Silk: Season 1

This is just a wonderful series with great acting, a great sense of realism about challenges to women in the British legal system, and interesting story lines. Very compelling lead character.

First off, this is a view from the British system, quite parliamentary and filled with wigs and stiff judges. But behind the scenes, the British and American law firms are the same, doling out cases both for the defense and the prosecution, the in-house fighting still juggling for position, and the chess games moving into the courtroom. Which is where this series really takes off. Outstanding writing from Peter Moffat (who seems to have an extensive background in the judicial side of the court system), and even better acting, both good enough to keep this breakaway series fresh and a nice change of pace from the usual CSI-type dramas that flood both sides of the Atlantic. This is what happens AFTER the arrest, the planning of the trial and then the actual trial, as well as how each barrister deals with the pending results, often knowing that while they are right by law, the guilty party just might get off due to a lack of evidence for the jury. This tears at the lead actress, Martha, who values her moral and legal decisions and is torn by knowing the law and yet knowing how some are able to use that to get out of a crime. All in all, this first series (this ran three seasons but only season one is available in the US) is captivating with less soapiness then the covers leads you to believe. Give it a try...Maxine Peake's background (she plays the lead) mimics the role she plays, that of working her way up from a middle class background, part of the reason she was chosen in the auditions. As you'll discover, it was an excellent choice. One of the more overlooked BBC series, this is worth watching!

Maxine Peake, who plays Martha Costello, does an excellent job of portraying a female Barrister who is smart and powerful yet real and caring. Her counterpart, Ruppert Perry-Jones, who plays Clive Reader, also does an excellent job of adding real-life elements to his character despite the stereotypical nature of his role as a cocky, good-looking, female-chasing Barrister. And Neil Stuke, who plays Billy Lamb, the Senior Clerk, always keeps us guessing. I wouldn't play poker with that guy!The show is fast-paced, with good camera direction, none of this tricking the viewer by focusing on a guy's wristwatch when it was his briefcase beside him that was important to the story. When something does flash rather briefly on the screen it is done in order to build intrigue, and it is always referenced quickly, usually within the next couple of scenes. And if you can't watch a show without incredibly good-looking people in it, this show has two that should feed that need.The only reason I would not give it 5 stars is because of the lack of characters who uphold traditional values. As the series progressed, I became disappointed with the values of some of the characters. Having said that, these characters are very realistic, people who are both good and bad; no one is entirely immoral or evil. But the part of the show that I liked the best was the insight into the politics and the cases which offered me, the viewer, plenty of plot twists, intrigue, and humor.

I watched this, then turned it off, then went back to it again frankly because I watch too much television and ran out of things to watch. The cast is appealing and the stories are interesting enough to hold my attention, but there is a lack of real tension in this series. I see how the plots create urgency, but I don't really believe it. It's a second rate show (which doesn't mean don't watch it.)I am a child of Law and Order, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, even Sons of Anarchy which I gave up on long ago. I am still hanging in there while GRR Martin blithely wipes out hosts of characters I care about because he needs reality in a show where a women is "the mother of dragons," a dwarf is the best soldier you've got and the dead won't stay down.GIVEN THAT. The pacing is a little speedy in Silk particularly given the lack of gritty details provided that might beef up the lives of these people and once you set a story in a world where everyone is physically and economically safe (which I'm all for. my life isn't like that) you'd better create danger that I buy. The conversations are rarely all that gripping. Yes, heroes by definition will win and that's why you watch the show, but sometimes when I'm not worried whether a hero will win I get a little peeved.

I expected to thoroughly enjoy SILK and was actually in for a disappointing surprise. The series does have a great cast but SILK is slow moving and rather confusing. Maybe a better understanding of the British judicial system would have helped. It was clear that earning "silk" was an honor but it was never clear to me what "silk" was . I had to research that on my own. I was also confused about Defense and Prosecuting barristers were all working in the same office. The seedy Billy seemed to be in charge but wasn't a barrister but rather a clerk. It all made for a lot of confusion as cases came and went at lightning speed. Rarely was there any build-up to a case, though we do see two defendants charged in two different cases in Series One.The slow pace of everything was unnerving as we were thrown tidbits of scandal. Office politics and romances and secrets can make for good stories but everything was thrown at us in pieces. Maybe Series Two will help clarify these story line. One of the "pupils" was a shoplifter, yet that was left up in the air as to what was happening.Maxine Peake does a fine job as Martha Costello. She clearly loves her work and has earned her status. She has worked her way up in a male-dominated field and is on her road to "silk" along with Clive Reader (Rupert Penry-Jones). Again, they work in the same office but sometimes are in court as prosecutor or defender. It's always nice to see lovely Natalie Dornier--this time as pupil Niamh Cranitch.I was disappointed in this series but it is clear it has a large fan base. There are just so many better shows from BBC in my opinion.

Initially I found it fascinating to have a glimpse into the daily life of criminal laywers, barristers and QCs. Here it's all about applying and getting "Silk" and the rivalry that goes with it. The main characters here seem to be constantly bitching and there are intrigues en masse. The main female character Martha Costello (Maxine Peake) particularly got on my nerves: always in a hurry, always sulking or in a bad mood and seemingly always defending the wrong clients. And it goes on and on ...

"Silk" is an interesting look at the legal profession and illustrates the busy and often stressful lives of barristers today. Although not an entirely accurate account of criminal advocacy, the audience can relate to the characters from Martha, the morally conscious and hard-working protagonist to Billy, the clerk who has a hard exterior but is sensitive and kind when necessary. This series is different from other courtroom dramas as it has the twists of love triangles, unwanted pregnancies and much more. Clive (a barrister with high aspirations) and Martha's constant competition coupled with their unsual relationship as the series progresses makes for a tense and enjoyable hour of entertainment. Maxine Peake's interpretation of Martha Costello is refreshing and the extra features of the DVD give an insight into the actor/actresses opinions on the characters they portray. I would recommend this DVD to anyone who enjoys experiencing the thrill of courtroom.

Interesting, good watch. Each episode a different courtroom drama. The same characters - from the same chambers - a little unbelievably, pitted against each other in most cases! A slow character build-up over the first season, but with pay-off. Maxine Peake is a very good lead.

I'm having a bit of a legal/courtroom drama splurge at the moment and stumbled across Silk for about a fiver. I knew Maxine Peake to be a wonderful actress so I thought I'd give it a go.It's an easy watch - perhaps more simplistic than its creators intended. The acting is of a good standard all round but some of the characters are a bit one-dimensional. I think I would have preferred if they had made the episodes longer - an hour and a half like Wallander - and been able to give the plots a bit more time to develop and the chance to put a bit of flesh on the bones of the stories.I'm sure it's not a completely accurate representation of the business of law, and I think Maxine Peake's talents are slightly wasted on a series which could be brilliant. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable watch and I'll probably stick the next series on the Sky+ when it's on.

This series is yet to be viewed in Australia (if ever) and I bought it on the strength of the reviews.It turned out to be everything one could hope for in a TV mini series. Brilliantly scripted and produced plus the artistry ofall the actors involved made for something really special. Even the smaller parts were done with such conviction bythose involved. Penny Downie who appeared in the 6th episode was a case in point.I've run out of superlatives when it comes for the leading actors. Could anybody be any better as Martha Costello asMaxine Peake?