholey convincingly portrays Cathy's descent into obsession, while Colin Morgan does an admirable job of showing Michael’s struggles to navigate the complicated situation. Other notable characters include Sally Bowman (Cathy's friend) and Raymie (Cathy’s husband). The actors skillfully portray these characters, adding depth to the narrative.

The filming locations in Derry, Dublin and County Wicklow further enrich the show, showcasing the beauty of Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The Verdict: A Bagful of Mixed Emotions

Dead and Buried attempts to tackle weighty themes with a thrilling narrative but gets lost in its own convoluted plot and somewhat excessive drama. It is entertaining on some levels. The show offers moments of intrigue and suspense, but these are frequently undercut by the sometimes overly dramatic performances and increasingly outlandish plot developments. Ultimately, Dead and Buried leaves the viewer feeling like they’ve watched a fascinating car crash, a blend of intense drama and unintentional comedy. It might leave you pondering the narrative and the themes it explores long after the credits roll. The show is available on BBC iPlayer.

While the show has flaws, its attempt to delve into complex human emotions in the context of a gripping thriller makes it a worthwhile watch, especially for fans of psychological dramas that leave viewers pondering the themes long after the credits roll. The exploration of cyclical violence and forgiveness, particularly within the Northern Irish context, is noteworthy.

Despite some shortcomings, it will provide you with some moments of tension and intrigue. It remains a captivating watch for those willing to embrace its wild ride.