1. MarcDoyle

   10

   Fantastic show. Idris Elba is obviously fantastic, as usual, but the writing is top-notch, and the sense of urgency in each episode is palpable. It's good to know that it's a "min-series" and not an open-ended serial.… Expand

   • Helpful? 3 of 3 users said Yes.
2. djardine

   8

   "Luffah" gets off to a somewhat shaky start, but by the third episode, the show finds its distinctive voice, and once you get past some of the absurdity of the Hannibal Lector-ish premise, Luther becomes something quite interesting. And Idris Elba is terrific, as always.… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 2 users said Yes.
3. drlowdon

   7

   A show about a brilliant yet troubled detective may not at first sound like a particularly interesting or original concept and it is not until I learnt that the fantastic Idris Elba, most famous for his role in The Wire, was involved that I even considered giving it a watch. The first few episodes are certainly competent even if they do fall into some of the usual problems of the procedural crime drama with the odd ‘leap in logic’ required to wrap everything up within the fifty minute running time.
   
   Fortunately, with the second half of the six episode season focusing more on the motivations of the killers and cops, Luther soon develops into something far more interesting. In fact, in an usual twist on the formula, several episodes reveal the identity of the killer within the opening minutes all the while maintaining the shows tension and intensity thanks the some excellent writing.
   
   Elba is of course superb throughout as John Luther but Ruth Wilson’s performance as Alice is also certainly worthy of note. Encountered early in the season (for reasons I won’t spoil here) her character development in such a short series is very well handled and by the end of this opening season she becomes integral in making the show as good as it is.
   
   Season one could have perhaps done with a few more episodes to explain some characters motivations more effectively but with Luther the BBC have created one of the better British drama series of the recent years.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
4. Bwlboy

   3

   I watched the first two episodes of this in the UK then gave up as it was completely devoid of realism. I loved The Wire but if you tune into this merely because it stars Idris Elba you should be very disappointed unless you accept it for its unrealistic content and because its British made and offers views of London which you don't normally get to see in the US. The Luther character is constantly bubbling under the surface and is barely able to exercise control of his anger, often resorting to physical violence. The reality is if he was a serving British police officer he would be sacked a long time before reaching the status of a DCI. If you want to see gritty, realistic crime drama I wouldn't place much faith in this show. I'm very surprised to see the BBC has commissioned 2 x two hour episodes in 2011. I wanton waste of taxpayers money.… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 4 users said Yes.

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