I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would

When I see something is soon leaving Netflix, it becomes a compulsion to watch it. I've found some good stuff this way. That's how I came to this one.

Here is where it shines to me:

1. It shows the grittier, nastier side of long sea voyages in prior centuries. Characters couldn't stand or walk straight for the rocking and rolling of the boat. I wonder if the set actually moved like that because it was so realistic. This became a selling point in keeping me watching it. I wanted to know if these people make it to Australia or not.

2. Sam Neill. Sam Neill. Sam Neill. Enough said. His sickbed scenes were fantastic, and not because they were depressing. Quite the opposite. They had a comedic element to them.

3. The chemistry between Sam Neill's character and Victoria Hamilton's. I liked watching them together.

4. It has a good cast. Jared Harris is great, but I've been partial to him since Mad Men. Richard McCabe and Jamie Sives were also good. I guess I have to mention that Benedict Cumberbatch is considered the star in this. He has such a fanatical following, and frankly, I just don't get it. He wasn't bad, and in fact, he was quite decent in it, but I still don't get the worldwide clamoring for him.

I'd watch it again if given the chance.