It was madness indeed, but not the way the writers and creators wanted.
The reason I watched this short series is because Netflix offered it. I read the short description and said "Let's give it a try."
On a solo trip to the Poconos, writer and pundit Muncie Daniels meets a mysterious new neighbor - then finds him dead under shocking circumstances.
This time I trusted Netflix so much, I didn't even check the cast. In this regard I'm really flexible, I am not gunning for known and hyped actors, but rather give a chance to any actor as that's the only way to meet new talents. So I said I'll let myself be surprised if I discover known (to me) actors in the series. I didn't, but that's fine.
From the storyline you can see it offers you a good crime, drama, mystery, thriller, whatever you want to call it and I have to say, this series had the chance and the opportunity to be a great one, but it isn't, unfortunately.
The story is presented to us in one season, which is made of eight episodes (thank God!). The whole action could have been wrapped in for episodes, but for some reason I don't understand, the writers decided to drag it on through eight. It was a huge mistake and I bet they have lost half of the viewers halfway already. I was about to quit myself a few times, but then I said let's see the end as well and resisted heroically.
Making the series way too long was not the only mistake, so let's get on with it and see what I think about it.
Right at the beginning you get the shocking event, when Muncie Daniels, finds his neighbor's body by accident. Needless to say, his life will never be the same and that's where his problems started. What came after was a race, to find the truth and get his life back.
Muncie Daniels played by Colman Domingo, an actor I don't think I've ever seen playing and I like to keep it that way. Casting him in this role was a huge mistake and was painful to watch his acting. When you're playing in a thriller and you're the one chased and framed for things you haven't done, you get into all kinds of situations, so this role requires a set of acting skills Colman Domingo unfortunately doesn't have. It was a struggle watching the only stupid face he could make, which was looking stupid with his mouth open most of the times. I'm relying on my brain's delete or forget function to erase his image from my head. No offense Mr. Colman, I have nothing against you, but you should have chosen a different career and leave this to those who have the skills. At your age, you should already posses these skills. If not, then just walk away please.
The characters are weak, badly built up and most of them are just there to get their salaries as they don't add value to the series. However, there are two that I need to mention on the positive side. One, that was the best in my eyes is Gabrielle Graham playing Kallie, the daughter of Muncie Daniels. If there's something good about this series, it's her and her acting. The other was Tamsin Topolski playing Lucie Simon, but she had less screen time.
There were so many illogical situations and decisions made by the characters that can't even count them on my two hands. Now obviously it's easy to sit on the couch and judge it, but this was not real life, the script was written by someone so they should have thought about these.
To mention something positive as well, you get to see some nice landscapes too, if you can split your focus between the action, the bad acting, the stupid decisions and the view.
I see it has a 6.4 rating on IMDB, out of 10, which is pretty high for what it delivers. My rating is 4/10, or 40/100 as i can't give more on it.
Would I recommend it? Hell no!
Rating: 40/100
