'Wonderland' is a romantic comedy drama set in the seaside suburb of Coogee Beach in Sydney. Specifically, the series centers on the residents of an apartment block, Wonderland, which is a stone's throw from the beach.
'Wonderland' commences with the wedding of two of the main characters, Steve and Dani. Married couple and fellow apartment dwellers Rob and Collette, Dani's friend Grace, Steve's mates Tom and Carlos and returning sister Miranda all attend the wedding. However as Tom's girlfriend causes a scene, Tom's mates decide enough is enough. They have to put a stop to Tom's embarrassing track record with his female flat mates. Tom agrees that he will not sleep with a female flat mate for the next year. If he does he loses his beloved heritage car. The series follows the apartment dwellers in their personal and professional lives, particularly that of Tom as he starts to fall for Miranda, his new flat mate and the sister of his best mate.
The opening titles for the show are innovative and follow alongside a catchy tune song, the chemistry between the group is believable and the addition of regular FAT (Food Appreciation Time) nights where the friends hold a cooking competition and critique each others dishes at a dinner party (where no phones are allowed) all set the series apart from other dramas it is often compared with. However while the first season holds promise for the show to develop and offer a strong alternative to both 'Offspring' and 'The Secret Life of Us', 'Wonderland' never quite takes off or tackles storylines with as much depth as these predecessors.
However 'Wonderland' is still an easy watching, light hearted series with a distinct summery feel and plenty to please the eye. The location of Coogee Beach certainly felt utilized and central to the show.
