I've updated this review following episode 3, which was finally more engaging and feels like it's going somewhere interesting.
Enlightened reminds me of Curb Your Enthusiasm in the way it makes me cringe. The difference is that CYE quickly gets to the point, jabbing it in repeatedly so that it's inescapable, if painful. Enlightened is simply not making its point in any way that can hook a viewer in 20 minutes (make that 40, now that I've been completely irritated by the ending of the 2nd episode). I watched the second episode hoping it would find its focus but, despite a growing cast of "carnival freaks" (a very funny line), I still didn't feel the satisfaction of understanding what their angle is. There was some good stuff in episode 2, but maybe the real problem is the horrible, pointless "bliss" endings tacked onto both episodes. What a waste of dramatic space. I was looking for some meaning to draw it together, and got nuthin.
Laura Dern's character is full-on nuts, and not in a good way. The character is completely repellent and impossible to relate to (even though I am also a somewhat off-the-wall "seeker" who well understands that the road is filled with lots of ugly potholes). There seems to be nothing trustworthy or honest about her, so how can we care? As an example of a repellent character who never fails to fascinate even into his 8th season, Greg House has his audience in the palm of his hand -- because we see the line of authenticity. Why should we watch this marginal character Amy? By the end of the 2nd episode I should have known the answer to that question. But she's already been so insane I don't know how the writers could possibly bring her back to a believable place where she's worth watching, unless they put her on medication. (In episode 3, she's toned down, for the most part.)
The premise is intelligent: being "enlightened" is a worthy goal but no walk in the park. I really want to like this show, so I'm hanging in and feel rewarded by the latest episode. Some viewers may be put off by the clash of comedy with the deeply serious nature of Amy's quest, but in real life this stuff IS funny (while you make plans, God laughs) and the first two episodes really didn't seem to know how to pitch this, just throwing everything at the wall. Finally in episode 3, Laura Dern's character Amy becomes someone I can relate to, even if she's still just hanging on by her fingernails. I love Luke Wilson's scenes as her ex-husband, but he wasn't in the third episode, which is probably good for Amy's health. His character provides an excellent historical perspective on Amy, and scenes with her mother show honestly how parents can both be supportive and drive you crazy.
Bottom line: This is an original drama with a big cast of possibly fascinating characters. It's worth watching to see how these characters develop. However, it's a weird show and may not find an audience in time to avoid the axe.
Enlightened reminds me of Curb Your Enthusiasm in the way it makes me cringe. The difference is that CYE quickly gets to the point, jabbing it in repeatedly so that it's inescapable, if painful. Enlightened is simply not making its point in any way that can hook a viewer in 20 minutes (make that 40, now that I've been completely irritated by the ending of the 2nd episode). I watched the second episode hoping it would find its focus but, despite a growing cast of "carnival freaks" (a very funny line), I still didn't feel the satisfaction of understanding what their angle is. There was some good stuff in episode 2, but maybe the real problem is the horrible, pointless "bliss" endings tacked onto both episodes. What a waste of dramatic space. I was looking for some meaning to draw it together, and got nuthin.
Laura Dern's character is full-on nuts, and not in a good way. The character is completely repellent and impossible to relate to (even though I am also a somewhat off-the-wall "seeker" who well understands that the road is filled with lots of ugly potholes). There seems to be nothing trustworthy or honest about her, so how can we care? As an example of a repellent character who never fails to fascinate even into his 8th season, Greg House has his audience in the palm of his hand -- because we see the line of authenticity. Why should we watch this marginal character Amy? By the end of the 2nd episode I should have known the answer to that question. But she's already been so insane I don't know how the writers could possibly bring her back to a believable place where she's worth watching, unless they put her on medication. (In episode 3, she's toned down, for the most part.)
The premise is intelligent: being "enlightened" is a worthy goal but no walk in the park. I really want to like this show, so I'm hanging in and feel rewarded by the latest episode. Some viewers may be put off by the clash of comedy with the deeply serious nature of Amy's quest, but in real life this stuff IS funny (while you make plans, God laughs) and the first two episodes really didn't seem to know how to pitch this, just throwing everything at the wall. Finally in episode 3, Laura Dern's character Amy becomes someone I can relate to, even if she's still just hanging on by her fingernails. I love Luke Wilson's scenes as her ex-husband, but he wasn't in the third episode, which is probably good for Amy's health. His character provides an excellent historical perspective on Amy, and scenes with her mother show honestly how parents can both be supportive and drive you crazy.
Bottom line: This is an original drama with a big cast of possibly fascinating characters. It's worth watching to see how these characters develop. However, it's a weird show and may not find an audience in time to avoid the axe.