We liked FOOL ME ONCE a bit more than the IMDBers who hated it. Here's the thing: I love wings, as in 10. I cant eat 25. FOOL ME is 8 episodes-probably 4 too long. I have watched the occasional 8-part mystery that was so compelling, I would have watched 40! But these Harlan Corbin suspense things? Not so much. You can deal with a bit of 'filler'-episodes that are 70% filler are tedious. Not that the acting, or cinematography are poor--these items are quite decent. Doesn't help, though, if you are filming paint as it dries.
I wanted to compare this series to the excellent BRIT series KAREN PIRIE (3-parter), also a suspense series: in FOOL ME, a military wife investigates 2 suspicious family deaths. PIRIE is about a 25-yr old cold case (Rosie, a 19-yr old barmaid) assigned to a youngish DS. In the first episode, we see several plot developments, including a hit-and-run murder of a key witness, and the fact that Rosie had a child out of wedlock at age 16, subject child still alive, dad unknown. We are rolling! FOOL ME meanders about for 4 episodes, introducing so-called suspects and red herrings. The big hook is that the dead husband is seen by his widow on a nanny-cam. After 4 chapters, I am trying skipping to Ep.7 (I tried this successfully with other 'bulky' shows. Guess what? It works!)
6/10 barely: for some interesting moments, and some cute kids, and a pretty protagonist.
Bit of language, no skin so far! Tnx, Netflix for releasing all episodes for binge viewing!
Update Jan 27/24
Ok.. finished series. I want to downgrade to 4. No spoilers, but I cannot abide the horrendous script defects (see below). Another problem: in the end, NONE of the major characters were likeable! I make reference to THE FUGITIVE below: recall how much we liked the Richard Kimble character? He is brave, resourceful, dutiful (he risks capture by helping a kid in Emerg get into surgery). This series: Fool me Once? 'Hope I never see you again' is better title.
1) Maya determines that her husband (part of the wealthy Burkette family) was involved in some nasty things, possibly murder, and covering up the negative results of drug trials of interest to the Burkettes. Hold on-that ploy was used 3 decades ago in the FUGITIVE remake, with Harrison Ford. In a nutshell: huge drug companies release a new 'miracle drug' that bombs during testing. Company then hides the test results to ensure the drug goes to market. Greed, corruption for sure! Problem is: if the drug is bad, eventually, you get caught, and then sued, and then nailed for bribery, etc. In reality, big companies want to market QUALITY drugs that will earn big profits and NOT kill people. Why? Because they make more millions that way, and no one goes to jail. (Maybe, in other ways, they are cold & ruthless). This plot device is thin-and worn.
MINI-SPOILER 2) In the reveal, Maya (a tough, deadly shot herself) outwits a killer by removing the bullets from THEIR gun-then, returning fire. Another plot hole: experienced gunmen KNOW when a revolver is empty (they know by the weight). There are other ways to construct a scene like this, while crediting the audience with an IQ above the average water temperature.
I haven't read the novel, but, if Harlan is writing flimsy plot devices like these, it's time to re-evaluate his output, and take a night school course on mystery writing at the local community college.
I wanted to compare this series to the excellent BRIT series KAREN PIRIE (3-parter), also a suspense series: in FOOL ME, a military wife investigates 2 suspicious family deaths. PIRIE is about a 25-yr old cold case (Rosie, a 19-yr old barmaid) assigned to a youngish DS. In the first episode, we see several plot developments, including a hit-and-run murder of a key witness, and the fact that Rosie had a child out of wedlock at age 16, subject child still alive, dad unknown. We are rolling! FOOL ME meanders about for 4 episodes, introducing so-called suspects and red herrings. The big hook is that the dead husband is seen by his widow on a nanny-cam. After 4 chapters, I am trying skipping to Ep.7 (I tried this successfully with other 'bulky' shows. Guess what? It works!)
6/10 barely: for some interesting moments, and some cute kids, and a pretty protagonist.
Bit of language, no skin so far! Tnx, Netflix for releasing all episodes for binge viewing!
Update Jan 27/24
Ok.. finished series. I want to downgrade to 4. No spoilers, but I cannot abide the horrendous script defects (see below). Another problem: in the end, NONE of the major characters were likeable! I make reference to THE FUGITIVE below: recall how much we liked the Richard Kimble character? He is brave, resourceful, dutiful (he risks capture by helping a kid in Emerg get into surgery). This series: Fool me Once? 'Hope I never see you again' is better title.
1) Maya determines that her husband (part of the wealthy Burkette family) was involved in some nasty things, possibly murder, and covering up the negative results of drug trials of interest to the Burkettes. Hold on-that ploy was used 3 decades ago in the FUGITIVE remake, with Harrison Ford. In a nutshell: huge drug companies release a new 'miracle drug' that bombs during testing. Company then hides the test results to ensure the drug goes to market. Greed, corruption for sure! Problem is: if the drug is bad, eventually, you get caught, and then sued, and then nailed for bribery, etc. In reality, big companies want to market QUALITY drugs that will earn big profits and NOT kill people. Why? Because they make more millions that way, and no one goes to jail. (Maybe, in other ways, they are cold & ruthless). This plot device is thin-and worn.
MINI-SPOILER 2) In the reveal, Maya (a tough, deadly shot herself) outwits a killer by removing the bullets from THEIR gun-then, returning fire. Another plot hole: experienced gunmen KNOW when a revolver is empty (they know by the weight). There are other ways to construct a scene like this, while crediting the audience with an IQ above the average water temperature.
I haven't read the novel, but, if Harlan is writing flimsy plot devices like these, it's time to re-evaluate his output, and take a night school course on mystery writing at the local community college.