Review of Raw (RTE) | LouderVoice Reviews

Raw (RTE)

Reviewed by Mid Lander via on 15 Sep 2008

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Maybe it's me but why do all RTE drama series feel identical? Same stilted writing, same views of Dublin, same completely unsympathetic characters. This just feels like a bad episode of Fair City with some welcome token nudity.

I don't know if I have the energy to describe the plot. Bunch of losers who work in a restaurant screw, do drugs, deal drugs, shout a lot and whine.

Plenty of the same old RTE faces with the same accent-changes-every-30-seconds. But at least they managed to import some some decent eye-candy for all genders and sexual orientations. Tick all the boxes for Eastern Europeans, gay blokes, Nordies and D4 chick.

I'll try and watch the second episode, I really will, but the climax of the first episode was so lame and out of the Ladybird Book of Scriptwriting that I don't know if I'll manage it.

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Comments

reviewer189130 at 17:11 - 15 Sep, 2008 said:

i never normally look up tv shows or leave comments like this but I have to say I don't agree with u at all about this one - think it actually shows promise - me and my mates couldn't believe it was actually Irish we loved it ( i do agree that the eye candy helps lol) I'm looking forward to the next one anyway....x

reviewer189133 at 15:03 - 16 Sep, 2008 said:

I thought the show was great, i thought it was quick paced and witty, and hey sometimes we arent looking for something intellectual to watch on a monday evening! Well plus im watching it on the off chance me and my housemates might have got caught on camera during filming! :)

Mid Lander at 21:50 - 16 Sep, 2008 said:

I don't expect every show to have the writing quality of Aaron Sorkin or the depth of the Sopranos.

I'm convinced there are great dramas and comedy dramas that can be made in Ireland. Why is it then that they all end up like this? Cardboard cutout characters, weak plots and flat writing?

It's not about budget either. I'd watch something made on a camcorder if the writing was there.

Maybe RTE should do that. Setup a week in Donnybrook where anyone who wants to act, anyone who wants to direct and anyone who wants to write can come together and make a ton of stuff and just broadcast it, barely edited, to the world.

That's where I'd like my licence fee to go please.

reviewer189181 at 22:35 - 20 Sep, 2008 said:

RTE are soo stupid for coming up with this shit show.
this show basicly says ''this is what really happens behind the scenes of our restaraunts in Dublin''

Mid Lander at 08:05 - 21 Sep, 2008 said:

I laughed out loud when I saw the last trailer. They are actually doing the "arm on fire" stunt. How old is that? 100 years? They should have got Lee Majors as Colt Seavers in the Fall Guy to do it for them.

reviewer189209 at 22:20 - 22 Sep, 2008 said:

I agree a bit, but after episode 3, i really started to like it& then 4 came& it's great& totally relatable, in my opinion,we should be pround of where were from, it's not same old stuff, it's Irish, It's us, whats boring about that?! Cant wait for episode 5!!:)

reviewer189227 at 16:59 - 23 Sep, 2008 said:

I totally agree - I though last nights was particularly interesting and I haven't seen an episode like that before in any other show - great stuff - we should be proud is right - i think we just love to shoot everything down in this country to be honest - I liked it from the start and like it more now.

reviewer189324 at 09:25 - 29 Sep, 2008 said:

I agree-Raw is totally formulaic shite. Well done RTE, I'm sure the advertisers (sorry, I'm sure I mean the 'supporters of Irish drama') are delighted.
What a bunch of geebags.

Mid Lander at 09:34 - 29 Sep, 2008 said:

There isn't enough use of geebag in reviews. I'm going to try and get it into my next one.

reviewer189327 at 11:24 - 29 Sep, 2008 said:

I sat down for episode 1 a few weeks ago ready to pour scorn all over it and was very surprised by it. Yes, the story line isnt the most original (reminds me of BBC2 mid 90s drama, This Life) but I think for Irish drama, and RTE, it is a step forward. Can't help but think this maybe because most of the lead actors arent Irish though....!
For a monday night, it's good, especially when compared to the shite that follows it....How low can you go indeed....

reviewer189342 at 22:01 - 29 Sep, 2008 said:

I think RAW is excellent - finally a more realistic picture of life for 20 and 30-somethings in Dublin. Full of the bad language we all use, the sex, the misuse of alcohol and some good wit thrown in. This is the best drama I've seen from RTE and stands up well to comparison with anything I've seen elsewhere.

reviewer189372 at 07:01 - 01 Oct, 2008 said:

anywhere to get episodes online. I caught a couple of the first episodes while back on the emerald isle and I must admit I enjoyed it. The stories are pretty shite but the characters are interesting and I can't wait to see how it develops. But I am now back on the continent and would love to be able to keep up.

reviewer189406 at 10:53 - 02 Oct, 2008 said:

I was ready to hate it. But TBH it's starting to grow on me...

reviewer189412 at 18:49 - 02 Oct, 2008 said:

Ok, so the Clinic is shite, Fair City is shite, MOST Irsh programmes are shite, but sometimes just sometimes they shite out a crock of gold...take father Ted for instance, or the panel, or don't feed the gondolas...but they're all comedys. this is the first credible series with interesting characters and an unusual plot this country has seen for years. The effort is enormas. And as for your comment on the characters all being the same in all these 'Irish' dramas...I have to agree with you mostly they are all the same...unsympathetic, and what not but did it ever accour to you...maybe that's just the way Irish people are...and if we are like that, this t.v series depicts it very well. unlike, the Clinic and Fair City.

reviewer189497 at 20:33 - 06 Oct, 2008 said:

hmmm. it sucks. and the reason father ted was good is that it WASN"T made by RTE. NOT RTE. cos everything rte touches turns to shite. anyone remember the house? appalling sitcom with ed byrne. christ, the memory of it makes me want to die

reviewer189586 at 16:47 - 11 Oct, 2008 said:

Still loving it guys...me and my mates have become a little addicted as a matter of fact - I love pavle and Geoff - think it's great that it's not patronising and so funny and a little bit twisted - tis great all together my only issue is that we only have one more to go! Back watching all the other shite rte churn out...or not watching as most likely the case will be for me.

reviewer189720 at 22:08 - 13 Oct, 2008 said:

I've just watched the final episode. As someone who has been consistantly disgusted and disappointeded by the abismally low level of quality in nearly all rte productions I found this show outstanding. Scripting, acting, production, casting, accompanying music and much more: this show was a wonderful surprise. My hope is that rte will pay attention and deliver more television of this standard.

reviewer189721 at 22:10 - 13 Oct, 2008 said:

This reviewer is talking out of his backside. Pay no attention. This is a cracking show.

reviewer189966 at 01:17 - 06 Nov, 2008 said:

epic epic epic programme. I love it. Totally different to what normally goes out on Irish telly. I mean, you have a choice of Katherine Tate's Wonderwoman or RAW? Which would you choose? Hell if I was only allowed to watch one tv programme a week it would be this. Brilliant, fast paced, interesting and actually represents the youth of today. Hope they bring back another series.

reviewer191801 at 16:37 - 14 Sep, 2009 said:

The Clinic's not shite!! It's the best drama that RTE have ever made! It is far better than any of the UK medical dramas. Can't wait for the next series meself.

reviewer196097 at 09:41 - 08 Feb, 2010 said:

I think Raw is a brilliant programme and the actors do a great job portraying their characters.Really look forward to it every week.The guy who plays the head chef is brilliant.People always find something to moan about when it comes to Irish drama's.I think this is a drama to be proud of.By the way The Clinic was shite!!!!:)