One way to do a show about tricky social issues is to proselytize about it quite a bit. This includes long speeches or continued hammering-home of messages. Another way is to create a show that is about so many more things than just the overriding message at hand that it is easy for viewers to find a way in and not feel fatigued by any constant sermonizing. "Unbelievable" takes strictly that latter approach and as a result is one of the overall best miniseries I've seen in quite some time.
For a basic overview, "Unbelievable" sees young woman Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), who has already been tossed around the foster care system, become a victim of a rape. In dealing with the police investigation, Marie is basically coerced (or at least heavily "led") to put on the record that she made the attack up. Fast-forward three years later, and to a different area of the country, and odd couple Detectives pairing Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Duvall (Merrit Wever) are investigating a string of rapes with the same M.O. as what was done to Marie.
Almost without a doubt, the highlight of this show is its ability to be so many different things and succeed at all of them. It is, in turn...
-A crushing story of how rape can mentally and physically destroy a person's psyche and body -A treatise on how investigators need to be careful to avoid victim-blaming and show sensitivity rather than bluntness -An excellent police procedural, as Duvall & Rasmussen leave no stone unturned in their rape investigations -A touching look at how police work can affect one's home life
Despite biting off all these different pieces, the combination is never more than the show runners can chew. Each of the above areas are given perfect screen-time and pacing. Plus, as I mentioned in the opening, never in this show are there any "turn to the camera speeches" moments or hammy dialogue. Very much a "show, not tell" approach to dealing with all these important topics.
The acting in "Unbelievable" also lives up to its name. Dever basically has the marketed corner and down-on-their-luck teen roles at this point, and Collette is always a strong presence. In many ways, though, Wever often steals the show. Her combination of police detective style but also very much being a "normal person" off the job is truly impressive. When I think back to the best scenes of this series, she is in most of them.
While the show was solid all the way through, the last couple of episodes (especially the finale) vault it into memorable territory. All the angles come together perfectly, and even the little character moments (finding out the origins of "Max the Knife", for instance) are wonderfully executed. I felt myself caring for these characters in a deep way, and that's no feat to scoff at have been executed over just 8 episodes.
Overall, "Unbelievable" is a series that will still with me for quite some time. Perhaps this is a personal trait, but I very much prefer shows that don't get too "preachy" (or dialogue or setup) and this one found that perfect niche. It expertly comments on major social issues while still managing to be supremely entertaining in its own right.
For a basic overview, "Unbelievable" sees young woman Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), who has already been tossed around the foster care system, become a victim of a rape. In dealing with the police investigation, Marie is basically coerced (or at least heavily "led") to put on the record that she made the attack up. Fast-forward three years later, and to a different area of the country, and odd couple Detectives pairing Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Duvall (Merrit Wever) are investigating a string of rapes with the same M.O. as what was done to Marie.
Almost without a doubt, the highlight of this show is its ability to be so many different things and succeed at all of them. It is, in turn...
-A crushing story of how rape can mentally and physically destroy a person's psyche and body -A treatise on how investigators need to be careful to avoid victim-blaming and show sensitivity rather than bluntness -An excellent police procedural, as Duvall & Rasmussen leave no stone unturned in their rape investigations -A touching look at how police work can affect one's home life
Despite biting off all these different pieces, the combination is never more than the show runners can chew. Each of the above areas are given perfect screen-time and pacing. Plus, as I mentioned in the opening, never in this show are there any "turn to the camera speeches" moments or hammy dialogue. Very much a "show, not tell" approach to dealing with all these important topics.
The acting in "Unbelievable" also lives up to its name. Dever basically has the marketed corner and down-on-their-luck teen roles at this point, and Collette is always a strong presence. In many ways, though, Wever often steals the show. Her combination of police detective style but also very much being a "normal person" off the job is truly impressive. When I think back to the best scenes of this series, she is in most of them.
While the show was solid all the way through, the last couple of episodes (especially the finale) vault it into memorable territory. All the angles come together perfectly, and even the little character moments (finding out the origins of "Max the Knife", for instance) are wonderfully executed. I felt myself caring for these characters in a deep way, and that's no feat to scoff at have been executed over just 8 episodes.
Overall, "Unbelievable" is a series that will still with me for quite some time. Perhaps this is a personal trait, but I very much prefer shows that don't get too "preachy" (or dialogue or setup) and this one found that perfect niche. It expertly comments on major social issues while still managing to be supremely entertaining in its own right.