afamaral Reviews

12 Monkeys (2015–2018)

Better Than I Feared and Worth Watching

[8/10 · 20 July 2015]

People who have watched the movie by Terry Gilliam already know this story. The premise of a time traveler returning to an earlier period to alter future events is not a new one within the realm of Science Fiction by any stretch of the imagination. What made the movie special was a combination of directorial vision, superb writing, excellent acting, and mood enhancing cinematography - all the requisite elements for delivering an engaging piece of dramatic fiction. It was a story told well with effective pacing which reached a satisfying conclusion within the span of one sitting.

My first thought upon learning this story was being re presented within a re-imagined version spanning an untold number of episodes throughout a television series was that I hoped they would be able to pad it with enough substance for it to maintain interest. We have already been witness to the far too many entertainment failures by many who have attempted to re-purpose completely self-contained short works into unsuitable formats. Video game adaptations are the first culprits which come to mind. The games themselves may have been engaging in an interactive format but fell miserably flat when translated into a passive medium. Doom is probably one of the best (or at least most popularly recognized) examples of this sort of effort. Some short stories by authors have been more successful than others, such as those penned by Stephen King - but I believe his work lends itself well to a visual interpretation.

Although there are examples of movies successfully translated into television series such as the two espionage shows based upon the character named "Nikita" (first embodied by Anne Parillaud); I don't recall any other efforts in porting a story as self-contained and complete as Twelve Monkeys (I am willing to stand corrected on this score). I wondered how they would manage maintaining suspense when we were already familiar with the broad strokes of the mystery. It struck me a like having read the end of a novel before starting at the beginning. I assumed the creative vision required to keep viewers in suspense necessitated altering that mystery in a significant way without diluting its punch.

In watching the first season, it became abundantly clear that it is an homage to the vision first circumscribed by Terry Gilliam. The creators and writers have clearly studied the source to such a degree they likely can recite every line spoken and describe with abundant detail every scene in the movie. Their efforts shine through and have paid off in a way to deliver an engaging story to audiences of this genre. People who struggle with continuity in a story that jumps about through various time periods where the past is often a future event, it can be a confusing effort in keeping track of a linear accounting of events and character progressions. Nonetheless, the writers and production staff succeed in their efforts to ensure clarity is provided through visual cues and references to leading events.

The production values remain true to the original vision in an albeit less foreboding tone but that sort of atmosphere can become too oppressive to want to experience it over the long haul of multiple seasons. The "whodunit aspect" of the mystery is delivered with a sufficient number and degree of twists to keep audiences guessing. It also a show which, due to its expansion over the original, allows for character exploration and development and this lends dimension beyond what we experienced within the movie version.

We are witness to evolving dynamics which change characters on a fundamental level and which lead to implications affecting outcomes. The entire structure of the story is altered by character developments and this approach successfully maintains its integrity as a mystery to be solved. Unlike the movie where the mystery is unraveled with a neat ending twist in one time period, the series ties together multiple time-lines to weave a web of interconnected intrigue from past, to present, to future. Each time it appears we have gotten closer to knowing who has been responsible for destroying human civilization and why, we are introduced to a new turn of events which shatter our illusions of certainty.

This short story however, having been subjected to an expansion well beyond its original intent does introduce moments when one becomes impatient for progress. I must admit though, that my own patience had been blurred by personal events which made it difficult for me to maintain my degree of engagement on a weekly basis. As I have become jaded by the experience of weekly doses of entertainment in favour of binge watching, I would recommend one set aside the requisite time to experience this series in this manner to achieve maximum enjoyment.

I do recommend watching the movie first - if you have not already, but that perhaps might be because it's my own frame of reference. I do believe though, that there are a sufficient number and degree of differences between the movie and the serial to preclude boredom. I believe the movie offers a conceptual point of entry into the series which adds dimension to questions about where the story will lead. I also think that one can find themselves more easily lost in tracking events within the series well enough to follow along without losing interest in discovering where its destination may lead.

The production values are solid, the writing is creative and clever, and the characters are well cast, acted, and scripted (with some familiar faces from the most recent Nikita series). (Most of the main characters from the movie have been preserved, but the choice of recasting Brad Pitt's exceptional portrayal of a psychotically disturbed individual in a significantly altered form was an excellent decision.) All in all; for fans of this genre, I believe it is a worthwhile piece of entertainment which can pique curiosity, interest, and empathy while satisfying one's appetite for action-oriented imaginative drama.

Breaking Bad (2008–2013)

A Masterpiece of Exploration into the Human Condition

[10/10 · 19 July 2015]

I, like many people, refused to watch "Breaking Bad" for the sole reason that I also erroneously believed it was a show about drug culture. What made it worse for me was that it was about what I believe to be worst of drug scourges in methamphetamines which proliferate within our underground to destroy so many lives. Having gone through own rebellious stages as a youth and experimenting with mind altering substances, I feel fortunate to have indulged in a time when artificial chemicals were not as prevalent as they are today.

I already had, through these early years, experienced enough of the subculture to recognize how the descriptive term of "seedy" is an understatement. It is a world rife with opportunistic exploitation and bereft of integrity in the pursuit of profit within a market so large, the challenge for players is no longer one of simple revenue generation but of market dominance often established through violent means. Few players can be considered to have evolved any appreciable measure of EQ.

I already had experienced enough of drug culture both in real life and in the sensationalized forms of fictional entertainment to believe I was no longer interested in being exposed to yet another example of either superficial glamorization or agenda bashing pedantry. I erroneously believed the premise of a high school teacher turning to the world of drugs due to economic conditions had already been done with "Weeds". (As much as I enjoyed some aspects of that show, it seemed to struggle between comedy and drama in a way which made it difficult for me to maintain faith as a viewer. I didn't want to find myself experiencing the same initial interest dwindling into an experience where I stopped caring about what was happening. Now that that show has completed its run, I may return to it in binge form - which might help me overcome the challenges it faced by being delivered on a weekly basis. I think some shows fail precisely because pacing is a challenge to maintain in storytelling when one must wait weeks or months to keep fresh the bond which exists between character and audience.) "Breaking Bad" didn't abate in either its popularity or in the zeal demonstrated by fans I encountered. Over the years of its run, it seemed as if fans were increasingly devoted toward gluing themselves to their seats as each episode was released. Eventually, I relented in the last year of its run and binged upon it with only a few months before its conclusion. I consider this perhaps one of the wisest television watching decisions I have ever made. I believe the experience of binge watching a show far transcends the experience of a weekly ceremonial because like a book, one can enjoy it from start to finish with fewer interruptions and far less lag between chapters. This freedom is what allows the mind to become absorbed by fiction in a way which transforms one's consciousness in ways unavailable to a weekly hour long ritual punctuated by distracting and often mind-numbing crass commercialism.

I believe the new format of releasing entire seasons at one go that some production companies have adopted is a thin entering wedge transforming television from being an "idiot box" to superficially satiate transient escapism needs and establish new heights on a bar of storytelling achievement. "Breaking Bad" is a show, which may have garnered a loyal following by being released on a weekly basis over years, but that is a testament to its exceptionally high degree of quality.

Watching it in binge fashion like I did was a transformative experience. As an audience member, one cannot help but to ponder the lessons learned from truly understanding how our choices shape both our reality and the person we become.

Walter White's initial decision to care for his family's future by turning toward drug production to mitigate the destabilizing effects of a career as a teacher shortened by the threat of death by the scourge of cancer was presented as a rational decision. This was a man who loved his family and whose sole desire to fulfill his economic responsibility as a father preparing their children with the requisites to create a successful future life for themselves, was an honourable goal. One empathized with his initial decision.

Throughout the course of this show's run, one perpetually finds oneself supporting his decisions even though many of the early ones resulted in consequences any conscientious human being would struggle with. The taking of a life for instance cannot be viewed as an acceptable outcome unless one's own life is threatened. For most people who encounter such a harsh reality, this is an anomalous experience. For those who traffic in the underground world of criminally generated profit, this is an unfortunately far from rare encounter. We may find this world abhorrent for this reason, but we accept the reality of its nature.

When we see a school teacher struggling to come to terms with this aspect of their choice, we support his actions on the basis of what has already been established as an honourable motivation. We rationalize the taking of a life as an unfortunate but necessary consequence.

What makes "Breaking Bad" unique however, is that we march headlong with Walter down the the slippery slope of diluted ethics to discover our empathy with the main character being transformed into revulsion. This is an experience which forces us to consider where, in the spectrum of acceptable standards of living, would we say "enough". At which point in our journey of devolving humanity do we stop and reclaim what we've allowed to erode within our spirit. No other show has ever so successfully challenged an audience on this deepest level of our own humanity.

"Breaking Bad" is a testament to storytelling which will survive as a beacon of quality for generations to come.

The Brink (2015)

Seriously Fun

[8/10 · 17 July 2015]

It has been an exceedingly rare quality in people I have met in my more than half century of life who do not enjoy laughing. Whenever I have met someone incapable of freely indulging in one of the healthiest of human expressions, I have experienced a deep sympathy for whatever it is inside them that has been so badly broken. I believe most emotionally healthy people feel similarly about those poor souls who cannot for the life of them, allow their polished and fragile veneer become softened by levity. I believe the sheer volume of comedies produced throughout the world of entertainment television stands as a testament to this fundamental human need to cope with a world so seemingly beyond reason.

Every season it seems we are presented with a plethora of choices to placate this critical bone in our anatomical coping mechanism. Every season we find almost all but a few of these attempts at tickling our spirits fade away into forgotten obscurity. Given the sheer number of comedy shows network stations churn through on an annual basis, one can only imagine how high the number is which comprises the sum total of efforts at succeeding in this venture. It is stunning to realize upon reflection, just how few actually succeed beyond mere survival as a viable production spanning years of business success.

Upon surveying the landscape of comedic offerings throughout the decades, one cannot help but be stunned by the shockingly rare few which manage to transcend transiently entertaining humor which placates our humour needs beyond the duration of its production run and survives as legendary comedy for decades. This is not to say that there have not been successes which continue to find new audiences through the churning of rerun programming, only that few of the many offerings stand as a testament to comedy greatness that are celebrated long after the creators and cast members have departed our plane of existence.

Sure, there are many clever offerings which embed themselves within niche market demographics to live on in the hearts of those for whom that show finds appeal. There exist an exceedingly sparse number however which manage to combine enough of a range of comedic elements to surprise and delight audiences across demographic boundaries. A show like M.A.S.H. for example, is the sort of comedy masterpiece which manages to remain relevant and funny long after the issues and sensibilities of the day spawned its creation.

I believe The Brink has managed within only a few episodes to demonstrate a potential to achieve this stratospheric class of legendary status. It serves up a delectable mix of both intelligent insight into the issues of our day while treating them with the sort of timeless irreverence that pushes an audience beyond mere chuckles and into rip roaring laughter. It is a combination of a critique into the sorry state of today's global political environment and the sort of zaniness which stops short of being tirelessly repetitive slapstick.

The large cast of characters comprise many well known stars who have entertained us with both laughter and heart-wrenching drama for decades. Perhaps it is this mix which adds to the dimension offered by the show but it never lets us as an audience, to wallow in the gravity of a premise based upon a widely expected and feared ultimate conflict between nations. The Brink is about a series of events occurring across the globe in a semi-stable, semi-democratic nation taken over by a coup which sets off a chain of events to threaten our world with a global war. No topic could be more serious to us a species struggling to establish a global form of social stability than this fundamental fear we all share. Not once however, are we as an audience concerned with the sheer volume of acts of stupidity engaged in by the various characters as they face crisis after crisis; and many due to their own ineptitude, negligence, or sheer myopic vision. We simply shake our heads and speculate on how remarkably accurate some of the scenes might be in rendering what feels otherwise like plausible scenarios - at least in the sense that the events themselves are credible. The reactions of and interactions between characters however represent a form of lunacy which could not occur in the manner they do if these were real people facing real life situations and I believe this contrast between deadly seriousness and cartoonish behaviour is what lends itself to a concoction of humour rife with potential for years to come. In some ways, this blend reminds me of the early years of M.A.S.H's run and its subject matter certainly does lend itself toward introducing moments of poignant gravity which we have yet to experience, and which I believe if done properly, can establish this show as a socially transformative masterpiece in a similar way.

I am certainly not looking forward to being hammered with an object lesson in the penitent state of our global politics because I am enjoying the feeling of laughing out loud to a comedy in ways I rarely have an opportunity to do. I do note however, that an unrelenting diet of insanity can overwhelm the senses in a way which makes the experience of being an audience member one that can begin to feel repetitive. I think we are far from being in danger of this happening because the stage has only begun being set in these first few episodes while the raunchiness has been steadily increased in a measured manner to leave much room at the top of the dial before breaking the red line into the danger zone of ridiculous.

Of all the comedic offerings I have seen and enjoy, this is the only one to grab my attention on the day of its release and leaves me panting for more.

Better Call Saul (2015–2022)

Another Tour De Force by Vince Gilligan

[9/10 · 16 July 2015]

This show is about a criminal lawyer but it is nothing like the umpteen other pieces of entertainment about the legal industry created for consumption throughout the decades. It is a testament to a depth of vision for the human condition which reinforces for us that Breaking Bad was not an anomalous success resulting from the efforts of one monkey in an infinite array of monkeys at typewriters. This is a product of genius where the human soul is plumbed to its depths.

Viewers of Breaking Bad will be familiar with the lead in Saul Goodman; albeit after his initial growing pains as an attorney and well into his questionable ethics. We meet Saul here, at the beginning of his journey into the legal profession and learn how and why he chose this route in life.

Although the series is entitled "Better Call Saul" and the main character as we were introduced to him in "Breaking Bad" is named "Saul Goodman"; here we are introduced to him during his humble beginning as a newly minted attorney named "Jimmy McGill". We meet his highly successful but even more eccentric older brother Chuck who, along with the dire straits his base aspirations have led him toward in life, inspires him to change his ways. Jimmy attempts to follow in his brother's footsteps while hoping he can eventually stand beside him and be viewed as a professional colleague whose success he aspires to emulate.

Jimmy's talents and history in the art of the con however introduce unforeseen barriers which force him into rely on those skills to carve out a similar but divergent career path for himself. As a viewer, one cannot help but to empathize with his various challenges; many of which are unwarranted difficulties faced due to his history. One cares for Jimmy because we see him struggling to make honourable decisions for himself while doggedly working and sacrificing to carve a career for himself. We see Jimmy rely on his established skills to accomplish goals and on his insight and ingenuity while ferreting out a career changing suit which benefits pension aged victims being exploited by an unethical service provider.

Throughout his investigation, we see Jimmy not only tirelessly working toward helping the victims he acts as a saviour for, he also contributes toward his brother's return to psychological well-being. Jimmy demonstrates care for his brother in a manner that siblings are due each other not only in reciprocation for assistance he received, but also because he genuinely loves and admires him. He faithfully cares for his brother's needs while demonstrating sensitivity to his brother's unique medical condition. His naturally scheming mind concocts a situation to coax his brother into recovering his health without being overt in the effort to help. Jimmy's sole desire for the devotion demonstrated toward his brother is to be regarded as someone whom although may have made flawed choices in past, was sincerely committed to becoming a better person. He unfortunately discovers his selflessness neither recognized nor reciprocated with any measure of consideration for his efforts; and as a viewer, one feels his pain when stung by betrayal.

Nevertheless, Jimmy soldiers on in his new career, even after temporarily "falling off the wagon" and revisiting his old life to remind him of what he could no longer be. Jimmy makes choices throughout this first season which has him questioning the value of adopting honourable ethics at the cost of creating economic hardship for himself. As viewers, we are left pondering if we would have made the same decisions ourselves, given the same opportunity and foresight for their consequences. As Vince Gill accomplished so well in "Breaking Bad" we are witness to life altering choices people make when faced with unique circumstances; and we are put into a position of questioning whether or not we would have made an honourable or self-serving choice. In this case of Jimmy McGill's life, the boundary between right and wrong is not quite so stark as the line crossed by Walter White in "Breaking Bad".

The genius of a series which serves as a prequel to another series rife with rich characters is the ability to resurrect them in their earlier forms as well. Fans of "Breaking Bad" will be delighted to see familiar faces in the form of his investigative partner as they first become acquainted, and in the form of radically psychopathic criminals like Tuco Salamanca.

Each of the characters we are introduced to in this first season offer equal measures of engaging uniqueness and emotional depth as the characters created for "Breaking Bad". In this case however, we are given greater insight into depths only hinted at within their subsequent adventures. We learned to like his investigator friend Mike for instance, but here we are given reasons why. We are introduced to him as a human being whom has also endured great pain and great change in his life while developing an appreciation and respect for his own unique talents. We are introduced to Mike's history and the means by which he and Saul become acquainted in at first an almost adversarial relationship that evolves from aloofness displayed by Mike to someone who learns to see the good qualities within Jimmy struggling to assert them in a world which beats those qualities out of people who struggle to merely survive. Having compromised on his own ethics as a police officer and witnessing the devastating effects his own choices had on his family, Mike evolve an ethic transcending the letter of the law while violating it. As viewers, we cheer for him as he reclaims justice on behalf a system corrupted by those who betray it.

If this show is given the same latitude as its creator's predecessor, it stands to become as much of a phenomenon worth every moment spent watching it.

Orphan Black (2013–2017)

One of the Best Actors on Television Today - By Far

[9/10 · 16 July 2015]

Imagine if one day you discovered you weren't really you, but a copy of another, original you. This is what Sarah Manning discovered one fateful day when she watched a mirror image of herself commit suicide right in front of her stunned eyes. (This information would be a spoiler were it not literally the first scene in this series which opens a door to encourage one's curiosity into further exploration. Note I did not reveal the means of suicide committed by Elizabeth Childs; which on its own is a chilling shock to awaken a viewer into preparation for what is to come.) Sarah's own life being led as one of a despair-laden existence on the streets, she managed to extract enough presence of mind from her shock to retrieve her duplicate's belongings while they remained behind as a fresh testament to the mystery of a seeming doppelgänger's existence.

Soon afterward, Sarah found herself living another life which quickly unravelled her own perception of herself as a unique being. She found herself embroiled within a rapidly deepening mystery of her origins and discovering facets of her life which changed everything about her self-perception and her perceptions of the world she had come to know.

Having lived on the streets, Sarah Manning found the resourcefulness such a life taught her to become her most useful survival skill as a pawn in games of power she soon learned extended far beyond the mystery she first encountered.

Orphan Black has recently completed its third season (by the time of this writing), and the roller coaster ride one takes as a viewer never lets up as numerous mysteries upon mysteries are both revealed and deepened with an endless thrill ride of plot twists and developments of characters who often are not what they initially appear to be.

The series is worth watching alone however, for the acting chops of Tatiana Maslany as she demonstrates an incredible facility with her slipping into a diversity of roles representing each of the many copies of her character. The range she demonstrates in her ability to represent uniquely individual beings, each of whom are clearly distinct from one another is initially stunning to a viewer who easily forgets they are all portrayed by one actor performing an incredible feat of thespian fluidity. From the streetwise Sarah Manning, to the fanatic assassin Helena, to the hypersensitive soccer mom Alison Hendrix, to the subdued personality of a lesbian scientist named Cosima Niehaus, to the coldly calculating Rachel Duncan, one is only reminded of these uniquely complex people being played by a single person only upon close inspection of telltale facial characteristics, and even then, one often does a double-take to ensure it actually is the same actor.

Tatiana Maslany easily deserves to be awarded an Emmy for her accomplished portrayal of a diverse cast of characters, and likely would have been awarded this honour by now had this series not been cheapened by the disparaging perception of its science fiction genre.

Throughout the three seasons which have already aired, this show has also evolved as a complete and self-contained storyline which does not become debased by descending into serial television. The creators and writers of this series have a plan and it is revealed through an arc which has only barely begun to achieve an apex in its crescendo. The thrill ride of conspiracy wends and winds back upon itself in a series of continuous surprises to form a tapestry of a world which does not appear implausible with today's technology, or today's business ethos and propensity for materially motivated espionage.

The most remarkable aspect of this series however, is not a continuous drumbeat of tension, but how it is broken up by episodes which makes one feel as if they are watching a sitcom. The pacing is steady and proceeds quickly along an identifiable track while allowing each episode to be enjoyed on its own by viewers who have not been introduced to it from the beginning. Tuning in part way into a season does not leave one abandoned with a frustration of not knowing what has come before which interferes with the ability to enjoy an episode. One can easily pick up on the broad strokes and join the ride at any point and still feel motivated to watch the series in its entirety from the beginning. Each of the characters in the supporting cast are equally diverse in their personalities while each being completely engaging in the roles they play as they team up to assist Sarah in her efforts to both unravel the mystery she has been embroiled within by the circumstance of her birth, and to survive her discoveries of truths within truths like they were embedded within a Russian doll.

The dynamics of interchange between each of the characters grows into an extended family as they learn to rely upon each other to juggle both surviving their frantic overlapping existences and to attempt maintaining some semblance of stability they had each established prior to becoming conscripted into multifaceted roles as detectives and people who previously had grown accustomed to familiar lives.

Tatiana excels in her portrayal of a diversity of characters but each supporting member has been wonderfully cast to proficiently represent colourful characters of delightful interest in their own right. Each actor adds equal elements of drama and levity during moments when such traits add to the enjoyment of a story being told in a polished manner which does not become stale like much of the fare produced by bloated production studios. Orphan Black is an entertaining romp which will compel you to bite your nails in one scene while bursting out into raucous laughter the next. I hope this series has been planned for a story spanning several more years because I will certainly make a point of staying for the duration of the ride; and I recommend you try it out, too.

Mr. Robot (2015–2019)

The Most Unique Main Character since House

[9/10 · 15 July 2015]

Admit it now, you have private conversations with an invisible audience. When you compose your thoughts in your mind, you imagine someone listening to your unspoken words and responds to them with an intimate understanding of their meaning. You offer observations, insights, and explanations which serve as rationalizations of your perspective. You may even imagine silent nods of approval, or perhaps questioning glances of dubious thoughts but you persist in this activity because it helps to find clarity within a mind rife with chaotic thoughts that struggle to establish an arrangement of peaceful order and empower your future actions.

Elliot is such a character who engages in this manner with you as a viewer and whose obvious genius is expressed within the arcane world of computer programming and the obtusely revered field of hacking. His skills are demonstrated within the plot as being far superior to most of his colleagues but also in such a stratospheric realm that he is recruited by an elite group of dissident hackers to perform a function vital to their socially disruptive goals.

What has been emerging within the world of entertainment as a stereotype of genius is an accompanying lack of social skills. Doctor House is perhaps the first most successful example of someone possessing an advanced degree of expertise within their field yet being completely inept in their interactions with others in social settings. Doctor Temperance Brennan of "Bones" is another example of such disparity between academic genius and social ineptitude. Each of them is an exceptionally capable and uniquely engaging individual offering viewers an opportunity to both admire their talents and sympathize with their shortcomings. Elliot is the same in this regard but stands apart as a truly unique individual in a manner which emphasizes the nature of such a unique breed of human.

Rami Malek delivers his role with convincing aplomb in a manner which implies his own uniqueness as a being whose profession happens to be an actor. He embodies the role with such naturally awkward grace that I believe he truly does have difficulties connecting with people in real life. Of course, such a well constructed character is formed from far more than acting chops and it is here where the writers deliver their punches.

This story told through the eyes of a misfit is a treat for every thinking human being who questions the rationale of a society burning in turmoil over the many forms of inequity existing in our world today. Especially pleasing to someone such as myself who has become acquainted enough with the world of computer technology to recognize with painful awareness how rare deep insight exists within the world of entertainment fiction which does justice to its representation. The writers have done their homework here. Few outside the world of computer technology could identify what Linux is or what it represents, but the writers go deeper than making a vague reference to a geek's choice of operating system and identify its various flavours in passing conversation. I don't recall any other piece of television or movie entertainment which delves deep enough to identify a relevancy such as a ".dat" file, but the writers here do so in a way which does not alienate a neophyte with obtuse references and instead adds layers of credible dimension to their storytelling.

To my delight as a socially conscious artist, the depth does not end at computer technology but enters deep into the realm of social commentary in a manner which is both insightful and entertaining critique. It is lush with subtle imagery which makes one question whether the company referred to as "Evil Corp" is the actual name of the company or just an extension of the perceptions of the main character of Elliot. Within every scene witnessed through his eyes is a subtle overlay of his perceptions of a world he struggles to inhabit with some degree of normalcy. His drug addiction is measured in precise doses to ensure maximum control over it instead of allowing it to rule his existence.

Although Elliot serves as the story centerpiece, the series is titled after not an actual character, but of a badge worn on the disguise of a uniform worn by Christian Slater who performs in the role of antagonistic recruiter for an underground cause of socioeconomic disruption targeting the major client of Eliot's employer. Christian demonstrates both comfort and joy in a role suited to what I imagine his personality to be like in real life. The rest of the cast of characters has been treated with detail which hints of future developments. Each has been constructed with attention to the subtle details of personality, intelligence, and character hinting at interesting developments to bubble up in future episodes.

This series is unfortunately being delivered painfully in weekly releases when each episode would be better watched back to back in an extended binge session. Nevertheless, it comprises one of my few weekly must watch programs which excite me on the day of each new episode release. The richness of story depth, the subtlety of scene detail, the intelligence of social critique, the insightful exposition upon the human condition, the nuance of character, and the implications of an unfolding conspiracy which promises to surprise as it unravels keeps me glued to a weekly schedule. Although only four episodes have been released thus far, it is a series which easily captured my attention within the first episode and which has offered a degree of entertainment that promises to keep me glued until what I expect will be a satisfying and likely gripping season finale.

Daredevil (2015–2018)

Best Comic Adaptation to Date

[9/10 · 15 July 2015]

"If it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage."

Daredevil represents in my view, perhaps the best comic book adaptation done to date; and it accomplishes that task spectacularly because it doesn't try to be a comic book adaptation. It is what Stan Lee himself would often use as a description of his writing, "a good yarn." The best stories are always about people because that's the nature of an engaging story. As much as our imaginations love to be titillated by scenic backdrops, or engrossed by thrilling action, or inspired by courageous acts, or engaged by surprising plot twists, none of those techniques capture an audience's empathy and attention if the characters do not feel real. We, as audience members, want to understand what it feels like to face and overcome insurmountable odds. Whether it is to reinforce latent desires or to overcome trying circumstances, we are desperate for vicarious experiences which expand our view of the world and our view of ourselves. We want to know what life can be like when lived through the eyes, minds, and hearts of others; and it is the fulfillment of this essential need which empowers fiction to such a degree it pervades our society in the form of storytelling.

Having grown up with comic books as a means of escaping my own reality as a child, I had never before encountered such a rich depth of character as Vincent D'Onofrio embodied in his representation of Wilson Fisk. His remarkable representation of the complexity of a man who throughout the first season was an awakening to his own nature as a deeply flawed and psychopathic killer fulfilled the promise made by writers who truly represent the best of their craft. Upon watching the progression of his development throughout the entire first season told as a complete story, one cannot help but to be both empathetic and repulsed by a man who rose to power in the criminal underworld and who was referred to in the comic book version as "The Kingpin". (Not once was this trite appellation used in this series - not that I would have minded it because I believe it a title which does have a good sound-bite ring to it.)

Each of the characters in Daredevil has been lovingly rendered as fully fleshed human beings one can empathize with. Eldon Henson was a perfect choice to represent Matt Murdoch's convivial partner. He not only offered the comic relief a series as dark as this one needs to provide an audience with a necessary breath of air, he and his writers also offered a depth of character which elevated Foggy Nelson beyond the role of simple comic relief. I was very pleased to see Deborah Ann Woll chosen as Karen Page because I was already impressed with her acting chops as the character Jessica Hamby from the series "True Blood". The writers also elevated her role far beyond the treatment given her in the comic book world by empowering her with an investigative fighting spirit who rose above the "old school" feminine stereotype and responded to threats to her person in a realistic and life altering manner which was neither oversold nor undermined through diminished gravity.

I initially had difficulty accepting Charlie Cox as Matt Murdoch, but had already been groomed with decades of perception for who that person is. I found myself quickly becoming comfortable with Charlie as Matt and believe he truly did become Daredevil to me as the series progressed. I became attracted to what appear as his "likable characteristics in real life" and found they softened the brooding Matt Murdoch from comics in a way which increased my empathy. Charlie Cox delivered a nuanced performance which speaks to great potential as a leading man in his future career as an actor. I look forward to seeing him in other roles in future.

Of course, one cannot speak of Daredevil without two of the most interesting and integral characters of the mythology; the reporter Ben Urich, and Matt's teacher, "Stick". Vondie Curtis-Hall is an actor who has impressed me for years, and although his Ben Urich represents a departure from the comic book version, I loved this representation more than the source. Scott Glenn is an underrated acting legend who effortlessly delivered a solid representation of the brazen mentor, "Stick".

I waited the entire season to see the man in costume and the manner which that introduction was delayed added to the suspense while providing insight into how and why someone would dress up in costume to fight crime. I especially loved the character they chose to be responsible for creating that costume because it gives me something to look forward to in the next season. Without giving too much away, I am looking forward to how someone whom Daredevil befriended becomes an enemy in the guise of a character known in the comic book world as "The Gladiator". I look forward to their depiction of technology used to create a costume enabling the wearer to punch with spinning saw-blades.

I love that production companies like Netflix are releasing an entire season at once because I believe a good story is best experienced not when waiting weeks on end for it to unfold, but through binge watching. Daredevil is a story best experienced as a binge because it is a complete story unto itself which, when one allows oneself to become hooked by it, one is compelled to finish it up to the end. Even better, Daredevil is so rich with subtlety in its writing, cinematography, along small details and hints of a future to come, that it will bear re-watching. My only concern is that they set the bar so high with this first season that I am afraid they will have difficulties maintaining this level of quality in subsequent seasons.

Sense8 (2015–2018)

It's a terrible series...

[9/10 · 27 June 2015]

It's a terrible series for the easily distracted and for those who can't or don't like to focus their attention on the details, or for those who are impatient for action. For anyone who can sit still and be attentive to the many subtle interactions, insight-filled writing, and beautiful cinematography, it pays off in a big way. It is not a show you can watch and appreciate with a divided attention. For those willing to invest their attention on the payoff of an engaging experience, it creeps into your consciousness and slowly grabs hold over time. It takes its time to convince you of its value and accomplishes that spectacularly by the end of the season.

The characters are rich, deep, and unique. The premise of 8 people finding themselves connected to strangers around the world is revealed in loving detail and with faith to each as individuals who grow into a family-like unit through the sharing of senses and experiences.

Its first episode will hint at things to come without saying much of anything beyond providing basic introductions to a group of 8. For those who want to see action while struggling to resist biting too much of their nails in the process, patience is required. Far too many shows dive right into action without allowing an audience to become emotionally invested in either the character or the outcome. (This was my biggest gripe with the Wachowski's recent effort of Jupiter Ascending; too much action and too little interest in whether the characters will weather their storm or not.) In this case with Sense8, one (relatively) quickly becomes attached to each of the characters as unique beings; even those who represent perhaps lifestyles some may have difficulties with. We are introduced to a new world which is both vast and small by these characters representing a diversity of cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs. By halfway through the season, these are fully fleshed out and real people that one empathizes with, laughs at and with, shrinks from and cries and cheers for.

Since many years long series often rush to tell their story, they leave little but scrambling to make up for that impatience by inventing new story lines using the same characters. This series appears to be written as a completely contained story with a years-long arc. So much is merely hinted at throughout the first season which introduces numerous theories about what will be revealed in subsequent seasons that if given the opportunity to deliver it in a complete form to maintain its integrity such as with Breaking Bad, it has the potential to become a phenomenon.

The catch however, is that it isn't for the impatient or the easily distracted. For those audience members, I would suggest waiting until the entire series has completed its run and then experience what I expect will be a very rewarding binge watching experience. As it stands, binge watching the first season alone I believe will hook many and convince some of the impatient who can focus their attentions for brief bursts that it is a worthwhile experience. In my opinion, it is one of those rare treats which beg re-watching.