ITV's New Espionage Drama Betrayal Draws Viewer Ire Over Numerous Blunders
The new ITV drama Betrayal, which initially captivated audiences with its premiere, has now encountered significant criticism for a series of what fans are calling 'ridiculous' errors and plot inconsistencies. The show, featuring Shaun Evans as MI5 agent John Hughes, follows the protagonist as he becomes embroiled in a deadly surveillance operation where he must confront a kill-or-be-killed scenario.
Viewers Highlight Glaring Inconsistencies and Geographical Errors
Despite John Hughes' established struggles with a crumbling career and failing marriage, which set a tense backdrop from the outset, viewers have pointed out that these personal dramas do not excuse the apparent lapses in the show's second episode. Social media platforms have been flooded with complaints, with one viewer succinctly summarising the sentiment: '#betrayal just got ridiculous. It was doing so well...'.
Specific criticisms have centred on character behaviour and logistical flaws. One audience member derided John Hughes as the 'most indiscreet MI5 worker ever', citing his failure to conceal a message on his phone's lock screen. This critique has been echoed by others who have identified additional blunders.
Geographical and Practical Implausibilities Questioned
Further scrutiny has been directed at the show's handling of location and action sequences. A particularly vocal viewer questioned the realism of a scene, asking: 'How quickly did John jog from Stockport to Levenshulme AND not lose signal on those two blokes?'. This geographical discrepancy has raised eyebrows among those familiar with the areas.
The same viewer also challenged the plausibility of a shootout scene, adding: 'Shootout at the airport? In broad daylight? And did she crouch behind some explosive barrel?'. Additionally, the aftermath of two deaths in the first episode was criticised, with the viewer noting the unlikely absence of bystanders recording the incident on mobile phones, a common occurrence in modern society.
Some reactions have been particularly harsh, with one viewer expressing a desire for the main character's demise: 'Really hope Shaun Evans' character dies in #Betrayal because he is appalling and I hope the dialogue gets killed too because it is abysmal.'. ITV has been approached for comment regarding these viewer concerns.
Mixed Reception: Praise Amidst the Criticism
However, not all feedback has been negative. Social media also hosts positive reviews from viewers who have engaged deeply with the series. One enthusiast, who binge-watched all four available episodes, shared: 'I've watched all episodes and really enjoyed it! Shaun Evans was excellent. I hope there'll be a second series.'.
This divided opinion is reflected on the review platform IMDb, where Betrayal maintains a rating of 6.7 out of 10. One reviewer awarded the show a 7 out of 10, describing it as a 'well-paced and nicely twisty show' and commending the writers for crafting the narrative across four concise episodes.
Strong Premiere and Future Prospects
The drama initially garnered praise shortly after its Sunday night premiere, with one fan applauding: 'That 9pm Sunday ITV slot has been a goldmine for a while now. Betrayal is probably the best of the lot though. I'd advise folk to watch it.'.
Lead actor Shaun Evans has elaborated on the plot, explaining: 'It's about someone having a midlife crisis. Things are no longer working for John and he's trying to find a way forward. His relationship is falling down around his ears, and he no longer has the respect at work for his maverick qualities. His body is beginning to fail and his currency in the world is changing. If you set that against the world of international espionage, it becomes a very interesting dual story.'.
Betrayal continues to air on ITV, with episodes scheduled for Sunday at 9pm and available for streaming on ITVX, offering viewers the chance to form their own opinions on the contentious series.
