peterg11 This series strongly reminds me of the Singapore I grew up in and it it great for setting and atmosphere. The stories are interesting and wide ranging which keeps the attention. The lead male is a kind of D'Arcy figure with 60s hippy flaws. Too many long languid looks to be snappy and sharp so loses a star for that alone. Very good acting from everyone and surprisingly addictive. Where is Season 2 - it deserves it! As is common these days, there are some ongoing stories that run through the whole series and only conclude in the last episode, but while this provides great continuity each episode also has an independent story which concludes during the episode. My recollection of Expat life in South East Asia at this time tells me this is very well represented, in terms of style, contrast with the local community, and attitudes of the time between the Brits and Americans, Chinese and Brits, Aussies and Brits, Police and population, etc. The lead male appears to speak the local languages well despite being Australian, so all credit to Don Hany for pulling that off!

factgasm Given that the series is a co-production between HBO Asia and others, what a shame that HBO Asia's very own synopsis writer clearly needs some lessons in history: "The world is changing, the global balance of power is shifting . . ." This ignores the fact that the early to mid-sixties was the height of the Cold War - a tense stand off between the West and the Communist Bloc. Only one year before this series is set the world had been taken to the brink of global nuclear warfare in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Power wasn't shifting, rather an irresistible force had gone up against an immovable object."The colonial rule of the British has finally come to an end and independence is on the horizon." Actually, Singaporean independence wasn't on the horizon - quite the opposite. Starting as early as 1955, as a result of post war austerity the British had been handing over power to Singapore in an orderly and gradual withdrawal. Far from seeking independence, by 1964, when the series is set, Singapore, fearing the loss of British protection, had become firmly entrenched as part of the Malaysian Federation."It's an exciting time where the island state can finally forge its own identity." Again, untrue. In 1965 Singapore was, very much against its wishes, expelled from the Malaysian Federation. Singapore had independence thrust upon it, independence it had not sought. Singaporeans had not led some brave freedom fighting campaign in a bid to rid itself of evil oppressors, it had been stood up - twice.Perhaps it might be more prudent in future for HBO Asia to employ an historian to write its historical synopses rather than a Stepford Wife.

Jesse Boland Find a way to watch this one if you can. If you are tired of the ordinary, then this is a great start. With the Australian Broadcasting Company, and HBO Asia together they have a chance to bring together some of the worlds greatest talents for western audiences to finally see, or see more of. The great Joan Chen still looking as regal as she did playing cyborgs in the 90's, and Don Hany as the only man who is aloud to go into the darker places along Serangoon Rd. is a good strong lead that I hope we see more of. The main feeling of the show is a lot like many of today's period pieces, but with a bit tamer less American ham fistedness about it. If you remember Tropical Heat (Sweating Bullets) this feels a lot like that, only on a set much like the China as represented in Smallville. The episodes have been aired out of sequence somewhat , as something has subtly changed from the 5th, to the 7th episodes that is not there in episode 1. If you are looking for something new, and you like to imagine life in other times worlds away, then you will Enjoy this show a lot. I'll keep with it as long as they keep making them.

pgmucha HBO got as bad as the BBC on this series. I lived in Singapore ate about the time and it wasn't even anything near as bad. The acting is rubbish, nobody talks or act the way they do.It reminds me of the BBC series "" ATLANTIS "" same rubbish Was hoping to go down memory lane when this series came up, feeling myself in a new world now.I knew some of the Dragon members and they never acted like this, as a matter of fact the boss was NEVER seen unless you knew who he was and were his hang out was, and it was for sure NOT in Geyland or Buggie Street.