I ignored this show when it first came out because the initial trailer didn’t do much for me, but I ended up enjoying the first season, and so far I’m enjoying season two even more.
It’s kind of a variety-show take on “Rashomon” in the form of a comedy murder-mystery. The gimmick is that in each episode, you get one character’s version of the story as a mini-movie in a film style that suits that character. So you’ll see the same events unfold as a romantic comedy, an action thriller, a horror movie, a musical, and so on. Some of the mini-movies fall flat, but the ones that work are lots of fun.
The mystery itself was pleasantly constructed in season one, with clues hidden in plain sight from pretty early on if you knew what to look for. Season two isn’t finished yet, but it seems like it’ll do the same; in the first episode there’s a little comedy bit about picking people up from a hotel that’s just a quick gag on one level, but is also clearly the writers saying, “Pay attention, because minor inconsistencies are going to matter.”
Anyone else watching this show?
I enjoyed the first season a lot, but I could not get into the second season. Lack of a similar framing device, missing some of my favorite actors (at least in the early episodes), but worst of all is, sadly, the performance by Richardson. From what I watched, the second season really leans into his “constantly talking to fill awkward silences” schtick. It was just too much. Nobody in real life acts or behaves that way and is not considered an asshole.
Totally fair! That doesn’t particularly bother me but you’re right that he does that.
My opinion of the second season is mostly thanks to the mini-movies being more creative. I also enjoy Ken Jeong and John Cho.
Maybe I got the episode that focused on his perspective the most? If the rest of the season is more like the first and doesn’t always portray him as sympathetic, I could get behind that.