The Secrets She Keeps- Review

Get ready to unravel the juicy secrets of the elite, dear readers! Settle in for a delightful six-part Australian tale that will have you hooked from the very first episode. "The Secrets She Keeps" is a guilty pleasure that combines the glitz and glamour of a wealthy cashmere-clad blogger with the envy-inducing life of a supermarket worker. Prepare for a collision of worlds like no other!

Now, picture my wife, bless her soul—she's one of those telly-challenged creatures. Her mind is a nimble detective, always ten steps ahead, dissecting plots with lightning speed. The poor thing walked out of "The Sixth Sense" the moment she sniffed out Bruce Willis's coat wasn't going anywhere. And don't even get me started on "Gone Girl"—she was back home before the washing machine finished its spin cycle. Oh, the woes of an overactive mind!

But me? Well, let's just say my brain resembles a bowl of wobbly pudding. I happily basked in the twists and turns of "The Sixth Sense" like a child on Christmas morning. Catch me on a not-so-sharp day, and you could probably pull off the same surprise twice. As for "Gone Girl," it's become my personal labyrinth. I've lost count of the threads I've dropped and the ones I've failed to grasp from the beginning.

And you know what? I think being clueless is the way to go. While my wife wallows in frustration and annoyance (though she does finish her chores early—kudos for that!), I revel in a world full of delightful surprises. Who would have thought that person did that thing because of that other thing and their connection to her and that other one? Certainly not me! Give me any storytelling screen, and I'm like a baby under a blossoming tree, eyes wide open, marvelling at the wonders of the world.

But every once in a while, I catch a glimpse of what it's like to be one of those brainy elites, gifted with intelligence and predictive algorithms. That moment arrived with the arrival of "The Secrets She Keeps" (BBC), a sizzling psychological thriller hailing from the land down under. This addictive series, created by the talented Michael Rowbotham and based on his gripping 2017 novel, promises to captivate and tease your senses.

Allow me to introduce you to our main characters. First up is Meghan, a breathtaking mummy blogger and Instagram influencer. Picture her draped in layers of luxurious cashmere, radiating perfection in every post. But hold your horses, dear readers, because Meghan's life isn't as picture-perfect as her carefully curated online presence suggests. She's haunted by a vicious troll who sends chilling messages like "Die, bitch, die," accompanied by gruesome images of a bleeding baby doll. Yikes! Add some money troubles and a husband who's suddenly less interested in her than her growing baby bump, and you've got yourself a recipe for drama.

Now, let's venture into the less glamorous corner of our tale. Meet Agatha, a lonely supermarket worker who's also expecting. But unlike Meghan's glowing radiance, Agatha's pregnancy seems to have lost its sparkle. She secretly stalks Meghan's online life, yearning for a taste of that seemingly perfect existence. Oh, the green-eyed monster strikes again!

I'm sure you've already got a sense of where this is going—the collision course these two women are on. But trust me, my cheeky friends, there's more to this story than meets the eye. Brace yourself for the arrival of Simon, a dashing friend of Meghan's husband and the godfather to one of her children. And let's not forget Agatha's ex-boyfriend, who swoops in to provide comfort after the heartbreaking loss of their baby at 32 weeks. As if that's not enough, Agatha's story about the conception of her current baby seems to change depending on the listener. Intriguing, isn't it?

But here's the delightful twist—sometimes predictability is half the fun! Think about all those nail-biting moments from films like "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" and page-turners like "Gone Girl." Blend in recent memories of thrilling series like "The Victim" and "The Replacement." Mix it all up with any story involving a lost baby at its core. Voilà! You've got the ingredients for an addictive TV cocktail that will leave you begging for more.

As you dive headfirst into this delectable drama, take a moment to savour the non-plot elements. Admire Meghan's impeccable taste in homewares, and revel in the stellar performances of the two leading actresses. Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey) shines as Agatha, masterfully balancing on the tightrope between annoyance and pity. She'll have you alternating between sympathy and horror with every twist and turn.

"The Secrets She Keeps" adds to the growing collection of female-centric dramas. Yes, motherhood takes centre stage, but let's be generous and call it "labour pains" as we navigate the evolving landscape of storytelling. Commissioners and executives are finally starting to realize that stories about women can be compelling without scaring off male viewers. So, let's give them a round of applause and some encouraging pats on the back. Keep pushing those boundaries, folks. We're rooting for you!

There's only one hiccup, my fellow enthusiasts: a second season is available and have not watched it yet. I have many reasons why. Will it live up to the brilliance of the first? We can only hope! For now, let's relish in the nail-biting suspense, the unexpected twists, and the rollercoaster ride of emotions that "The Secrets She Keeps" delivers. Trust me, my friends. It is an addictive thriller that will leave you craving more secrets, more drama, and more guilty pleasures. Stay tuned!