Ep 1. Hollow Shore

In the first episode of Southcliffe season 1, titled Hollow Shore, we are introduced to a small town in England that is about to be rocked by tragedy. The episode begins with seemingly peaceful shots of the town and its inhabitants going about their daily lives. However, things quickly begin to unravel as we see glimpses of a man with a gun and hear reports of multiple shootings.

We are then introduced to several of the townspeople, each with their own struggles and issues. There's journalist David Whitehead (Rory Kinnear), who is trying to get a story out of the tragedy while still being respectful to the victims. He is also dealing with the aftermath of a personal loss and trying to reconnect with his estranged wife and children.

Then there's local shop owner Claire Salter (Shirley Henderson), who is struggling to make ends meet and take care of her disabled daughter. We see her interactions with a kind-hearted homeless man who frequents her shop.

Meanwhile, we meet Stephen Morton (Sean Harris), a young man who has returned to Southcliffe after years of being away. He is haunted by his past and struggling to reconnect with his mother. We see him interacting with a group of teenagers who seem to be fascinated by him, and later we see him with the gunman.

The episode also explores the effects of the tragedy on the town's residents, from the police officers tasked with investigating to the grieving families of the victims. There are tense scenes of reporters descending on the town and people being interviewed about the shooting.

Throughout the episode, there is a palpable sense of tension and unease. We know something terrible is coming, but we're not sure when or who will be affected.

As the episode draws to a close, we see the aftermath of the shooting and how it has impacted the town. There are heart-wrenching scenes of families grieving and trying to make sense of what has happened.

Overall, Hollow Shore sets the stage for a gripping and emotional series. The writing is top-notch, and the performances are excellent across the board. This is a show that is not afraid to tackle difficult subject matter, and it does so with sensitivity and nuance.