Deadlock (second season) ★★★★
Time Deadlockthe first season dropped in 2023, it was already the most ambitious show on Australian television. An oddball comedy, a social satire and a true whodunit thriller that also mercilessly poked fun at the genre itself. It was Feminism’s mockery of the great crime of honor shows and a Scandi-noir that was very Aussie-edgy delivered words like “c— hit” without anyone batting an eyelid.
Interestingly, the second season of this Emmy-nominated series is going much further.
There is a change in the region, from Tasmania to the Top End, which enhances the established “Tassie noir” aesthetic. A heartfelt story injection for the show’s most ridiculous screwball character. More focus on racial politics. And a series of mysteries that not only involve aliens (including a Steve Irwin-style villain played with glee by Luke Hemsworth), but law enforcement itself.
It’s a lot — especially considering this season is only six episodes, down from eight. But don’t be put off if you find the beginning a bit heavy with the required narrative setup. The sharp end of this big and bolshie show will prove it (once again) that co-creators Kate McLennan and Kate McCartney (Catering Show,Get cracking! n) are some of the most exciting creatives working in Australian TV today.
Starting with the first season’s coda, the second season follows detectives Dulcie Collins (Kate Box) and Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) as they investigate the death of Eddie Bushy’s former partner in Darwin. Or at least that’s where they’re headed. The unlikely duo – along with Nina Oyama’s forensics tech Abby – quickly wash up in the fictional small town of Barra Creek, trying to make sense of missing body parts, missing luggage and two crocodile tour companies.
Who are the traditional owners of that land? Confused tour guide Amber Darrell (Nikki Britton) can’t give an answer when asked, other than to say her father’s business, Don Darrell’s Best Flying Tours, existed “f—in’ way before” Jason Wade’s Land of Crocs. As the camera also flashes in front of the juvenile detention center in the season opener, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the first name sounds a lot like Don Dale.
It would be easy for the Kates to base themselves on the safe shores of Tasmania’s Deadloch to spin another lovely, campy mystery. It’s the name of the show, after all. But The High End provides a good social structure to unravel as our protagonists question their relationship with the justice system. And those heavy themes are countered well by the new creepy characters.
With Dulcie and his passionate wife, Cath (Alicia Gardiner), who are now fish out of water, Tassie’s art and wolf-loving grinders are sold to sunburned people who swear by Eddie and celebrate their birthdays with “meatcake” in the pub.
In an interview this week, Kates said this It could be the last season of their show. Although the duo won’t rule out a complete return, they “feel like (they’ve) done a lot with the genre” and “are interested in doing other things next”.
It will be sad to see this series – which it has critics were impressed and won fans all over the world – fast. Even if it’s impossible, wouldn’t it be great to watch Dulcie and Eddie run around Australia? I would inhale the season set in Byron Bay. But if this is the end, it’s a good way out.
Deadlock streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting March 20.
Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-watch list. Get the Watchlist released every Thursday.
I am Watson is deputy TV editor at The Age and Sydney Morning HeraldConnect through X or email address.
