Top of the Lake, Season 1 (open spoilers)

Cafe Society
1

Netflix just served me up “Top of the Lake,” which I was completely unaware of, even though it first was broadcast something like three years ago.

I thought that the performances were riveting, especially Peter Mullan as Matt Mitcham, the local strongman.

Fascinating depiction of the distribution of power in a small town. And, obviously, the subordination of women by the patriarchal power structure.

I wasn’t expecting the twist ending, but perhaps I should have.

One question: Are we to believe that Al lied about the DNA tests and that Matt didn’t rape his own daughter after all, and that, perhaps, Al himself is the father of Tui’s child?

And if he lied about that test, might he also have lied about Johnno’s DNA test and that Johnno and Robin really are in an unwittingly incestuous relationship?

2

There’s a second season?

I’ve seen the whole thing. Let’s just say. I thought the father of the child was pretty well cleared up; Tui was right when she said “no one.” It was not Matt, that was for sure.

3

I watched it too (and enjoyed it). I don’t know anyone in real life who has even heard of it, let alone watched it.

From what I recall at the time, it was a one (season) and done. There were never plans to go beyond that.

If memory serves.

Sometimes it doesn’t.
mmm

4

I think the DNA tests were correct- why else would Tuoi (not sure of spelling) run except she was smart enough to know her dad would probably kill her…

This is one of my favorite series- it’s weird and horrible but well-performed by all involved. I also heard it’s done- always meant to be one season.

5

According to Wikipedia, they have changed their minds about not doing any more seasons — (I have put it in spoiler tags because this thread is only for Season 1 spoilers)

6

Can you elaborate on this?

7

It’s “Tui.”

I got the impression that Matt wouldn’t have killed her either way. He was definitely going to make her get an abortion. Why do you think he would have?

8

I never saw it, but I think I saw Elisabeth Moss get a Golden Globe for it.

9

Tui had been drugged and raped in her sleep. As far as she was concerned, no one was the father of her child. IIRC, the actual father was the guy running the child sex ring – that might have been the cop who said Tui’s dad was guilty.

10

(This is an open spoiler thread for season 1, so there’s no need for boxing)

It’s possible that Al—the cop who ran the sex ring—was the father, but is there something in the show that confirmed that?

That is in fact my question—are we supposed to think it was only a possibility or are we supposed to think it’s definite? If so, then why?

Because there are people —in this thread at least—who seem to be just as certain that Al didn’t lie about the test and that Matt was the father.

Matt certainly had access to the same drugs that Al did—he was the local drug baron, after all. And Mark and Luke suspected him too.