This show isn't without faults. The first few episodes are directed badly. When I was watching them, I realized that this is the first series BBC has filmed in America. About America. What they did was hire British TV Directors to film the first episodes when the show could have used a different style. If you turn on British prime time TV , much of it looks exactly like Copper. Except with probably worse sets. What they do is film a play. In America , this style won't get you far. Except with this show, first of all the material is so good. The writing is great, the subject matter, the historical accuracy, and most of the actors are so on point. Probably a little too heavy to be filmed in that style. It's an abrupt , style. With no music. No segways. Copper needed more in its first few episodes. But the show is too damn good to give up on. So you will get used to it. By the second season they got the directing figured out.. Another one of its faults is, the show like I said is filmed like a play. Sometimes story lines end to abruptly. For example in the second season we meet Buzzy, who seems a fine criminal. Alas he is gone within one episode , neatly killed by one of the regulars. That jarring , kind of abrubtness takes some getting used to. You do get used to it. But it's different for Americans to not watch a good character or story line be squeezed out of its life. This show is actually more realistic in that way too. But again Americans are accustomed to far too much drama to not feel at least slightly uncomfortable at first. Like - why didn't they play music there? Why did they just end that scene without the characters staring into space? What happened? Wow that was quick. Kind of thing. Some of the actors here aren't up to par. Most of the cast is so good that any daggers behind really show. So like with the small child Annie Rieley, she makes the common mistake of the Neb; overacting. At times hard to watch. A few others , not many at all, maybe one or two, needed to be either replaced or given some acting lessons on he spot. There are a few characters , like Sara Freeman are overly dramatic. Again, this is directed more like a play then a TV or movie and suffers for it. But let's talk about the wonderful things about this show. Why the devil it was canceled is beyond me! This is a Wonderrful show. I've never been one of those people to fall in lust with actors. But I found myself really getting sweet on the two main characters ESP. I swear, I haven't seen another show with such s good looking cast. Ouch.. They look like they were sent from heaven . This is just the most beautiful ensemble cast I've ever seen. All in all this show sets up to be absolutely worth it. This show could have afforded even more flaws. It's a great show and I challenge anyone to not enjoy it . ESP the Irish in America. Yes we aren't as Irish as the kids back home but we are just as damn proud.

I don't write reviews, but I will for this one in the hopes that just maybe the network that aired this great show will hear our cry and come to their senses. This show got it right on several levels. The acting was excellent and the story line was very interesting. The sets and filming were very well done and had that gritty "Gangs of New York" feel. I don't know what could have knocked it out of the slot with all the great reviews this series has had? Other than maybe a really intelligent reality show, which the planet so desperately needs. Nothing like being brought to the edge of your seat only to be knocked over the back of the couch. A great show that deserved a great run!

The show presented me at first the interesting idea of a CSI/NCIS style show but in "cowboys" era. This was intended at first with Doctor Matthew Freeman (Ato Essandoh) getting evidences and study them with the means available at that time...solving crimes like that. But then they dropped this "motto" to a boring soap opera of pseudo-romantic bad relationships...tons of betrayals...and political interest struggles.No wonder the show was canceled after 2 seasons...because the second series became quite boring to watch. I confess that still couldn't find the patience to watch the last 4 episodes.The acting was very good by all of the actors...I particularly liked little Annie Reilly (played by awesome Kiara Glasco). She looks very petite (don't know how old is she IRL)...but she plays her part with so much matureness...that actually she looks like a young woman in a child's body. She is a great actress. Congratulations Kiara, and keep acting, PLEASE.5 out of 10 why?1st season 10... 2nd season 0... Therefore... 10/2=5 !

Despite being a fan of most of the actors and of the time period, this show seems to lack entertainment value. It seems like someone made a list of every negative thing that happened during the time period and then someone else tried to cram as much of it as possible into each episode forgoing an interesting story. It's a collage of hard times and hard people. There's nothing wrong with putting the story first and peppering it with history, so why not do it? The creators seem to be trying to make many statements, and they're good statements, but pulling us in with story rather than a bombardment of negative circumstances would work better. I watched all last season and have tried out this season, but I think I'm done watching. It's not providing anything but facts. I watch TV as escapism and the world of Copper doesn't provide an interesting place to be.