The Code Series Review: Come For Lucy Lawless, Stay For An Intriguing Political Thriller

"The Code" recently launched on NetFlix. It's an Australian political thriller starring Lucy Lawless, Ashley Zukerman, Dan Spielman, Adam Garcia, etc. The show originally aired in 2014 and won four AACTA awards including : Best Actor (Ashley Zukerman), Best Guest (Chelsie Preston-Crayford), Best Television Drama, and Best Direction.

"The Code" reminds me of another Australian Netflix offering-- "Secret City". That one follows journalist Anna Torv as she discovers espionage in the government. See my reviews here Both series deserve a look.

"The Code" is about the government cover up of a car crash involving two teenagers (Sheyna and Clarence). A mysterious corporation named Physanto is somehow involved. A hacker named Jesse Banks (Ashley Zukerman) sees a video of the accident and finds more intel while snooping around a top secret network. Jesse is a super brilliant but also autistic. Thus, he has difficulty in social situations.

Jesse meets fellow hacker Hani. They hit it right off. Brother Ned (Dan Spielman) is a journalist. His ex Sophie works as the Director of Communications for the Prime Minister. She leaks stories to him on occasion.

Ned's employer the site "Password" publishes video of the car crash-- but is immediately hacked in retaliation. Ned travels Lindara (a small town in New South Wales) to investigate. He talks with with Alex (Lucy Lawless). She's a teacher and has a close relationship with Clarence. She also has a daughter named Missy. Local cop Tim is her father.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). "The Code" is full of political intrigue. No one is what they appear to be. Just when ya think you have one mystery solved, another deeper one appears. And with only six episodes, it's a quick watch. Ashley Zukerman knocks it out of the park as autistic hacker Jess. He deserves all the awards. Plus Lucy Lawless is involved (and I'll watch anything with her in it). There is apparently a season 2 which aired in 2016. i dont think its available in the US yet though.