The Game provokes fierce criticism from Channel 5 viewers for ‘weird’ plot-holes, here’s the top complaints
The Game continues on Channel 5 this week and, while some viewers are happy with the Robson Green/Jason Watkins thriller, others have already decided to switch off.
But why? Well they blame the writing, plot-holes, and “weird” story, while others have even called it “boring”.
Here’s viewers’ reaction to the four-part Channel 5 thriller The Game, which concludes this Thursday (May 15, 2025).
***Warning: very mild spoilers from The Game episode 1 ahead***
Robson Green and Jason Watkins play frenemies in the cat-and-mouse thriller [Credit: Channel 5]
Viewers reaction to The Game on Channel 5
While some are already hooked on the series, others have called the thriller out for a string of problems.
The four-parter sees Jason Watkins’ character Huw become convinced that his new neighbour Patrick (Robson Green in The Game cast) is The Ripton Stalker – a murderer he did not manage to catch during his years on the police force before retiring.
While the story sounds good on paper, viewers were quick to criticise what they saw as some pretty big plot-holes.
In fact, some didn’t even manage the whole episode. One wrote on X: “Okay. I’ve given The Game half an hour and no, it’s dire.”
Another said: “Watched the first episode of The Game on Channel 5 and must admit I’m not a fan….”
A third simply said: “Nope, I’ve turned it over #TheGame.”
The Game’s top plotholes and problems
Some viewers picked up on the fact that The Ripton Stalker’s so-called catchphrase wasn’t exactly rare.
We learnt that the serial killer would sign off taunting letters to DI Huw Miller with the words “catch you later”.
When Huw’s neighbour died in mysterious circumstances, and Patrick moved in pretty quickly, suspicious-by-nature Huw smelled a rat. And then when Patrick parted one post-pub evening with the words “catch you later”, Huw’s head nearly fell off.
However, as one viewer reacted: “Most people I know say ‘catch you later’.”
Viewers might NOT know that the series was originally called Catch You Later, until it was changed to The Game.
Even Huw’s wife Alice questioned him when he began to suspect Patrick [Credit: Channel 5]
‘Researchers need to do their homework’
Viewers also begged the show “to do their homework” about certain aspects of the series.
One wrote: “The Game researchers need to do their homework. You don’t play golf in jeans or baggy shirts or half-mast combat shorts or crew neck sweaters FFS.”
Another questioned the neighbourhood etiquette, typing: “Inviting neighbours round to your new house?! That never happens.”
Meanwhile, others didn’t buy the relationship between Huw and his wife Alice. One viewer said: “I wasn’t sold on Alice and Huw as a couple!”
Another agreed, adding: “Don’t see them as a couple. He’s too old for her.”
We have to disagree with this one, though. We loved their on-screen relationship! And while actor Jason is 62, Alice actress Sunetra Sarker is 51. Stranger things have happened on TV and much bigger age gaps! Think about Rupert Campbell-Black and Taggie O’Hara in Rivals!
The series is ‘boring’
Despite Channel 5 billing The Game as a thriller, some of those watching at home clearly disagreed.
One disgruntled viewer said: “Is there a helpline for anyone else bored by this shite so far? #TheGame.”
Another said: “So far The Game has been a real bore with the only likeable character being killed off. Perhaps he had the right idea sparing himself any more of life on that road!”
A third decided reluctantly decided to stick with it, adding: “I’ll probably watch another episode in the hope it gets better as it’s very slow! #TheGame.”
We’re we all watching the same thing?
Huw realising his neighbour might not be as charming as he first appeared… [Credit: Channel 5]
How about a new idea?
Others simply called the show “wooden” and “weird”, especially Huw’s snooping behaviour. One spoke for many when they wrote: “Oh I so wanted to like this because I love Robson Green. But, if you knock and there’s no answer, you walk away, try again later, you don’t prowl, you certainly don’t take the key and let yourself in and go upstairs… Weird #TheGame.”
Well, this IS as an ex-cop we’re talking about here.
Others weren’t sold on Grantchester star Robson Green in the leading role, writing: “This new drama on C5 causes a bit of a quandary for me, as I find anything with Jason Watkins is usually brilliant, but anything with Robson Green is often a bit crap.”
Oof, look away now Robson!
Some even directed their disdain at Channel 5 thrillers in general, with one writing: “Channel 5 drama team seem to be obsessed with paranoid neighbours and ‘voyeurism’. We had the partner swapping one a while back [The Couple Next Door], then the magpies one with Jill Halfpenny the other week [The Feud]. Now an ex-cop with a thorn in his side. How about a new idea? Shake things up. #TheGame.”
Do you agree with these complaints? Or are you enjoying the drama?
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