I liked the viewer comment contrasting this to the drama of the "Underbelly" series that a rival TV network in Australia has sought to make into mountain of propaganda for its ratings-driven network!
Even though it's a good production, it's an imitation of the shadow of the quality of ABC Productions like the "Blue Murder" mini-series, based on NSW police corruption! Likewise trivial by comparison to the "Underbelly" multi-series, based on Victorian police corruption & murders, that Channel 9 seems to be milking for all the ratings they can get - same week replays - then monthly 4-hour straight replays! Both based on reality! That's apart from the "Wildside" over-dramatic production of over-action & over-noise in virtually every episode of hype but interesting none the less!
But to return to "Emerald Falls", we have an interesting plot based on an encouraging mother & a son who reminds me of one of those 1950s kids portrayed in American movies, who is somehow always right, no matter how phoney the plot! It's entertaining but I felt I'd seen it all before in Agatha Christie type 'whodunnit' productions!
If you are choosing between this & "Jindabyne", choose "Jindabyne"! But "Emerald Falls" is okay & worth a viewing.