How is Hinterland different?

How is Hinterland different? What makes the show special?

Ray Donovan, now that's a good show. It is good mostly because of the particularly fascinating character after whom the show is named. He makes it a great story.

Hinterland doesn't offer that kind of story.

Or, maybe it does. But the particularly fascinating character in Hinterland is the hinterland itself, and its people. Not Mathias specifically; not Mathias and his team, though I love them all dearly. The fascinating character in Hinterland is Wales.