Death, taxes, and love.

What if soulmates were scientifically proven fact? What would you sacrifice to meet yours?

It sounds like a simple enough premise, but Soulmates takes a deep dive into what this could mean for society and for different forms of relationship, beyond just the two souls involved: their families, their friends – the dynamics are all thrown into turmoil and the rules of engagement are all changed when love becomes one of life’s certainties.

I’d recommend an open mind when you tune in for this one, because if you start pulling at the threads of how The Test works, and all the associated ‘what ifs’ attached, it will lead you down a rabbit hole that may possibly be explored further later in the series. The important element isn’t the nuts and bolts of the fictional science here, it’s the study of how such a globally life-changing discovery impacts humble humans, the way we relate to one another, and the joy and sadness that enter our lives as a result.

In ‘Watershed’ we meet Nikki and Franklin. They are in love, but that love seems to be fraying at the edges. All marriages have their ups and downs and over the years, there can be periods where the mundane can seem more present than the exciting. Throw the possibility that you may not be married to the person you were meant to be with and that can deepen the cracks.

The experiences of Nikki, her family and her friends give us different and engaging windows on some of the more difficult aspects of scientific true love. Culminating in a powerful scene where Nikki has a revelation. Is the grass always greener?

Verdict: A strong opener with an emotive episode in which there are no winners. 8/10

Claire Smith

The full series is released on DVD and digital on 7 February by Acorn Media International