Reef Break - General Discussion

[Whimsy]

Quote

A thief-turned-fixer for the governor of an island paradise becomes enmeshed in fast-paced adventures with friends, enemies and lovers, including an FBI agent ex-husband, her imprisoned crime boss, and a police detective lover who is in over his head.

Discuss the show here.

[Writing Wrongs]

Not great.

First off, "Reef Island" was the best they could come up with? That's as bad as "National City" on Supergirl.

Another faux Sherlock, but this one's a thief. "I can solve the case because I'm a surfer!" "You're hired!"

Oh great, 2 leads who bicker to hide feelings for each other. Maybe the cop should've looked up her info before he hopped into bed with a total stranger. Plus she looks old enough to be his mom.

The music is annoying. The background locals/tourists are watching as they film.

[Whimsy]

Yeah, this was... pretty terrible.  Right from jump.  The opening scene with the Air Mashall?  Soooo bad.  She just walks off the plane towards the luggage, hefted it up and threw it at the crook and the crook never noticed her??  Puhleeze.

I agree with Cat looking old enough to be the cop's mom.  I still think Poppy Montgomery is attractive but why couldn't they have given her a little of an older LI?  I mean, if she wants to get it on with a younger guy, go for it, but I just feel like they are acting like Cat is younger than she is and it just seems off.  I also think PM's line readings are terrible.  She is not natural in this role. 

Also- Reef Island??  Ugh.  I thought it was Hawaii at first but no, it's just a whole new island that's a United States territory? Why not just be set in Hawaii? I did a little googling and it appears that this is shot on the Gold Coast in Australia, which is probably why Poppy's doing it since she's Australian. 

I'm kind of sad because I like watching Hawaii location-porn (reminds me of my trip last year) and I thought this would be a fun summer show but it has to get exponentially better for me to enjoy it. 

I also agree the music is terrible. 

[saber5055]

I have to say I liked it. It kept my attention until the end, which is more than I could say for Grand Hotel and every other new show. I wanted a summer "drama" and this is the only one I kept watching 'til the end.

Sure, there are problems. Poppy went from looking young to looking like someone's gramma. Pretty, then not-so attractive. Like Seinfeld's Two-Face Woman. She wasn't built athletic like a world-class surfer, but I know nothing about that sport so maybe softer women with big boobs can surf the big waves. Who knows. I will be watching for a stunt switch out though. And I'm okay with that.

I liked that the cast wasn't all identical eye candy, with everyone looking the same. I can't tell contestants apart on The Bachelor/Bachelorette, and Grand Hotel was the same, actors needed name tags. I liked that Poppy hooked up with an Asian police guy, who was a "normal" looking Asian guy, and her husband is a slightly overweight grey-haired guy with a pony tail. That was totally different for today's tv. I even liked the overweight sandwich guy. He's like the dude who lives down the street. In fact, all of these people resemble dudes who live down the street.

Sure, the beginning was hokey since Poppy didn't even hit that guy with the suitcase. And the blond surfer dude being murdered and put in a freezer was extraneous, not sure why he had to be killed just because he was in on the plot. As Poppy was climbing into the house, I wondered if that was really Jessie Graf, that would be cool if she got a gig in Australia.

I also wondered why the kidnapped woman didn't drown after she was snatched off of her kayak, but whatever. I guess they had air lines down there like those cocktail-lounge tank "mermaids" have.

I did believe the kidnapped woman doing it for her SM followers though. THAT was the most believable part of the show, and the first to use that as far as I know. At least as a plot device. We all know the Bachelor cast uses that as a Wrong Reason.

Meanwhile, the scenery is pretty. I'm in for the duration, however long that is.

[Chaos Theory]

This looks deeply stupid but also a lot of fun.   I kinda dig the main  character who appears to be an ex-criminal on the straight and narrow who when she returns home after a long absence almost immediately gets wrapped up with the police and the richest family in town.   Yeah I kinda dig it.....a lot.    So this is definitely going on my DVR until it gets cancelled.   

Edited June 22, 2019 by Chaos Theory

[Irlandesa]

I do enjoy an easy procedural even if I do prefer them a little more interesting than this one. I figured out that the daughter had set up her kidnapping pretty early on.  If the mysteries get more interesting, this will be good summer fare. 

I do think Poppy Montgomery is a genius to basically create a rather low pressure show which allows her to film in her home country yet has everyone use an American accent so it'd be US network-palatable.  That said, it's actually a show created for an international audience so if it does well elsewhere, there's a good chance it'll keep her in a job even if it doesn't air on ABC.

I recently rewatched Unforgettable which was Poppy's show before this one.  In it, she plays a detective with eidetic memory and a gambling problem. She's basically playing the same character here.  Oh it flips the switch a bit in that she's a former criminal but the energy is the same.  She's a bit brash.  She's flirty with everyone and, in that plane scene, they told us she was going to have superpower observations that the mere professionals don't have.

I did enjoy that series, though, especially once Jane Curtain joined the cast.  The secondary characters will be crucial to my enjoyment.

Edited June 22, 2019 by Irlandesa

[peachmangosteen]

I can't decide if this was so bad it's fun or just bad yet. I'll give it another go because I've been missing having a mindless, fun bad type of procedural to watch.

I can't with how unwashed and terrible Poppy Montgomery looked in this. And her absolutely horrible wardrobe was cracking me up. 

The cop's face was too distracting for me. His plastic surgery is bad. Same for Poppy Montgomery tbh. I am so mean and shallow but it is what it is!

My fave characters were her ex-husband (Jake?) and Otter. 

I hope this gets better or at least more fun.

[Raja]

23 hours ago, Whimsy said:

Yeah, this was... pretty terrible.  Right from jump.  The opening scene with the Air Mashall?  Soooo bad.  She just walks off the plane towards the luggage, hefted it up and threw it at the crook and the crook never noticed her??  Puhleeze.

I agree with Cat looking old enough to be the cop's mom.  I still think Poppy Montgomery is attractive but why couldn't they have given her a little of an older LI?  I mean, if she wants to get it on with a younger guy, go for it, but I just feel like they are acting like Cat is younger than she is and it just seems off.  I also think PM's line readings are terrible.  She is not natural in this role. 

Also- Reef Island??  Ugh.  I thought it was Hawaii at first but no, it's just a whole new island that's a United States territory? Why not just be set in Hawaii? I did a little googling and it appears that this is shot on the Gold Coast in Australia, which is probably why Poppy's doing it since she's Australian. 

I'm kind of sad because I like watching Hawaii location-porn (reminds me of my trip last year) and I thought this would be a fun summer show but it has to get exponentially better for me to enjoy it. 

I also agree the music is terrible. 

Well they did give the classic MILF, in an age where most TV leads are closer to 50 than 40, an age appropriate option when she hesitated when presented with divorce papers.

For what is was it reminded me of what used to be on USA this time of year before all of basic cable tried to out bad the others. However Reef Island seems way to over policed with security guards ready to take on criminal ex SEALs coming out of the surf.. By going to a territorial resort I would have expected more Death in Paradise and less Hawaii 5-0 reboot.

[Chaos Theory]

I disagree about Cat looking too old.  Maybe I have zero comprehension of age but when the character went to the FBI agent who was supposed to be her husband I wondered how she married a guy who looked like HER father.  

Edited June 22, 2019 by Chaos Theory

[peachmangosteen]

6 hours ago, Chaos Theory said:

I disagree about Cat looking too old.  Maybe I have zero comprehension of age but when the character when to the FBI agent who was supposed to be her husband I wondered how she married a guy who looked like HER father.  

I legit thought he was her father at first!

[Accidental Martyr]

That was pretty silly. The bit was the suitcase was absolutely ridiculous.

[Texasmom1970]

Will Poppy only be on a tv show if she is written as being so amazing nobody can do their job without her. That is all I have ever seen from her.

[AnimeMania]

Maybe she likes to typecast her when choosing scripts.

[BaskingsharkGTX]

Well that was very... montage-ey. Since the demise of The Enemy Within I have most certainly not been on the lookout for another terrible show about an incredibly annoying woman with astounding powers of deduction and prediction who law enforcement officials inexplicably invite to investigate crimes. Looks like I found it though!

I think my favorite bit was when Petra punched her in the face.  

I will definitely be back next week. 

[saber5055]

On 6/22/2019 at 11:18 AM, Chaos Theory said:

I disagree about Cat looking too old.  Maybe I have zero comprehension of age but when the character went to the FBI agent who was supposed to be her husband I wondered how she married a guy who looked like HER father.  

That's exactly what I thought too, that Pony Tail Guy was her father, so the husband bit surprised me. But like I posted earlier, Poppy went from looking young to looking old(er) then young again. Then old(er) again. She is a woman of many ages! I didn't find her hooking up with the cop out of line, never gave age a thought there, and I thought it was cool that her husband was older. Or maybe he's younger. In any case, I'm glad he was not some Here's My Abs guy with high hair and five-o'clock shadow, you know, like every actor on tv these days.

[shapeshifter]

Finally caught this on Hulu because I hadn't realized it was opposite Elementary.

It's the best of the summer fluff shows so far, IMO.

Poppy's wardrobe may fit her character, but it does not go with her body type. Those flowy dresses are better on tall string beans. They make her look like an inverted pear. But she looks okay in the body suits. I'm guessing bikinis are out of the question.

In an interview she said that while she can surf "okay," they use a body double for any non paddling shots.

I wish there was going to be more Grant Bowler, but it looks like they dropped the plot of the richest guy on the island after the pilot.

[eel21788]

On ‎6‎/‎21‎/‎2019 at 4:53 PM, Chaos Theory said:

This looks deeply stupid but also a lot of fun.   I kinda dig the main  character who appears to be an ex-criminal on the straight and narrow who when she returns home after a long absence almost immediately gets wrapped up with the police and the richest family in town.   Yeah I kinda dig it.....a lot.    So this is definitely going on my DVR until it gets cancelled.   

So far, it's reminding me of North Shore.

[OoogleEyes]

Oh! Titus Polo got a bit of a beer belly going on. 

I wish they would just let them use their natural Australian accents.  Not impressed so far, time will tell for me 

[shapeshifter]

Just watched 1.2 on Hulu to see if Poppy's wardrobe was improved for her body type. 
Better.

IMO, this show is better written than any of the other fluff shows currently/recently on, like Blood & Treasure, Whiskey Cavalier, or even Grand Hotel.
Given Cat's backstory (surfer and grifter) and that she has survived to middle age (right?) with her sunny facade in tact, I can actually believe that Cat is that smart and clever. 

And I like that there are 4 female regulars who do not need to be rescued by the dudes. Cat totally orchestrated the arrival of the cavalry.

And speaking of them acknowledging that Cat is no ingenue, I appreciate them giving her a pseudo-maternal relationship with Petra -- both because it honors her age, and because it recognizes that some female viewers have given birth, whereas others have not but have likely mentored young women.
  

23 minutes ago, OoogleEyes said:

Oh! Titus Polo got a bit of a beer belly going on. 

I have not previously seen Ray Stevenson, so in the pilot I wondered why they hadn't given the bigger part to the more physically fit Grant Bowler, but in this episode I was able to appreciate Stevenson's acting chops and the chemistry between him and Poppy. Since his character is set up for a development arc, maybe the actor can get a trainer to help him look changed -- as well as make the actor's second half of life more physically comfortable/healthy. (I'm old enough to be his older sister or aunt, so I get to lecture.)
Or, since his face looks good on screen, maybe they can just shoot him at more flattering angles.

So, I'm in until they pull it -- unless it goes to some unforeseen gratuitous crap.

[OoogleEyes]

18 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

I have not previously seen Ray Stevenson, so in the pilot I wondered why they hadn't given the bigger part to the more physically fit Grant Bowler, but in this episode I was able to appreciate Stevenson's acting chops 

Oh, you have to see him Rome. He is *fantastic*

[shapeshifter]

16 minutes ago, OoogleEyes said:

36 minutes ago, shapeshifter said:

I have not previously seen Ray Stevenson, so in the pilot I wondered why they hadn't given the bigger part to the more physically fit Grant Bowler, but in this episode I was able to appreciate Stevenson's acting chops 

Oh, you have to see him Rome. He is *fantastic*

No doubt, but Rome is not something I will be watching.
But if I become enamored with him or his character here, I will take your recommendation to heart and Google a YouTube clip.

[saber5055]

I turned over from the debate for 15 minutes, then went back to the debate. I'm disappointed I can't find where I am able to watch it online free, even the ABC site wants me to have a cable provider and I have only antenna tv.

The little I did see involved Poppy getting the motorbike back, but not sure why it was being held hostage for $500. And her husband is now her EX husband. That happened quickly as last week she wanted someone to look at the divorce papers, I guess she signed them during the week.

I noticed this last week and again last night. Isn't Reef Island suppose to be a U.S. property? I guess they should get cars that steer on the left then, and get rid of all those right-driving Aussie autos.

I didn't think Poppy looked all that great in the baggy bra-less blue dress thing, but I have no room to talk, she looked better than I would in it. I do like that she lets her hair go all scraggly and her makeup looks like no makeup. That sets her apart from every other actor on a prime-time tv show these days.

No comment about the plot since that 15 minutes didn't tell me a thing. Maybe that's good.

Edited June 28, 2019 by saber5055

[shapeshifter]

6 hours ago, saber5055 said:

I'm disappointed I can't find where I am able to watch it online free, even the ABC site wants me to have a cable provider and I have only antenna tv.

You could do a Hulu trial — set up a new email identity if necessary. 

The pilot is re-airing on the 4th. Maybe the second ep will get slipped into an open spot on a Friday or Saturday too.

[Raja]

20 hours ago, saber5055 said:

I turned over from the debate for 15 minutes, then went back to the debate. I'm disappointed I can't find where I am able to watch it online free, even the ABC site wants me to have a cable provider and I have only antenna tv.

The little I did see involved Poppy getting the motorbike back, but not sure why it was being held hostage for $500. And her husband is now her EX husband. That happened quickly as last week she wanted someone to look at the divorce papers, I guess she signed them during the week.

I noticed this last week and again last night. Isn't Reef Island suppose to be a U.S. property? I guess they should get cars that steer on the left then, and get rid of all those right-driving Aussie autos.

I didn't think Poppy looked all that great in the baggy bra-less blue dress thing, but I have no room to talk, she looked better than I would in it. I do like that she lets her hair go all scraggly and her makeup looks like no makeup. That sets her apart from every other actor on a prime-time tv show these days.

No comment about the plot since that 15 minutes didn't tell me a thing. Maybe that's good.

I think he was ex but just separated in the pilot also. Unlike the bad people shows now on basic cable where a character can just have sex they are playing this game where everybody is calling the cop a boyfriend when all we were shown was a guy trying to pick up the easiest candidate from latest tourist flight and Cat treating him the same. But then they seem to be teasing the possibility of big sister Lt Governor seeing something in FBI Agent Jake.

I watched after reading the post and didn't even noticed the cars. Maybe when the inevitable car chase, being cheaper than helicopters and high tech police cutters shows up they will take time to flip the feed if they don't use money to import  movie cars.

[Chaos Theory]

Just watched the second episode and I continue to like this show.  Poppy Montgomery is by no means the greatest actress but she does know her own strengths. This kind of peppy crime actions is in her wheelhouse which makes the show highly entertaining if you like pretty people in pretty locations solving increasingly improbable issues.

[walnutqueen]

On 6/28/2019 at 7:52 AM, OoogleEyes said:

Oh! Titus Polo got a bit of a beer belly going on.

And is still a sexy beast, IMHO. 

But even His Hotness cannot save this mess for me.

Begone, Poppy, and take your shitty show with you.

[OoogleEyes]

13 hours ago, walnutqueen said:

Begone, Poppy, and take your shitty show with you.

She is the worst. I don't understand how she continues to get work 

[walnutqueen]

32 minutes ago, OoogleEyes said:

She is the worst. I don't understand how she continues to get work 

You mean to tell me she's actually had other acting jobs?  Oooph.

[OoogleEyes]

56 minutes ago, walnutqueen said:

You mean to tell me she's actually had other acting jobs?  Oooph.

Indeed. You should read her bio on IMDB. I threw up a little in my mouth 

[Chaos Theory]

To each is own I guess.  I really liked Unforgetable and this is fun harmless summer fun.   Poppy Montgomery is never going to win any acting awards but I honestly dont understand the hate.   

[shapeshifter]

18 minutes ago, Chaos Theory said:

Poppy Montgomery is never going to win any acting awards but I honestly dont understand the hate.  

Me neither, but I figured it was just a matter of time before it came up again. It seems to be a real mystery that will never be solved, so I guess "The Mystery of the Online Maligned Actress" wouldn't make a good episode plot, because on TV, the case has to get solved.

[SunnyBeBe]

I get why Poppy has somewhat of a questionable reputation with her skills, however, she's been really good in two shows. One was Without A Trace. Also Unforgettable. I liked her in both. She has a qirky personality, that doesn't translate to everyone. Still, something about her appeals to me. ??  I like this show for some reason.

What distracts me with this show is that certainly she would have severe sunburn with her coloring and complexion. I know no redheads who like the sun. Lol

[shapeshifter]

22 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

What distracts me with this show is that certainly she would have severe sunburn with her coloring and complexion. I know no redheads who like the sun. Lol

Seriously. But I suppose if she wore broad-brimmed hats and slathered on sunscreen it would just draw more attention to her fish-out-of-water casting WRT location. 

[Brookside]

On ‎6‎/‎28‎/‎2019 at 7:52 AM, OoogleEyes said:

I wish they would just let them use their natural Australian accents. 

Me too - some of the supposed American accents were egregious.

[Aliconehead]

15 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

What distracts me with this show is that certainly she would have severe sunburn with her coloring and complexion. I know no redheads who like the sun. Lol

Raises hand. I am a natural redhead that tans.  I have a very friendly relationship with the sun.  

[SunnyBeBe]

On 7/5/2019 at 2:55 PM, Aliconehead said:

Raises hand. I am a natural redhead that tans.  I have a very friendly relationship with the sun.  

That's amazing.  Lots of redheads on my mom's side of the family.  I'm ticked that I was not blessed, but, they all burn very easy and grimace at the thought of going out on bright sunny days. None of them tan, just burn and freckle.  So, I am surprised that it is possible.  

Edited July 8, 2019 by SunnyBeBe

[shapeshifter]

1.3 "Buried Things"

Quote

When the wreckage of a plane crash is discovered in the jungle, it sparks the search for its passenger and a race to find Petra before it’s too late.

Bad guys lose. Good guys win. Heartwarming moments. What's not to like? 

[AnimeMania]

Cat the Cop Killer. 

[Jillybean]

Welp, I watched part of episode 3 and couldn't be bothered to finish. It's been sitting on the DVR for days. Another one bites the dust.

[shapeshifter]

Episode 4 was okay until the last bit went full-on soap opera.

[LakeGal]

I started this last episode and realized I just didn't care.  I'm out.

[OoogleEyes]

1 hour ago, LakeGal said:

I started this last episode and realized I just didn't care.  I'm out.

I just started this one, we'll see.  I tried to watch it last night, but fell asleep. I do kind of like the Assistant Governor? Lieutenant Governor?

What  is her title? Still can't stand the Popinator

Edited July 19, 2019 by OoogleEyes
All letters matter

[Texasmom1970]

I watch some television shows that arent great, but even this one is too bad for me. Rather do housework and thats saying a lot. Im out.

[Raja]

Fire is not hot unless it actually touches you skin. When Cat got rid of the limited protection of the medic's jacket and cap I was hoping her hair would spontaneously combust.

[shapeshifter]

1 hour ago, Raja said:

Fire is not hot unless it actually touches you skin. When Cat got rid of the limited protection of the medic's jacket and cap I was hoping her hair would spontaneously combust.

I kept expecting her to twist up her hair because that's what I would do, but instead it served to distract from the bigger problems of the show. 

[AnimeMania]

5 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

6 hours ago, Raja said:

Fire is not hot unless it actually touches you skin. When Cat got rid of the limited protection of the medic's jacket and cap I was hoping her hair would spontaneously combust.

I kept expecting her to twist up her hair because that's what I would do, but instead it served to distract from the bigger problems of the show. 

She was just lucky she didn't happen to be wearing one of her "patented" long flowing skirts that sweep across the ground. I really thought she was going to cut the red wire, because who knows more than "Cat". I will make no mention of someone getting plastic surgery to change their "ethnicity", at least that is what it seemed like to me.

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

. I really thought she was going to cut the red wire, because who knows more than "Cat".

Totally thought she'd cut the red wire.

  
  

2 hours ago, AnimeMania said:

I will make no mention of someone getting plastic surgery to change their "ethnicity", at least that is what it seemed like to me.

????
Must've missed it.

[AnimeMania]

Just now, shapeshifter said:

Must've missed it.

I thought the two passports were supposed to be the same woman. I thought the original was Hispanic and the second was a pale red head. Even if that wasn't what happened, I don't think the two women in the passports looked anything like each other.

[saber5055]

While I liked the first episode, I missed the second and only caught the last minutes of ep 3. I was home last night and had this on, then got distracted by something shiny so only a few parts registered. I couldn't figure out why the woman strapped a bomb to herself and everyone kept following her around while she yelled, "Are you ready to die." Why not just evac the building?

I noticed that Poppy goes all slack jawed with her mouth hanging open when she's observing something, like that gives her focus. It majorly bugged me and became something I dwelled on and couldn't unsee.

So the Asian cop is her main squeeze now? But obviously not, according to the end where she's a bar pickup. Or the guy is a bar pickup. Who knows. Who cares.

I do still like the pony-tail FBI ex-husband. Maybe he can get his own show.

I happened to see a rerun of Unforgettable, some show I'd never heard of, and there was Poppy, wearing the same clothes and same everything, including the gap mouth stare. *sigh* I was hoping this show would be a summer-time entertainment, but like @LakeGal, I guess I don't care. I might try again next week but am not hoping for the best.

ETA: If Poppy was so certain the bomb lady was bluffing, why didn't she just smack down the bomb lady and get it over with? Instead she yells at the guy for freaking shooting bomb lady? Gah. Please.

Edited July 26, 2019 by saber5055

[AnimeMania]

1 hour ago, saber5055 said:

ETA: If Poppy was so certain the bomb lady was bluffing, why didn't she just smack down the bomb lady and get it over with? Instead she yells at the guy for freaking shooting bomb lady? Gah. Please.

Because bomb lady had a knife and Poppy already found out that she knows how to use it earlier that episode. The Asian cop was a little worried about Poppy, Eastland and if people believed he was on Eastland's payroll, so he just busted a cap in her.