Secret City Review: A Tussle between Truth and Power
Web Series: Secrect City
Genre: Political thriller
Language: English
Seasons/Episodes: 2 seasons (6 episodes each)
Season Titles: Secret City; Secret City: Under the Eagle
Directors: Emma Freeman, Tony Krawitz, Daniel Nettheim
Cast: Anna Torv, Jacki Weaver, Daniel Wyllie, Alex Dimitriades, etc.
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: Secret City blends political drama and espionage into a compelling television series set in Australia. The storyline revolves around the hunt for truth, illegal covert operations, conspiracies, curb of freedom of speech and a threat to privacy. The series explores real-world geopolitical tensions, digital threats, and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists. There is a subtle explanation of how Australia is sandwiched between the China-United States tensions.
The unexpected twists and turns in the plot make it more interesting and gripping. Though the first season is said to be based on the novels The Marmalade Files, The Mandarin Code, and The Shadow Game written by Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis, the second season deviates from it.
At its core is the protagonist Harriet Dunkley (Anna Torv), a journalist who is more interested in the truth and the people of the country. She has a keen instinct for uncovering conspiracies, despite the personal and professional risks involved. The strong character built for Harriet Dunkley and the performance delivered by Anna Torv anchors the entire two seasons.
On the other hand, there are opportunistic politicians who are more interested in personal and electoral gains. In the digital era, how an overarching bill that grants one-person ultimate authority of all the digital information compromises both privacy and press freedom is well portrayed. Secret City illustrates the impact of these events on ordinary citizens and reveals that even high-ranking government officials were unaware of certain military programs. The political tone of the series echoes the flavor of ‘House of Cards’.
Some plotlines remain unresolved. The characters introduced in Season 2 lack proper backstories. Characters like the secret soldier, Levelle from Trebuchet, and the Rabbit all remain very vague.
Some scenes may feel ambiguous or disconnected, prompting viewers to question their relevance to the broader narrative. Additionally, those seeking a clearly defined conclusion to every scene may find some episodes less satisfying in this regard.
Despite its flaws, Secret City remains a timely and thought-provoking series. Its bold commentary on power, privacy, and political manipulation makes it a compelling watch for fans of political thrillers.
-Sachin L S
