First and Last (2018– ) User Reviews

Came for Garbage TV, Stayed for quality Docu-Series

[m-hertzler · 8/10 · 28 September 2018]

The title says it all. I was in the mood for some "turn your brain off" TV and clicked on the show and was very pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't just hyped up drama and false cliffhangers you get from cable reality TV.

In fact, this show is more akin to a documentary then reality TV. The cinematography is excellent. the show creators dive deep into their human subjects and extract real substance rather than just shallow drama.

Everything felt like it was done with care rather than just shock value.

Of course, the show still sticks to its premise and only follows people on their first few days and last few days which means you're not going to get the entire full picture of each individual represented.

But despite that you get a very flushed out snapshot of every inmate featured.

Definitely an interesting watch with A little bit of food for thought. Show could've gone a little deeper but I don't think you can really expect much more out of a prison TV show then this.

Decent Docu Series

[beakermccabe-57332 · 7/10 · 15 January 2019]

If you have watched one of the many other jail/prison series out there these days, you will have a decent idea what to expect from this series. The one thing I would say about this series is that they make everyone human. They don't glorify the prisoners, or bash them for their crimes. They make the guards more than just narrators for what goes on in the prison. Worth a watch if you like this type a show, better than most out there.

Not the best and Not the worst.

[roondogbb · 7/10 · 26 May 2019]

Honestly it's not my favourite prison documentary by a long stretch of the imagination. It's very stylised and has music playing over the different scenes and the cinematography doesn't suit this type of fly on the wall image it's probably trying to get at. also i prefer (personally) to see the lives of prisoners once they're in jail and have been living there for a long time. The process or arrival and leaving, honestly isn't as interesting as that. The inbetween stories which are lacking would have been more interesting. However with all that said its a half decent documentary to have playing in the background while doing something else.

Super accurate!

[dkillen · 10/10 · 14 November 2018]

I am a resident of Gwinnett county and have unfortunately seen the inside of the holding cell before. This series shows an accurate representation of the process and the pain that comes from breaking the law. I like that this show's goal isn't to bash the jail staff or the inmates, it's just a look into their lives. I've personally wondered what a day in jail is like and the social life between prisoners and officers and this show answered that without having to catch a charge.

Interesting and honest look at jail

[paulcastro-98939 · 9/10 · 20 September 2018]

This documentary series is a snapshot of the types of inmates that pass through the doors at Gwinnett County Jail. I've never been to jail and I found myself binge-watching a series. first and last even managed to change some of my preconceived notions about jail.

A worse version of 60 Days In

[cjpalmer-53855 · 3/10 · 3 May 2022]

60 Days in on its own isn't amazing, but it's an interesting look into prison with intriguing character development.

"First and Last" milks the least interesting exposition portions of 60 Days in and turns it into the entire series. Every episode is a different set of inmates so you can't follow the characters and their experiences. It doesn't show the life inside the prison, so it provides no insight into the life of an inmate.

I don't understand how this has any value over more in-depth shows like "Beyond Scared Straight" or "60 Days In"

Another prison documentary, well made.

[deloudelouvain · 8/10 · 7 November 2023]

First And Last is yet another prison documentary like there seem to be dozens of lately. To be honest I would watch them all as I find that entertaining television. Garbage tv to some and I get that but still entertaining nonetheless. This time it's about the Gwinnett County jail, another perfect example of the money making failing prison system in America. It's all about making as much money possible, arresting people for the most ridiculous things and trying them to post bail as soon as possible. I don't say some don't deserve to be there but certainly not all of them. Let just say if you're rich in America there is only a very tiny chance you will ever see the prison walls. Poor people on the contrary are just doomed to become one of the statistics of the overpopulated prisons. The documentary is well made, with good interviews from prisoners to prison staff. Rehabilitation isn't the priority of the American prison system. People will end up again in prison, it's just a vicious circle there, only a few will learn a lesson.

Well made

[bigfishjuan · 10/10 · 8 January 2019]

Not an easy watch, but well put together. They must have had at least one amazing editor. :)