She’s not always terribly likable, but the show effectively develops the catalysts that led to how she acts out, and she’s compelling despite her behavior.
Top of the Lake: China Girl even manages to fit in a side plot about Robin and Miranda struggling as women in a male-dominated profession, and they both handle their positions quite differently.
China Girl can even qualify as a coming of age story for young Mary, who is being pulled in a number of different directions as her 18th birthday approaches.
The series can also qualify as a family drama, as Robin tries to become a part of her teenage daughter’s life many years after giving her up for adoption.