Real Men (BBC2)

THIS two-part serial is very well-written, well-acted and well-made, but that won't stop the question being asked - as some did before it was even shown - whether it was actually necessary.

The subject of child abuse is in danger of over-exposure in dramas, leaving the makers open to the accusation that they, in their turn, are exploiting the exploited.

There is much in Real Men, which concludes tonight, to shock and appal, although it is wrapped up in police investigation plot to make it more bearable for a general audience.

Ben Daniels is Detective Inspector Matthew Fenton, who's heading a missing child investigation. That's only the starting point as the case leads him to uncover a network of abuse of children that extends far beyond the care homes.

Deasy's script doesn't shy away from the harsher realities of life, although director Sallie Aprahamian opts for a slow, measured approach which spreads the drama over two 90-minute episodes. It was hard, difficult viewing and asking viewers to come back for another dose the following night was expecting a lot.

A shorter single film would have been more effective as the story settles down into a series of confrontations, either through police interviews or the behaviour of the youngsters themselves.

At the same time, Fenton finds his own childhood experiences playing a critical role in establishing a rapport with 12-year-old Russell. The youngster is a key figure in the abuse investigation and the horrifying situation where a child can become "a career prostitute" within the care system.

Fenton, like most other TV detectives, has his own flaws and hang-ups that threaten to undermine the whole investigation. "You need to sort yourself out," a child protection officer tells him after a particularly uncomfortable interview with the boy.

Harry Eden's portrayal of Russell was one of several remarkable performances from the youngsters in the cast. I'm sure they were protected but that didn't stop you wondering exactly how much they knew about what they were saying and doing, and what effect it had on them.