With this episode this show is getting very interesting.
I'm only one episode in and typically I try not to judge a series before I've watched a number of episodes first. However, if the rest of this series is as good as the first episode, I think it's going to be a hell of a ride. Sam Esmail of Mr. Robot fame puts together some very interesting shots and there is lots of creative lens use, as well. In fact, the entire production team has done a fantastic job creating an atmosphere that helps to create the ongoing, brooding tension in this psych thriller. The cast's performances are all solid, but I was especially impressed with Stephan James' work. Bonus points in my book for an admirable long shot about 7:45 minutes in which is composed of two tracking shots with a pretty seamless hidden cut. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
Lestat de Lioncourt they could never make me hate you
Wow what a show. Loved each episode and really hope we see a season 2 at some point.
Well, that was unexpected. But some hints got their explanations: the strange seizures of Sugar, the fact that he can knock back literally litres of liqour without getting sloshed, that debriefing when he was chastised for registering his feelings, that talk "We just observe."
To be honest, I expected some kind of awkward international spy ring who "just observe" because... why, exactly?
I see a kind of wild game the show's creators played:
1. A classic detective noir, if finished like a proper detective story, would probably have left a dry reception, like "Okay, we've seen this 100x times."
2. Secret spy ring or a shady organization... Just observing? Yeah, right, thanks for nothing.
3. At least, this is a twist that's not everyday for a detective noir.
Let's see how our PIA's story unfolds.
I am very much into this.
It's cool, slick, thoughtful, it has its own style... It's throwing references around while doing its own thing.
Feel like we have a hit.
Modern noir private detective. Farrell is handsome and likeable. The writing is good. The editing and arty stylized images makes it distinct. The imagery mixing with old Hollywood movies is a great touch. I immediately fell in love with this detective story.
Creepy creepy creepy. The tension in this show is absolutely perfect, the acting is first rate, the soundtrack music is atmospheric and the camera work is spot on.... show of the year so far!
Might be my fav episode of the season so far. Full of hope and redemption.
The hesitancy of Jeff while giving his number to Claire got me curious. He was leaving his number to the fridge guy at the beginning of this episode as 773-555-0901. He told Claire as 0902. A sad tiny detail.
It felt rushed. They wrapped things up in 15 minutes and the rest was a flash forward to a Sally play and a spoof movie? No.
It felt like something was missing, I would've loved if they could've added at least two more episodes to explore all these events, the season was full of time skips which I despise in any show and the whole show felt rushed, somewhat sad for a show this great to end this way imo
Timothy: VINCENT CASSEL!! VINCENT CASSEL!! VINCENT CASSEL!! VINCENT CASSEL!! VINCENT CA-
For any non-french speakers out there: at the very beginning of the episode, when The Boys are all back together in the new office, at some point Frenchie calls Butcher "Mr. Charcutier".
The joke being that in French, a "butcher" is called a "charcutier".
‘But it is not about me. I can’t lash out like some raging, entitled maniac. That’s a white man’s luxury’ - Stan Edgar -
As Butcher would say, “Fuckin Diabolical!”
Even Homelander was clueless when everyone started exploding haha
"This is my boyfriend Hughie and this is his boyfriend Butcher" - Starlight at some point probably
One of my favourite heroes of the series so far. He needed the most help and he had one of the biggest transformations.
Ladies and gentlemen, Kieran Culkin, the 2023 Emmy winner.
The haircut scene reminded me of an episode of Brazil's version of What Not To Wear (Esquadrão da Moda) where the hair stylist, with the best of his intentions, cut the participant's hair more than she wanted and she hated it, what really shook her up and destabilized her. The important thing is to make the person feel comfortable in a good space, a comfortable space, and that's exactly what Jesus-look-alike did for Terri. Then, months later, she opened up to it and I loved that she accepted her own hair and, yes, it is beautiful. Self-confidence, self-love is everything in a person's life. And that's why I love Queer Eye. :hearts: It inspires me so much!
PS: I really wanted them to return to the lives of the participants, even if only a few months later, as happened in this episode.
I hope Speedy's life will be happy and amazing from now on. Beautiful soul :heart:
Incredibly hard to watch, at least if you have a past in any way similar to hers.
I didn’t even need to reach the end of this episode to be fully committed to her destroying them all.
This was an absolutely thrilling and horrifyingly fun episode. As a fan of politics, this episode is absolutely fascinating, a realistic imitation of election night, with a more nihilistic and corrupt vision of our current political and mainstream media system. There will be a lot to unpack from both the political and the personal angles. There's a lot here for everyone to enjoy--or fear, depending on your political persuasion.
Kudos to Kieran Culkin for making Roman so despicable and endlessly punchable in this episode.
the sequence with sally and the shadow guy had me shitting my pants. what tf is happening bro
That silent reveal cut (which then goes on so long!) with Sally is such a legit terrifying horror moment.
Decent over all. Part 1 was too much build-up for what Part 2 delivers.
The things I thought were good:
The new settings, and a creative plot. I liked the dissociative plot twist. I think it was well executed.
I liked how in the end Joe was chasing himself rather than a girl. I loved how unhinged it got.
The things I thought were not good:
I think part of the reason this season fell flat is because we didn’t have any truly great side characters. They were not written well. Most of the side characters did not add much to the plot at all. Take them out the show completely and we haven’t lost much in my opinion. They all seem like cartoon characters. There is not even the slightest depth to them and I have no interest in the relationships they form with Joe.
I can't really connect to Nadias storyline. Everything she did in P2 was SUCH a horrible decision. What was up with Maryanne not letting Nadia call the cops? It makes no since at all, their reasoning was beyond dumb, it’s just lazy writing.
Another disappointing character arc was the lady with the camera. She was just Phoebe's stalker? I was hyped to see if she was the one who was finally going to expose him. Or if she was connected to Beck somehow.
Kate is my least favorite love interest of Joe. There is zero chemistry between her and Jo. Zero.
I just don't understand why Joe becomes obsessed with Rhys in the first place. It seems so unlike his past obsessions. Had they written this season more tightly, we wouldn't have to wan explanation.
My suspension of disbelief has been broken many times this season, especially things leading to the ending. Joe just murdered Nadia’s boyfriend in broad daylight in London and they're just chatting next to a dead body for how long.
It feels like this season the plot armor is even more noticeable than in the last ones - reasoning of Nadia and Marienne for not calling the cops was really weird, all because they wanted Joe to get away with it without facing the police. The PI just handing Joe a new life wasn't explained. He killed Kate's dad incredibly easily for how rich and smart he's supposed to be. He even survived jumping from the bridge.
Joe has really managed to find not one, but two women who wholly accept him for all his stalking and murdering. And conveniently they both came from very wealthy families who are happy to cover up all of his crimes.
I have a feeling season 5 is gonna be the last. The fact that Joe it now at his absolute worst makes me think they’re preparing for his downfall. Plus it would be fitting for the last season to take place in NYC since that’s where it all started.
