Watch Hounds

Hounds is an enticing one-season New Zealand television series that premiered in 2012 on TV3. With its unique blend of comedy, drama, and romance genres, the show created a significant buzz and garnered an audience with its compelling storyline and satirical approach. The plot of Hounds revolves around the dynamic world of greyhound racing, putting a spotlight onto the underbelly of the sport while also elegantly dissecting the personal relationships of the characters involved.

The central character of Hounds is the underachieving and antisocial lawyer, Will Carrington, who quite unanticipatedly inherits a pack of greyhound racing dogs from his late father. The protagonist is wonderfully crafted, played by Toby Sharpe - his portrayal of a man flooded with new responsibilities keeping the audience engaged and his journey forming the spinal cord of the story. Will's character has a distinctive charm, portraying innocence combined with a desire to escape his humdrum reality, something that viewers can resonate with.

The inheritance not only includes a share of racing greyhounds, but Will also inherits a half-sister, Lily, from his father's double life. The vivacious Lily, played by Susana Tang, adds another layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative. She is a spirited, rebellious, and compassionate character whose contrasting life philosophies provide a great counterbalance to Will's character and energize the screen.

Furthermore, Hounds draws some temperamental humor from the third main character, the eccentric dog trainer Marty Johnstone, impeccably played by Mick Innes. His gruff nature and quirky ideologies form an interesting subplot and often serve as the comic relief in the show. Underneath the gruff exterior, however, Marty portrays a man that is dedicated to his craft, displaying a firm commitment towards the dogs he's training for the races.

A key aspect of the unique charm of Hounds comes from its representation of the oft-ignored, rough-edged world of greyhound racing. Greyhound racing is portrayed in the series with an authenticity that indicates exhaustive research from the creators. The races are not simply used as a backdrop but are well integrated into the larger narrative, revealing flashes of the larger social commentary on the ethics surrounding the sport as well.

Hounds adeptly combines its main plot of dog racing with deeply layered human relationships - the unconventional sibling relationship between Will and Lily, their shared loss of a father they scarcely knew, and their attempts to know each other. Further, the relationship between Will and Marty, while initially defined by their common interest in racing, evolves to signify a mentor-mentee relationship, bringing forth emotional moments that leave a lasting impact.

The aesthetics of the show supplement the storytelling effectively, presenting the rugged, wild, and often chaotic atmosphere of greyhound racing. The cinematography paints the underbelly of the New Zealand suburbs with a haunting charm. The screenplay incorporates clever and often dark humor, presenting a realistic view of life while infusing it with elements of romance and unpredictability.

The series does a remarkable job of maintaining the balance between light-hearted humor and sensitivity towards the dramatic moments, without downplaying the emotional depth needed for the evolution of its characters. The cast, despite being relatively unknown at the time, manages to deliver strong performances, breathing life into their respective characters.

In short, Hounds is a distinctive show created by The Downlow Concept production company that takes the mundane life of a lawyer and turns it into an engaging journey filled with unusual life responsibilities, the thrill of greyhound racing, unexpected familial connections, and hearty humor. The six episodes of the show construct an emotional roller coaster that leaves the audience asking for more, making it a hidden gem of New Zealand television.