Five cabins, each containing individuals with their own story. Summerwater forces them to reckon with their humanity at its core. The series doesn’t merely address the question of “who is capable of the unthinkable?”, but also who is thinking the unthinkable, and why.
On Sunday November 16, Channel 4 released their six-part series following a group of people staying at a holiday cabin resort in the Scottish countryside. The show features an eclectic cast including former Harry Potter star and Scottish actress, Shirley Henderson, and Stephen Dougray, known for his role in Mission Impossible 2.
About
Based on the book by Sarah Moss, the story touches on themes such as sex, guilt, regret and curiosity. In the show, the audience is welcomed into the minds of the characters through backstory, innovative direction and screenplay.
At the resort, each cabin is made up of couples or families with issues in their life that they are having to confront during their stay. Following the different characters’ superficial relationship with each other, the audience is made privy to the raw humanity which defines who they are.
In the damp and eerie backdrop of the Scottish countryside, the characters go about a seemingly ordinary day. The environment is revealed to be the perfect stage for the unusual occurrences which appear to be unavoidable at Summerwater.
The hermit hiding in the forest observing them all, Gavin, played by actor James Harkness, puts it best:
“You’re telling me that you can’t feel it? In the trees, all around, something very, very odd. You know in horror movies, you get portals to another dimension? This place is like that, except it leads inside of you”
“…People come here to confront something in themselves, whether they realise it or not.”
More Than Just A ‘Who done it?’
The show sets its premise around an event which happens in the last episode, a fire. But it is more than simply a “who done it?”, though that is something the audience is reminded of regularly. Each episode sets the scene with the characters sitting in an interrogation room being question after the incident.
As the show goes on, it becomes clear how we are not only watching to find out what happened; we are being told a story about what it means to be human. Every minute and confusing interaction between the characters becomes clearer once we have their own personal perspectives – an allegorical lesson for the audience.
The characters come to life thanks to a phenomenal cast, who don’t disappoint in their performance. Shirley Henderson and Gavin Harkness offer captivating interpretations of their characters. Additionally, Shauna McDonald, who plays the mum of the Henderson family, contributes with a devastatingly accurate performance.
Conclusion
The show concludes eerily with the lingering question: “What do we really know about ourselves and each other?” But rather than leave the viewer with a sense of nihilistic pessimism, it also enables them to find empathy for the stranger whom they clearly do not know.
If you do choose to watch Summerwater, it is definitely worth giving it your full attention. The show is crawling with beautiful detail and foreshadowing which contributes to the entirety of the story.
You can now stream all 6 episodes of Summerwater on Channel 4.
Featured Image Credit: Robert Wilson / Channel 4