Even though somewhat limited in the street scenes etc. probably as a result of budget constraints, this series attempts to focus on the tragedy of decisions that have to be made by individuals facing momentous change. The series is therefore relevant to multicultural Singapore 1964 with the surrounding Malaya/Borneo and Vietnam wars and the pull out of the British as it is today with 9/11 and the Asia century. Caught in this is the Don Hany character who tries valiantly to right wrongs while only sensing right intuitively from a broken multi cultural upbringing. The tragedy of these less than perfect decisions is crystallized in the shock felt by the otherwise bored Maeve Darmody character at the death of a young boy as a result of business and authorities looking the other way (I am only up to episode 5). Darmody pulls this off brilliantly as the quintessential Australian female with Don Hany in support almost out of his shell in feeling guilt for his vacuity in being of not much help to his girlfriend for whom he senses fearfully purpose and grand love. Though both the personal and national tragic themes are vast, good on you HBO and the production team for attempting them.
Review of Serangoon Road
