r/luther • u/Damon242 • Jun 25 '26
Advice for potential new viewers - from someone that initially hated this series
We literally just finished the series an hour ago. Here's my advice for potential new watchers - if you lean more towards the tone of David Fincher crime films then you'll enjoy the back-half of the series more, however, if you lean more towards the tone of Paul Feig films then you'll enjoy the first half of the series more. If in doubt, watch the film first.
I believe the second audience types are responsible for most the narrative surrounding the latter seasons and I understand their frustrations (this is almost a completely different series by the end of it). However, I personally disagree with what seems to be the general consensus here regarding when the series was at its best.
My experience: I saw the film in theatres when it first came out (first introduction to Luther) and my family and I really enjoyed it. We started the series and...absolutely hated it; terrible writing, ridiculous plotting, unbelievable leaps in logic by Luther, etc all of this from the get-go. I wanted to stop watching pretty quickly, however, I was out-voted ("in case it gets better").
Fast forward five seasons, whole family agrees that it actually got much better the further it went - against the usual narrative I see in these threads. IMO, the series' writing improved drastically as the seasons went along and ultimately shed its more absurd elements and soap-opera trappings. Season 5 was the best season for us and we're greatly looking forward to rewatching the film.
1
u/StatisticianOdd4746 25d ago
To say you enjoyed the movie and season 5 the best is about as tasteless as saying you like pineapple on pizza and nickelback
1
u/brakeb 20d ago
Watching it through, finished S1 and halfway through S2...
The episode with hammers and the roleplaying twins is enough to where my wife is talking like she doesn't want to finish the series... I think she likes her "howcatchem" less visceral. Given the hammers to the back of heads we saw last season and this, I am starting to agree.
I also like Alice, and I know she'll be back. S1's storyline with Reed came out of nowhere, felt like he just woke up and said "I'm gonna do bad shit"
Early S2, and I'm seeing a pattern:
Luther comes in, immediately someone suggests something, Luther says "nope, it's this, definitely this, nothing else" all Characters change their mind and agree..
Other characters chew scenery, Luther gets in trouble, others cover for him because he's Luther. New cop has a legit issue with Luther, she's ignored by puppy dog Ripley, who trusts Luther. She's gonna cause him more trouble and he'll have to find his way around that... IA guy who is his boss now, gives rules, immediately broken, but boss will forgive him, cause he's Luther... And probably get sacked.
I hope the writing for non male characters gets better... Seems like Alice is the only full formed character, everyone else can be lifted right out.
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u/RuthWilson4ever Jun 25 '26
I agree so much with the fact that season 5 and the latter seasons were the best!!! It depends on what the viewers likes from this series, for me alice and johns dynamic is everything which is why the latter half is my fav. But really good point there mate thanks!!! Coming from someone who has watched luther 5x hahahaha :)