[A] cool yet intensely emotional British crime series. [24 Jun 2013, p.40]

The Fall is a top-flight mystery that taps into political tensions in Northern Ireland and the troubling undercurrent of violence against women.

Some of these moments are memorable and stark. More are soporific. Both lend themselves to The Fall’s tone: these days, slow is what passes for serious. Anderson’s performance is what makes The Fall worth watching.

It’s a fine show, relying on slow-building tension rather than the gory shock value of series like “The Following,” and the five-episode arc now on Netflix is worth a look if you haven’t had your fill of cat-and-mouse dynamics.... Oddly, the character developed the least may be Ms. Anderson’s.

Whenever anyone asks me for my money recommendation on Netflix I always tell them to rent or to stream the fall. This is one of Gillian Anderson's best works and even Jamie Dornan who will be the lead in 50 shades of gray is subtly scary. It's only about four or five episodes but it certainly worth your time.

Season 1 is fabulous. Season 2 is very good as well. The cat & mouse game between Stella & Paul Spector twists & turns between them & everyone else in their orbit. The characters Anderson & Dornan play are excellent. The setting in Belfast Northern Ireland adds interest. The show sometimes moves at with typical "British TV" ssllllooowwnneesss but it still kept my interest. And then BANG! In Season 3 the whole show falls apart & it ruined all the good feelings I'd built up for this show. Talk, talk, more talk, & then some more talking all in dark rooms. Lots of stuff left unresolved. Am so glad I had fast forward or I might have given up before I got to the end. There's rumor of a season 4 but I'm not sure I'd be interested. If you want to watch this show, quit after Season 2 or keep your fast fwd clicker handy.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Whereas American mystery and crime shows can wrap up crimes in sixty minutes less commercials, it takes the Brits two to three seasons. Somewhere in the middle would be ideal. As much as one can become immersed in the " The Fall" storyline, the endless dreariness and requisite incompetence to carry it, renders the story into a gloomy, and logically intolerable mess. After two seasons on the same story, there's no reason to carry it to another.

I only watched the first episode and part of the second. The show is boring and slow. Gillian Anderson gives a flat, emotionless performance. I've never seen anyone look so bored in a sex scene.