The Circuit : Series 2

Review by David Woodward

The Circuit is a landmark SBS Australian drama series that focuses on indigenous issues but in a way that attracts mainstream audiences. It is an entertaining series which is surprisingly addictive and yet educational at the same time.

Aaron Pedersen stars as a mixed-race city lawyer who has decided to stay in Broome and the remote Kimberley region to work with the indigenous people as part of the Aboriginal Legal Service. He works alongside a Clerk of Courts (who he helps through a personal tragedy) and a legal services officer (who effectively acts as his “big brother”).

Rounding out the main characters is the local magistrate who leads the team on regular five day, 2,000 kilometre round trips to dispense justice to the remote communities of Western Australia's north.

Besides some strong scripts, part of the strength of this show is the great second unit sequences of the sweaty, dusty Australian outback scenery as we see the cars and planes flying to various outposted court locations and aboriginal communities that make up the Kimberley Circuit Court.

The series has a semi-serial format with a short but effective “what’s happened so far” segment at the start of each of the six episodes that make up this second season. There is also continuity with some storylines flowing from one episode into the next. Each of the main characters has their own sub-plots which give the actors a chance to shine and to maintain your interest in their developments.

The majority of the indigenous actors (many of whom are from local Broome communities) are surprisingly good, but the real attraction is the performances of its main stars.

Aaron Pedersen is solid and charismatic with the potential for achieving international status if he chooses the right roles. He was recently seen in segments of a documentary on Arthur Upfield’s literary character, Bony, which would be an ideal high profile role for Pedersen should there be any second attempt to bring this character to our TV screens.

In The Circuit, Pedersen’s ability to bring across on-screen a developing sense of fitting into his aboriginal family is certainly worth a viewing.  He actually directed the last episode which is perhaps the best on the DVD.

Most impressive is Gary Sweet as the Magistrate.  After playing some weirder characters recently (most recently in the ABC drama Rain Shadow), this show has provided him with what I consider to be his best part since his iconic first appearance as ‘Magpie’ in The Sullivans all those years ago. He now has a very weathered look which he uses to his advantage. Coupled with his shaved hairstyle, it gives him an obvious Bruce Willis presence. This particular role shows us his sympathetic side however, particularly as the storyline explores his approach to his job in the judiciary and his loving support for his ill wife.

You don’t necessarily have had to watch the first series of this show (screened in 2007) to appreciate the 2009 Series 2.  In fact, it actually encourages you to backtrack and catch up with it!

DVD Special Features

For a short six episode season, the DVD boxset has a good list of extras included.

There is a 17-minute piece featuring Cast Interviews which are interesting and informative – the most impressive being Gary Sweet’s touching speech filmed at the show’s ‘wrap-up’ party.

There are 10-minutes of Deleted Scenes that don’t really provide anything new, except for the relationship between Sweet’s character and his wife.

Finally, there is a 15-minute Mini Documentary that provides information of the casting, music and the Aboriginal Legal Service.  It’s a bit repetitive at times re-using material from the Cast Interviews, but is worth a look.

Conclusion: Episodes 90% Extras: 80%