After a group of people, who meet online, discover a bizarre graphic novel which seems to hold mysterious answers, they find themselves being tracked down by a merciless organization known merely as ‘The Network’.
This show came out in 2013 and I am only now catching up to it. Not out of some kind of nostalgia but it came highly recommended and strong word of mouth suggestions.
Not the easiest show to find in the United States, but after having a few clips served from YouTube it wetted my appetite to watch the show. I’m glad it did, as it serves as another show that is international and great but if in America really have to search and try to find it.
Unfortunately it wasn’t quite popular enough in the U.K, and was canceled swiftly after two seasons. Where as there is much room left for it’s continuance. it also has has a kind of ending all it’s own. Where it seems to have painted itself into a corner. Though it did develop a cult audience. It was supposed to be remade for HBO by Director David Fincher (THE SOCIAL NETWORK) but once they saw the price tag of $90 million they decided to kill it. Now Writer Gillian Flynn (GONE GIRL) who was attached before, has decided to once again try to bing it to american screens through Amazon Prime.
Now I know when I like something I go overboard but this you have to see to believe. It’s a show to go best into blind. I will try to discuss and not spoil anything or too much. Just know I am a fan of the show.
Each episode seems to start with an open ring scene of wonder. That leaves you to follow. It’s a show that is cold and confident in it’s intricate construction.
This show is a conspiracy theorist dream. There are so any shows this is in the vein of but manages to come off as it’s own (ORPHAN BLACK, THE LONE GUNMEN, LOST) shows that you have to watch and pay attention to as each new installment get’s your mind working and your imagination into overdrive trying to figure things out and connect them.
It offers answers but still surprise after surprise each episode. As it draws you in continuously. And never can quite figure it out. It stays shocking at every turn yet you. Never get used to it. No matter how constantly or routine it may become.
The show has sharp visuals with a strong strange color coded mix with right direction and angles and shots that look like paintings. They are that sumptuous and stimulating that you can’t look away and marvel as the episodes go by so quickly.
One can see why filmmaker David Fincher (GONE GIRL, PANIC ROOM, MIND HUNTER, SEVEN) wanted to bring it to remake it for american television. As it seems like the type of show he would create. So meticulous and dark. His style of filmmaking is perfect for it. The only thing that stopped it was it was deemed too expensive so he moved on to MIND HUNTER and HOUSE OF CARDS. Now it is set to be brought to American television written by Gillian Flynn (SHARP OBJECTS, GONE GIRL)
On this show emotion is a weakness but can be used as commodity in the right situation. Especially in the realistic cruel world controlled by so many forces in power that it makes the characters continuously pawns in a bigger game.
The show stays increasingly violent and darkly humorous. So much so that he show something new seems like a comic book brought to life only with real world stakes and consequences. Though stays quickly paced.
The show has tension in almost every scene. So much it reminds you of movies like THE GAME.
Like the television show FREAKS & GEEKS this series has a tight 12 episodes that counted as two seasons and none of them are duds. So it has a perfect run. Even if by the end you still want more, but ends tying up some ends.
Some of the coolest characters. Each seems to represent an idea or action that the audience watching would naturally have.
Like a virus no matter what the characters touch. They not only linger, leave dirty and infect but ruin leading to others death, even innocently.
Each scene reeks or drips with suspense, mystery and worry. Added in with some kind of addictive exciting dread.
The show and it’s creators are downright ruthless and cold hearted. While they try to offer a glimmer of hope. No one is safe fates and allegiances seems to twist all the time.
This comes off more as a serious graphic novel.
In a perfect world females would be dressing up as Jessica Hyde for conventions and Halloween. She would be an iconic female genre character and a household name just as Sarah, Cosmina and the other clones from ORPHAN BLACK ) just to name a few other than seven from STRANGER THINGS) I am also sure there would be some Lee’s, Arby and Wilson’s running around.
The show keeps exploring big challenges or belief and morals for the greater good. Where after a certain point your soul is sealed as your fate gets closer.
Though I can admit towards the end it seems like some characters have worn out their use and are just there. As there never seems to be a way out. As the characters are constantly drawn down one rabbit hole after another. While they seem to lose everything.
It all feels like a game as the characters and you find yourself taking chances betting on who will survive. Who will be the key to figuring out the next puzzle.
The show feels organic. As it constantly has to raise the stakes, but the story not series ever feels forced. As it seems to make another clever move as it goes along and gets to the end. As the characters keep moving around like game pieces who are constantly born again, as they lose control of their lives and develop new identities and skills they never knew they had and being played with by those in power who seem to run most
Ciao for now
Cut To The Chase 