REVIEW: 'Bloom'

Stan's new Australian drama has an A-list cast and a magical premise - by Gavin Scott

Strange things are happening in a small country town a year after a freak flood claimed the lives of five locals, but at first it doesn’t seem like the events in Bloom – which include a man played by Ryan Corr running around the place without any clothes on and the disappearance from hospital of an Alzheimer’s-afflicted former TV star (Jacki Weaver) – are connected. Watch the trailer below.

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Chelsea Handler shows how to make a face mask out of a bra

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Chelsea Handler shows how to make a face mask out of a bra

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MAFS' Stacey laughs as her bestie makes cruel remarks about Hayley

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MAFS' Stacey laughs as her bestie makes cruel remarks about Hayley

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Naomi Watts has a meltdown on Instagram during isolation

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Naomi Watts has a meltdown on Instagram during isolation

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Hugh Jackman reveals how he's kept his buff body during isolation

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Hugh Jackman reveals how he's kept his buff body during isolation

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Chris Hemsworth stars in explosive new trailer for 'Extraction'

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Hal Willner produces classic track Zip-a-dee-doo-dah by Nilsson

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Odd photo spotted as Prince Charles opens NHS Nightingale Hospital

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MAFS' Hayley Vernon calls out fan for asking her if she's transgender

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MAFS' Hayley Vernon calls out fan for asking her if she's transgender

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Jackson Garlick auctions himself off for charity

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Jackson Garlick auctions himself off for charity

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By the end of the first episode of this six-part local series, the pieces fall into place for the viewer in terms of what mystical process is at play, but what is not entirely clear is where the story is headed. Without giving too much away, it seems to be a second chance for some of the characters to revisit choices they made in their past, but to what end?

Bloom Jacki Weaver Bryan Brown

Stan

With top-rate performances by Corr, Weaver, and cast-mates like Bryan Brown and Phoebe Tonkin, and the vastness of outback Australia as Bloom’s backdrop, there is plenty of incentive to stick with this series, even if you get the inkling that the storyline pay-off isn’t necessarily going to be that satisfying. (On Stan from Tues., Jan. 1) 3.5 stars

For more on Bloom, listen to the summer special episode of WHO's TV podcast, Binge List (below).

Ep 33 - Summer special: Bloom, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 4, Succession, 10 All Access

Gavin Scott

A pop culture enthusiast from a young age, Gavin is equally passionate about great pop music (’80s synthpop, ’10s dream pop), gripping TV series (Friday Night Lights, The Handmaid’s Tale) and trips to the cinema (I love a blockbuster as much as anyone, but I’m done with the superhero thing).

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