Spoilers would start swimming now.

It’s been a while since I’ve binged a series. Ok, not completely true, I have been watching a few procedurals as a guilty pleasure and to pass time in airports and planes, but hardly anything I can justify. This one is actually more memorable that airplane fare. As much as it feels it’s going for the horror route, it’s really more of a mystery thriller. As for sci-fi, I’d advice you to tone down your expectations. Let’s see what lies beneath the surface.

(Credit: Prime Video)

The Rig (2023) is created by David Macpherson. The crew working the Scottish oil rig known as Kinloch Bravo are an eclectic bunch of individuals led by Magnus (Ian Glen) as OIM. Representing Pictor, the oil company, is Rose (Emily Hampshire) who is also a scientist. The crew includes Fulmer (Martin Compston), radio and communications, as well as Hutton (Owen Teale), an abrasive veteran crew member, and Baz (Calvin Demba), a young inexperienced rookie, amongst others.

The team is anxiously awaiting some downtime back on the mainland, with only a few lucky chosen for the first batch, when tremors start to shake the station. An unexpected fog comes in, cutting away all their communication. As they deal with the aftermath, Baz is seriously hurt and tended by the medic, Cat (Rochenda Sandall), but experiences a miraculous speedy recovery. Meanwhile, Magnus and Dunlin have to deal with a possible revolt organized by Hutton as they witness ash has started to drop from the sky. With Baz starting to exhibit some strange behaviour and tremors starting to get worse, the crew starts to suspect something strange is going on and worse, something that might just be affecting the world outside as well.

It’s better left unsaid what comes next, but you might recognize a few old themes of man versus nature as well as the common people vs rich companies vs the environment. I can say the acting and the character dynamics feel relatable, although obviously some feel closer to the real thing than others. As for the slow reveal, I sort of expected a more multi-layered conflict than a basic ecology vs greed battle, but perhaps some shades of grey will be revealed as we go into the second season.

Recommended with reservations. I believe it works more when the show is still on the stages of mystery where the possibilities are endless. However once the message of nature vs human greed comes up to the surface, not all audiences will be onboard. Worth a watch, I’d say at least for the first season.

That will do for now.