“Troppo” (Freevee) S1 Review by Rafy Mediavilla (@Rmediavilla). #Troppo #Freevee
“Troppo” is a TV series adaptation of the Crimson Lake novel by Candice Fox, which dives us into the story of Ted Conkaffey, played by Thomas Jane (The Expanse, The Vanished), an ex-cop falsely accused of committing a disturbing crime, who has escaped to hide away in the tropics of Far North Queensland. As he tries to avoid discovery, he’s drawn into investigating a wild murder and a missing person, alongside a complicated woman named Amanda Pharrell (played by Nicole Chamoun), with dark secrets of her own.
Let me just say that I never read the novel, so I will just be critiquing the TV series as it was presented. At a glimpse “Troppo” is a simple enough crime/detective drama we already know and love, so let’s just get that much out of the way. But it’s greatest scoop “Troppo” main purpose serves to explores the beautiful, and yet scary wild-lands of Australia.
The Australia wildland setting where the whole story unfolds before your eyes is reason enough to give this TV series a chance. This TV series honestly gave me newfound respect for the people that live in these lands, who constantly must go about their lives not only surviving the weather but also the wildlife that surrounds it.
Now let’s talk about the character and story. The Story without giving to much away, much like any crime drama we have seen before is straight forward, someone from a family was murder, so Ted and Amanda team up to solve this murder. There are other subplots going on here, but I will not enter spoilers’ territory and ruing the mystery.
The characters are where the story shines. Both Ted & Amanda have something to prove, maybe to themselves or their families, o they are just looking for a second chance in life. Both have similar pathways, so I really feel this is another strong point for the TV series. Both Ted & Amanda can be average Joes and Janes, I believe many people will relate to their characters and their situations in one way or another. Both Thomas Jane (The Punisher) and Nicole Chamoun performances are good enough to the point that you could see yourself in their shoes. Nicole specially blew me away with her transformation.
If anything, “Troppo” is a good crime drama, that will find its audience given the chance, Thomas & Nicole performances are good, but untimely is the scary Australian setting what truly shines.
“Troppo” will premier tomorrow, May 20, on Amazon’s Freevee Streaming Service.
