Time (2021-2023)

Top series.
A beautiful, thoughtful description of life in a prison, oriented by law enforcement but also by internal rules among the inmates, violence, blackmail, punishment...
However, also a lot of attention for the person of the prisoners (all committed a murder, albeit often in completely different circumstances, which explains many differences between them): their different way of integrating, their manias and frustrations, their way of dealing with regrets and repentance, the gnawing remorse or...on the other hand, their commitment to gaining power...
Not unnoticed is the figure of the chaplain and especially of that one misfortune-stricken jailer, beautifully played by Stephen Grahan.
Actually one of the best, perfectly developed and dosed, films about the prison system.
Inevitably, the series also leaves the impression that prison, despite a certain effort, does not make people better. On the contrary, the chance that he will join the criminal tug-of-war is real and often the only way out.

Translated from Dutch · View original

British prison drama Time has an all-star cast including Sean Bean (Broken, Game of Thrones), Stephen Graham (White House Farm, The Virtues, Little Boy Blue) and Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley, A Confession). All other roles are also excellently performed. Here is the finefleur of British cinema at work, that much is clear. Director Lewis Arnold (Des, Cleaning Up) films at the beginning of the first episode (I saw the 4-part version) with the camera present as a matter of course. Almost like a docudrama about life in an English prison complex. This way of filming changes quickly, however, as the dramatic developments follow each other in rapid succession.

Time tells the story of teacher Mark Cobden (Bean), who caused a fatal accident. Loyal security guard Eric McNally (Graham) is compromised, putting the lives of him and his wife (Hannah Walters, also Graham's wife) under considerable pressure. These two storylines stand alone, but both deal with forgiveness, guilt, punishment and atonement. It produces an intense and raw drama. The screenplay is excellent, with some nice plot twists.

So nothing to complain about? Well no, the drama offers nothing new. We have seen all the developments in the detention center many times before. Sean Bean is also Sean Bean again in his well-known acting mode. Fortunately, Bean is very much in place in Time. We also forgive (sic!) some inconsistencies and inconsistencies. Fortunately, there is still plenty to enjoy.

Translated from Dutch · View original