The Cult: Verdict pending

Been a bit distracted trying to read as many of the addresses of the world leaders at the UN as I can. Might come up with a summary piece later.

In the meantime, I'll say I saw the new NZ drama "The Cult" on Thursday night. It has good bones. The story has been swiftly established, with a group of loved ones and family members assembling somewhere in Northland to try and rescue their sons/daughters/whatever from the "Two Gardens" cult commune. Either side has been given appearance of Goodies and Baddies,with plenty of room for intrigue and betrayal within each group. At this point, interaction between the groups looks like it will be difficult, or an evolving point of conflict - ie, there are fences and guns keeping the cultists in, the families out.

Also, lead writers are Peter Cox and David Brechin-Smith, who did wonderfully with the Insiders Guides to Happiness and Love.

That said, the first episode was a bit of a shambles. This is not uncommon with TV and literature. There is some throat clearing as bits of exposition are choked down and the story gets to where the writers want it. There was a real clash between the fast cuts and music (Very like insider's guide) of the outside world and the serenity of the bush and cult, and I don't think it worked. And some of the editing was... well, you really didn't know what was going on when there were guns and shots and bodies, but nothing serious seems to have happened except one guy who seemed to know too much disappeared.

Confused? My point exactly.

The next episode will clear up which way this is heading. By the third, I'll know whether I'm watching any more or not.