Ep 1. A Donation To The Struggle

Secret City is a gripping political thriller that explores the dark underbelly of Australian politics. The show is based on a book by journalists Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis, and follows the story of seasoned political journalist Harriet Dunkley, played by Anna Torv. The first season has six episodes, and this review will focus on the first episode, titled "A Donation to the Struggle."

In this episode, we are introduced to Harriet Dunkley, a hard-hitting journalist who is more than willing to bend the rules to get her story. As the episode opens, she is breaking into a government building in order to investigate an illegal immigration detention center. Her efforts are successful, and she manages to get footage of the inhumane conditions at the facility.

But Dunkley's real story comes when she receives a tip from an anonymous source about a donation to a political party. This donation, she learns, has come from a Chinese billionaire named Shen, who has close ties to the Chinese government and has been accused of money laundering and corruption. The money has been given to the Australian prime minister's party, and Dunkley smells a rat.

Dunkley's investigation takes her down a rabbit hole of corruption and political intrigue. She discovers that Shen is not just a shady businessman, but also a major player in the Chinese Communist Party. His donation is clearly an attempt to buy influence within the Australian government, and Dunkley is determined to expose him.

As Dunkley's investigation progresses, she meets up with a former colleague, Kim Gordon, played by Danielle Cormack. Gordon is now working as a security consultant for a private company, and she helps Dunkley to dig deeper into Shen's connections. They learn that he has close ties to a powerful Australian politician, Murray Lowe, played by Alan Dale.

Meanwhile, the prime minister, played by Damon Herriman, is dealing with his own problems. He is under pressure from within his own party to step down, and he is also dealing with the fallout from the detention center scandal. His credibility is at an all-time low, and he is vulnerable to attack from all sides.

The tension begins to build as Dunkley and Gordon get closer to the truth. They manage to obtain a copy of Shen's financial records, which reveal a whole web of corrupt dealings. They also discover that Lowe is involved in the scandal, and that he has been taking bribes in exchange for political favors.

As the episode draws to a close, Dunkley prepares to break the story of the century. She has the evidence she needs to bring down Shen, Lowe, and possibly even the prime minister himself. But she knows that they will not go down without a fight, and that her own life may be in danger.

Overall, "A Donation to the Struggle" is a masterful introduction to Secret City. The episode sets up the intrigue and political machinations that will define the rest of the season. It also introduces us to the complex character of Harriet Dunkley, whose relentless pursuit of the truth puts her in constant danger. With its sharp writing, compelling characters, and tense plot, Secret City is a must-watch for fans of political dramas.