philipposx-12290 Reviews

Silicon Valley: RussFest (2019) Season 6, Episode 6

Excellent episode and top notch quality from everyone involved.

[3 December 2019]

This is a genuinely terrific SV episode, up there with the best stuff from Season 2 to Season 4. Jian Yang is back and has some really memorable and funny moments. For a moment I thought they brought back Erlich but it was revealed that it was just a chinese version of him. Gilfoyle and Dinesh have some funny banter once again, with Son Anton Version 2.0 being a highlight. Richards freakout was great and one of his best moments in the entire show. Even the side characters like Gabe get their funny moments. Yet obviously, it was Chris Diamantopoulos Russ Hanneman who stole the entire episode. He is honestly one of the finest side characters in any HBO show.

One episode left, and we're going to miss the show!

Silicon Valley: Tethics (2019) Season 6, Episode 5

The return of Russ!

[25 November 2019]

There are many funny SV side characters but No one is anywhere close to the level of Chris Diamantopoulos' Russ. Russ fest is coming and it's going to be glorious. He steals every scene he's in.

Otherwise the episode does contain a few funny side plots like the Dinesh & Gabe banter, Gilfoyle's & Monica's story about there workplace scores or the psychopathic Jared intimidating. The major part is Gavin Belsons supposedly heartfelt resignation. But it's just another way of dumping Richard and wanting to screw him over.

Silicon Valley is going into its last 2 episodes and I'm ready!

Rick and Morty: The Old Man and the Seat (2019) Season 4, Episode 2

Solid if a bit forgettable.

[18 November 2019]

The Season premiere was an absolutely great Rick and Morty episode. Not a show classic like S2E4, S3E1 or S3E7 but a very funny & uniquely inventive 20 minutes of television reintroducing us back into the world. The second episode, while still fun, is admittedly a step back and probably one of the more forgettable R&M episodes. The two plots, Ricks toilet & the Morty/Jerry adventure would be fine if they were subplots of an episode but neither one of them is good enough to actually highlight an episode. There are a couple of fun easter eggs here and there, and a cool if repetitive character moment for Rick, but not much more. Hopefully next week is going to be more meaningful!

Silicon Valley: Maximizing Alphaness (2019) Season 6, Episode 4

Both funny & sad, Silicon Valley's latest season continues to impress!

[18 November 2019]

This is another really good SV episode. Not on par with the shows peak around S2-3/4, but still. The most interesting aspect of this episode was Jareds story and how his parents are so unloving of him. It's genuinely heartbreaking as they talk to him and reveal all their different other children. Arguably the shows darkest scene up to date. As for other subplots Monica & Laurie share some scenes together but the whole thing is pretty forgettable. Gilfoyle and legendary Hooli employee John share some really funny moments together, and I'm wondering why it took 6 seasons to actually have these characters together in such a scene. Another funny side plot is Gavin Belson trying to write his own book and then yet again being sucked into the world of tech once again. The main plot is also quite funny with Richard undergoing a trip for "Alphaness" which actually works out for him. Dinesh is occasionally sidelined but he still has 1/2 cool lines. The ending hopefully promises the same old dynamic we've come to expect from SV as we're slowly heading into the endgame!

Rick and Morty: Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat (2019) Season 4, Episode 1

Great premiere!

[11 November 2019]

This is not one of the shows strongest episodes and probably won't go down as one of the legendary ones like S2E4, S3E1 or S3E7, but it's a wonderful start for Rick and Morty's fourth season. The hype for this season was off the charts and the premiere delivered. It served as a great character episode for Morty, therefore sidelining Jerry, Summer or Beth (even though they got at least 1 or 2 cool scenes) and did a great job in executing its premise. At that point its pretty much re-introduction, with probably little effect on the over arching story of the show but I can't deny that it is, like the majority of the show: unique, inventive and extraordinarily funny!

Silicon Valley: Hooli Smokes! (2019) Season 6, Episode 3

Arguably the best Silicon Valley episode since Season 4.

[11 November 2019]

This did feel like classic Silicon Valley, yes, it still lacks TJ Miller, but it does the best job in still feeling like the peak f SV somewhere around S2-4. The Dinesh & Gilfoyle banter is arguably the shows biggest strength and it is one more time on display in this episode. We also have the obligatory villainy, and setting up a showdown in the future as Laurie & Maximo are the big bad right now. There's also some very fun interactions between Richard & Gavin which is also one of the shows strongest relationships. And lets not forget pokerface Terminator Jared. Over all, this is the best SV episode in years.

Silicon Valley: Artificial Lack of Intelligence (2019) Season 6, Episode 1

Let's jump into Silicon Valley's Last Season!

[28 October 2019]

This was a satisfying premiere through and through!

The best part in my opinion was the side plot with Gilfoyle & Dinesh, which will probably not matter in any way considering the main plot, but like so many other G&D subplots just works so well on a comedic level. Here Gilfoyle creates an artificial bot of himself to chat to Dinesh, who then asks Gilfoyle to built another bot who talks with Dinesh's annoying co-worker Gabe. It all comes crashing down in very funny fashion when the bots start talking to each other and the entire network breaks down.

Hooli is sizing down and currently I don't know where to head with Gavin Belson or what his role will be in the endgame. Though admittedly the scene with Hoover trying to intimidate the board was very funny.

The major print with Richard and his dilemma of one of his employees collecting data through headsets is important, though not entirely funny and I hope that it does get expanded with more humor in the episodes to come.

The story of Jared feels quite sad and nostalgic though. The last sequence could've honestly been a series finale sequence. Jared is back where he started, in the incubator, with Jian Yang & Bighead. Everything seems so small and contained, but also nice and scaled. I think we're probably preparing for some emotional gut wrench in the relationship of Richard & Jared.

Over all, satisfying premiere, lets see where this goes in the following weeks! Russ has been shown in the "Weeks ahead" preview so I'm definitely pumped for him to pop up!

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)

A sad, small, quiet & ultimately satisfying resolution and farewell to Jesse Pinkman.

[11 October 2019]

I can understand if people are disappointed by this. In the last few months the hype for this movie has been outrageous. This is obviously no surprise, it is still a spin-off to arguably the most beloved television show of all time and deals with one of the fan favorite characters of it. So, maybe people are expecting heads to explode, meth to be cooked, automatic machine guns, train heists or stuff.

But I honestly am glad that El Camino is a small & quiet farewell. You might even say it is not really eventful. There isn't much action, there even isn't much dialogue. It focusses on low key moments and it perfectly uses flashbacks and new in-BrBa-footage to set up smaller plot points to follow.

Admittedly, there are still obviously scenes that make my Breaking Bad heart pound, I wouldn't call them fan service, but they achieved what fan service should achieve. And of course there are easter eggs to find in it.

Jesse is free, he finally is.

Point Blank (2019)

Anthony Mackie & Frank Grillo can't save this remake from feeling like a mediocre TV movie.

[12 July 2019]

There is one suspenseful sequence (around 15 minutes in) and its an elevator scene with Frank Grillo. Guess he really does like them.

Otherwise, this sounds, looks & breathes like a mediocre and forgettable TV movie at every front of its picture. It's not necessarily awful, just all around plain dull & unexciting. It's conspiracy is revealed through lazy exposition and essentially doesn't add up to thrilling climaxes. I guess the performances were mostly fine (the husband/wife bond was admittedly believable), but there really isn't anything memorable to be found in these 90 minutes.

It also does shift in tone becoming a weird gangster comedy down the finishing stretch. And wow, that female cop / conspiracy character was boring as hell. Over all, this does feel like most Netflix type movies, bland & forgettable.

Dark: Vom Suchen und Finden (2019) Season 2, Episode 5

Control vs. Choice - Is there a way out?

[26 June 2019]

For most Dark has made us step in the darkness. Then it revealed that time is a cycle. Meaning that everything that has happened, and everything that will happen is was and will always be predestined. There is no such thing as choice because every choice leads back to the cycle of time.

But now we must ask ourselves? Is there a way out? There possibly is. And it's going to be fckn interesting!

Dark: Die Reisenden (2019) Season 2, Episode 4

Honestly terrific

[25 June 2019]

Really, a point that German Television has probably never reached. It's intricately designed, structured & narrated. Dark is so engaging because it's packed with themes and still manages to be a compelling mindfck story filled with sharp characterizations and details. Control dominates over choice. In every single aspect. No one can do anything as everything is predetermined.

Terrific television and that ending may be the best thing Dark has done yet.

Game of Thrones: Winterfell (2019) Season 8, Episode 1

Here are Pros & Cons for the most awaited TV premiere ever

[15 April 2019]

We've reached the point. Game of Thrones Season 8. The Premiere. Here are some quick thoughts, pros and cons for it:

PROS:

+ The opening segment was brilliantly constructed. It built to suspenseful moments throughout and re introduced the characters with a bang. The arrival of Dany & Jon felt epic

+ The intrigue at Winterfell. It started with heartfelt emotions but it quickly evolved into some heavy intrigue and conflict, involving Sansa & Daenerys.

+ Jon rode a freaking dragon. Surprisingly enough the moment started comedic but ended terrific. The relationship is genuinely heartwarming.

+ Arya's reunions with Jon, and Gendry, and The Hound. It's great to have her character arc confronted with her past.

+ Great re introductions for Sam, Cersei & Bronn. Especially the intrigue for the latter.

+ Jon's disbelief in Sams message. It's going to be interesting even if I thought they wanted that moment to be bigger.

+ Night's Watch / Wildlings sequence. Very disturbing and horrific scene.

+ JAIMEEEEEE LANNIIISSSTERRRRRR (& Bran ?!?!)

CONS:

• We're past characters like Theon now. The Segment of him and his sister is boring, lazily written and over done. There was no punch at all in there.

• It's weird that Sam cried when the message was delivered. I know they are his family, but there was never any sign of connection between them. It'll be like Tyrion crying if Cersei dies.

-- GREAT PREMIERE. There is a lot of teasing and stuff out for speculating, and there wasn't TOO much happening but it was a perfect re introduction of the characters.

Have fun the next 6 weeks!

High Flying Bird (2019)

A movie about basketball, with no basketball.

[8 February 2019]

There are obviously parts and scenes where you can see Steven Soderberghs technical virtuosity, the stale camera angles, or the slowly moving wide shots. It feels like a very professional movie, ironically shot on an iPhone. The acting itself also is quite convincing.

But I could not get anything out of this movie. It's a movie about basketball, that has no basketball in it. It has an idea but it does not have characters. You don't care about the characters because they simply aren't engaging. They don't have organic character arcs, or come to a satisfying conclusion. The script is fine, but mostly doesn't help the movie become compelling or interesting in any way. It just.. moves along.

There is one main message. Basketball leagues are controlled by white capitalists, although black people are the main players. The idea behind "beating" this game over the game may be interesting in itself. I left this movie with nothing, except the feeling of having seen some clever shots and some politics. But it should have been more of a documentary instead of a 90-minute drama.

Netflix movies are continuing to disappoint.

Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)

Big setback and disappointment. Pretentious and self-righteous without being convincing.

[1 February 2019]

Dan Gilroys newest picture, and most importantly second collaboration with the fantastic Jake Gyllenhaal, "Velvet Buzzsaw" is every much as unsatisfying and confused as it appears to be shiny and unique.

The satirical pieces, which take extremely long to set up, never work with the upcoming horror events - and the scenes of terror never seem to fully work under the context of the satirical bits. We're left with a movie that pretends to be clever, intellectual and satirical on art, but displays nothing but a lack of every aspect mentioned above. There are quite some parallels between this and Inarritus "Birdman" (2014), in which the movie is neither convincing nor impressing to justify the flashy and dazzling tone and sense of narrative. It misses substance, thought and precision to back up its ambition.

For the most part though, Gyllenhaal is great, as one would easily expect. And I can not fully degrade the supporting cast who don't seem to be doing anything terribly wrong. It's just as if all the characters have no real purpose besides their bizarre looks and the way they speak. No character has a serious arc, which is sad in this type of movie where it could have easily be portrayed throughout a leitmotif and theme of art. Everything just flows and flows into nearly two hours of badly paced dialogue, horror scenes and stylish art.

I must admit that some of the paintings and visual art looked really nice. The cinematography, and the editing (which was also done by director Gilroy) is not bad too. There is actually one shot that I remembered liking quite a bit. We are thrown into a family watching TV, until the camera moves top to reveal they are actually mannequins in a studio. The problem ultimately is that it's half style, no substance. The style does not tell its own story, neither do the characters. The plot is never explained and essentially only exists by coincidence and chance. "Velvet Buzzsaw" never feels forced, because it simply hasn't got any constitution for the premise. That's in a certain way even worse than feeling forced.

Netflix hit out another pretentious, unconvincing, flashy and "empty" movie, whose only saving graces are Jake Gyllenhaal and the editing.

4/10

The Third Man (1949)

A Timeless masterpiece about American optimism and Post-War Europe.

[30 January 2019]

Holly writes generic Western movies. American tales about good and evil, comfortable tales, with happy endings for forgettable enjoyment. When he sets up to visit and work for, then trying to investigate the death of an old friend, Harry Lime in Post-War Europe he finally gets to see the bigger picture.

The essential story of The Third Man is American optimism and the contrast of Post-War Europe, Vienna in this case. Arriving in Vienna, there are little to no friendly faces. He meets the alleged friends of Harry Lime. Kurtz, Dr Winkle & Popescu. All of them are shifty, vicious, uncontrolled, opportunistic, lying and corrupt people. Something that our protagonist is never quite able to grasp. The movie has been praised for its cinematography, but cinematography is nothing if it doesn't evoke some sort of emotion, some sort of over all tone and atmosphere. The setting, the irrigated streets and the crumbling buildings, the stylish noir lighting and completely inclined and oblique shots all tell us something about the city and it's people. Life is frustrating, crying for help, but drowning in existential fears. Nothing is optimistic, nothing expresses any sort of happiness. This is not only shown through cinematography but also by the characters behaving, and talking. Multiple names are swapped, mistaken. Our love angle Anna continuously mistakes Holly, for her lover Harry. Dr Winkle demands to be called "Winkel", and even our protagonist calls the police officer Collohan, instead of Calloway. Holly is never able to grasp the cynical mindset of Vienna. He is trusting, yet he is naive and weak.

Harry Lime has become a high profile criminal, his allies rule the black market. The police, divided into 4 nationalities, who are also never able to communicate with the people, are used to it, yet take too much time to do something against it. Harry Lime quotes: "You know what the fellow said: In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love--they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock." People need to suffer, for other people to succeed. He has no problem with that as long as he profits of it. Speaking of Harry Lime, he may have the most famous character introduction in the history of motion pictures. Now, we all know that Orson Welles will eventually show up and Harry Lime isn't dead after all, but his charisma is completely off-the-charts. From the slow built, the cat walk (with hint), Holly's anger, the sudden lighting, and that infamous smile, this has to be one of the most memorable moments in all of cinema. Orson Welles delivers such a strong, gripping and unique performance that he nearly, but only nearly, completely overshadows Joseph Cottons fantastic lead performance.

One of the key aspects of this movie is the tragic love of Holly for Anna, who will always love Harry, no matter if he cares or not. And he doesn't. Film-noir should always emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations, with a desperate male at its front and center. The Third Man is no exception. Throughout the movie Holly falls in love with Anna, but she can not give him the satisfaction. Holly fails to impress, and "win" Anna in the end because he keeps hold of his American optimism. I will get the lady if I help her, I will be the hero for shooting the bad guy. But this motive does not work on the large scale. Harry tells him "The world doesn't make any heroes outside of your stories." When Holly finally kills the wanted criminal he thinks he is the hero. But he isn't. Every attempt he has made to be the typical American hero is unforgivingly dismembered. In the end, he acts heroic and morally correct - and he loses everything; the one friend he had in life and the one love he thought he could have. I believe that last shot is a mad act of pure brilliance. The movie closes as it opens. At Harry Limes funeral, Holly and the police officer in the car, Hollys glance at Anna and his decision to say goodbye. The sequence is disturbingly long and immensely uncomfortable. Anna's unspeakable cynicism is the final thing we see.

The Third Man (1949) is arguably the greatest film-noir ever made. It's shifting layers, thought provoking themes, nuanced performances, countless set ups, confrontations and resolutions, as well as it's cinematography and depiction of tragedy are timeless.

5*

Kingdom (2019–2020)

S1: Great on style, okay on narrative, light on substance. But delivers unique and engaging action to a familiar concept!

[28 January 2019]

Netflix Kingdom is like a lot of Netflix shows. It has huge production value, more so than most of Netflix shows. The costume design, the practical effects and VFX for the zombies, all the details in Korean culture, the landscapes, the different colors et cetera. They all really feel like the show is taking you into that certain time.

The first 6 episodes were also really good in action, when delivering so. Also the last episode had some really slithering tension and really great built up, leading to a cliff hanger. Don't really know what to think of that, but I'll take it for now.

But it also falls for the same tropes of many Netflix original shows. First, it has some pacing issues. The 3 & 4th episode in particular feel practically only like retelling the second episode and in all these 3 episode the only thing happening is actually zombies killing people in villages. That leads to a dragging narrative for quite some time.

The other flaw I had with it where the lacking characterization of many characters. While it looked gorgeous on the surface, the substance wasn't always there to back up. It certainly touched on themes like royalty, treason & honor, but it never gave its 3-4 characters at center much time to fully come to life.

The acting & humor is very Asian-like, so you'd have to be prepared for some of these jokes, as the performances are very much like one would expect from a Korean production. But that's not really a flaw if you have your expectations.

If you really don't care about much substance, or explained depth narrative than the show is absolutely perfect. It's zombie action, put into a unique setting, with unique ideas and themes. I'm probably gonna check the second season out, so I'm curios what they are going to do after that cliffhanger.

6-7/10

Kingdom: Episode #1.6 (2019) Season 1, Episode 6

S1: Great on style, okay on narrative, light on substance. But a very unique and engaging idea for a familiar concept

[28 January 2019]

Netflix Kingdom is like a lot of Netflix shows. It has huge production value, more so than most of Netflix shows. The costume design, the practical effects and VFX for the zombies, all the details in Korean culture, the landscapes, the different colors et cetera. They all really feel like the show is taking you into that certain time.

The first 6 episodes were also really good in action, when delivering so. Also the last episode had some really slithering tension and really great built up, leading to a cliff hanger. Don't really know what to think of that, but I'll take it for now.

But it also falls for the same tropes of many Netflix original shows. First, it has some pacing issues. The 3 & 4th episode in particular feel practically only like retelling the second episode and in all these 3 episode the only thing happening is actually zombies killing people in villages. That leads to a dragging narrative for quite some time.

The other flaw I had with it where the lacking characterization of many characters. While it looked gorgeous on the surface, the substance wasn't always there to back up. It certainly touched on themes like royalty, treason & honor, but it never gave its 3-4 characters at center much time to fully come to life.

The acting & humor is very Asian-like, so you'd have to be prepared for some of these jokes, as the performances are very much like one would expect from a Korean production. But that's not really a flaw if you have your expectations.

If you really don't care about much substance, or explained depth narrative than the show is absolutely perfect. It's zombie action, put into a unique setting, with unique ideas and themes. I'm probably gonna check the second season out, so I'm curios what they are going to do after that cliffhanger.

True Detective: The Hour and the Day (2019) Season 3, Episode 4

Great episode that did not need that set up ending

[28 January 2019]

5 years ago, True Detective Season 1 delivered one of the finest episodes in Television history, Episode 4, "Who Goes There", and so every following TD season episode 4 has to somehow come close to it.

"The Hour and the Day" does not reach that level, of course not, but it is the best episode of the show so far. Mahershala Ali perfectly balances his character in all three lifespans, though the storyline of the oldest of his still comes across as a bit unclear and a bit unfocused, maybe we're gonna see more of that in the future. This episode spend a lot time on the relationship between him ad his wife, so we got to see them team up, arguing and having sex in a comedically relief scene.

Otherwise the episode also touched on racism, and in a way reverse racism as both detectives tried to infiltrate a house in a poor village. I'd say that the episode did not need that extra 7 minutes, and shouldn't have ended with a sort of cliffhanger, as the set up action did not need to be in this episode in particular. That's something True Detective has always avoided for good reason.

Still, that's kinda nit picky. This was the best episode of the show so far, even if a bit slow, but we're getting there!

Kingdom: Episode #1.5 (2019) Season 1, Episode 5

Best episode so far.

[27 January 2019]

The fifth episode of Kingdom finally brought many plot points together and connected everything to one storyline. It started with arguably the best action piece of the show so far, about 10 minutes of zombie with machete killing action. This was very well choreographed, had some real sense of danger and was also well shot.

I found, like in prior episodes, some of the acting to be a bit weird, but it didn't take me out. The last 5 minutes of the episode also promise well things for the finale as we finally saw some big changes being made.

Looking forward to episode 6.

Kingdom: Episode #1.4 (2019) Season 1, Episode 4

Still good, but we're not really moving forward

[26 January 2019]

We've come to the fourth episode of the new Korean Zombie series. It's sadly the point where things are getting a little bit repetitive, as most of the stuff happening we've already seen.

While the show looks gorgeous, has some sort of unique vibe to it and mostly exceeds in the zombie action, I still think it lacks depth in character and substance. Maybe it's my fault but I sometimes struggle to not mistake certain characters for others. It's missing a bit of substance as many plot points or directions are getting obvious to predict.

I still praise the last scene of the episode where we see the king as a full fleshed out zombie and then create a new main villain in the process. Otherwise I hope the next 2 episodes are a bit clearer, have a bit more focused direction and screenplay.

Polar (I) (2019)

Mads is great, everything else is tonally confused, overly brutalized and sexualized.

[26 January 2019]

The first word that comes to my mind when thinking of Polar is pornographic ultra-violence. Gore, sex, violence, then sex and violence combined, torture and so on.

If you are a fan of Mads Mikkelsen like I am you can surely give this one a try. The cinematography isn't to bad and Mads is great as usual.

Yet everything else is a tonally confused, over baked, undercooked, pretentious and insecure mess. It's editing is amateurish, its color grading and color palette looks so bizarre and out of place, its script follows no rules at all and no supporting character really has an "arch".

The movie can't decide wether it wants to be a dark serious thriller or a campy violent shoot em up opera. And it ends up being nothing of both. No serious scene works, and no pretentious dark humor joke works. It all just is "there".

I have to say it is another big disappointment of 2019. Give this one a try if you don't care about script, color grading, editing, basic direction and only want to see a brainless action, gore sex opera (in which case the movie isn't bad). 4-5/10

Kingdom: Episode #1.3 (2019) Season 1, Episode 3

Practically 30 minutes of The Walking Dead

[25 January 2019]

For the first three episodes Kingdom has basically what the trailer suggested and I anticipated. It's comparably thin on narrative, substance and characterization, though we now know 2/3 main characters and what there main focus is. But this episode mainly focused on action, on Zombie massacre.

I believe more than 3 quarters of the episode are without dialogue and just random. but surely well made scenes of the undead trying to bite & kill living people. It delivers some truly disturbing stuff, is shot with some really well made cinematography and over all has a certain sense of danger and dread. Hopefully we're going to see more after that specific ending!

Kingdom: Episode #1.2 (2019) Season 1, Episode 2

Continuing with the same atmosphere

[25 January 2019]

Where the pilot mainly teased the surreal stuff, we were fully blown into some Zombie action in the following episode. This episode has some sort of clearer structure where our characters are heading and delivered some good reveals. For example we finally got to see the king as a resurrected monster zombie, so he well is alive. Otherwise the episode once again looked really good, the show has some real stuff in terms of production design with all the costumes and clothing. It's a bit lacking in terms of personality, and the depth of its characters, but hey, it's a show about resurrected zombies in remote Korea, and as long as this has machetes & well, zombies, I'm fine with it. Looking forward to episode 3!

Kingdom: Episode #1.1 (2019) Season 1, Episode 1

Unique, dark and disturbing pilot. Even if slightly unclear.

[25 January 2019]

When the trailer for this Korean Zombie Horror TV series dropped, it immediately got my attention. And I must say with very good reason. The show has a very unique look and setting. It's placed in Korea, in a Samurai-like date and looks very well so in terms of clothing, costumes, houses and basically culture. The interesting thing about it is that I have rarely seen this type of "old era" horror and it is refreshing to see a "zombie" apocalypse settled in remote, rather then nowadays. The first episode offered some horrifying imagery (I suggest you to NOT eat while watching) and disturbing moments. It is definitely no "easy" show to swallow.

The only things that bothered me a bit was that I couldn't always tell one character from the other and therefore was confused sometimes. Hopefully this will be no problem in the following episodes when I get used to certain characters.

Otherwise this is a promising pilot that makes me hope we're going to see another 5 unique, dark, violent and disturbing episodes of Kingdom.

True Detective: The Big Never (2019) Season 3, Episode 3

S3E3 follows up with great quality and an ending that promises more for the future!

[22 January 2019]

So, we have arrived at episode 3 of the new Season and we're just now leaving many things open and creating some very interesting storylines that will hopefully have satisfying conclusions. The ending scene promises (hopefully) a bit more action and tension for the following episodes, if you remember, True Detective S1 started getting big in E4&5, so we're definitely in for a treat. Most importantly we're shown the influence that the case has, and had on Hays as he still struggles to remember and look back at it when he's 70 years old.

Mahershala Ali delivers a fantastic performance once again in all three life spans. The cinematography is gorgeously grey and stylish, the supporting characters work very well in the context of the show and we're now unravelling all the different mysteries of the case.

Looking forward to next week!