red herrings and simplistic patterns

What "Departure" does well is throwing red herrings, lots of them. Distracting in many ways so the solution takes time, getting there step by step, following leads and making mistakes.

The acting is OK, the production quality as well, nothing to get excited about - or annoyed by. It delays and distracts, but with detours, not filler scenes.

So it could be considered OK-ish, entertaining, if it weren't for one thing: its gender/sex politics.

The good guys are always men. Women can show adoration or remorse; but they don't get to take decisions or...