300. Web-series Reviews – 133

More web-series reviews…

Better Call Saul – Came out in 2015 and ran till 2022. Before Saul Goodman, he was Jimmy McGill. And if you're calling Jimmy, you're in real trouble. The prequel to "Breaking Bad" follows small-time attorney, Jimmy McGill, as he transforms into Walter White's morally challenged lawyer, Saul Goodman.

A review from IMDB...

Had heard nothing but amazing things about 'Better Call Saul' (with nothing bad), with it being one of the most highly regarded shows in recent years. Am a huge fan of 'Breaking Bad', so was really psyched in seeing its prequel 'Better Call Saul' too. My opinion of Bob Odenkirk is also very high, so there was absolutely no way this was going to be missed. Have binged on many shows in the past seven years or so and was determined for this to be one of them, very like 'Breaking Bad'.

'Better Call Saul' was every bit as amazing as reputed. Have seen many shows that started off wonderfully but declined badly in their final seasons, a few with really bad last episodes ('House of Cards', 'Game of Thrones', 'Killing Eve'), but then there are rarities like 'Breaking Bad' where every season was at least positively received and on the most part universally acclaimed. 'Better Call Saul' is another one of the rarities and is the first show seen in a long time to not have a bad episode in it, since 'Breaking Bad'. Seriously compelling and addictive stuff and exceptional in every area.

Visually, 'Better Call Saul' is one of those shows that is both stylish and beautiful, with photography and editing that are cinematic quality and put a lot of films today to shame, where there are a lot of visually beautiful ones but also some painfully amateurish looking ones. The music always has the appropriate mood, never too intrusive, never too muted.

The writing for 'Better Call Saul' is a fine example to all shows of how to have a lot of style but also to have a lot of substance. The dialogue throughout is thought-provoking and tense, although quite talky, while also have a darkly wicked sense of humour and heart-tugging pathos. The stories are texturally rich, intimate, tense and layered, with the pace of them consistently deliberate but taut. The pull no punches and gritty approach to the subject was often chilling and harrowing to watch. The direction couldn't be better.

Likewise with the acting, with Odenkirk on absolutely towering form throughout as one of television's most fascinating and meatiest leading characters, one that one is repulsed by but also one that is not hard to sympathise with in some situations. Rhea Seehorn and Michael McKean are excellent as well, McKean giving one of his best work in years. The character writing is rich and compellingly real.

My Take – Watch. Saw the 1st season and read the rest of the seasons' episodes in Wikipedia😊!

 

The Afterparty 2 – Season 2 came in 2023.  A person gets murdered and everyone is a suspect and their versions are the different episodes.

One of the reviews from IMDB...

Season 1 was watchable and a novel and interesting structure. There was a murder, and the protagonist female cop interviews people on the house before her boss turns up. She's charismatic, quirky and fun. Each person remembers the night of the murder differently (am interview for each episode) and, with some humour, she pieces together the evidence. It's well acted, interesting and great idea to see the same event from different perspectives, slowly releasing both clues about the murder, and details about the people's inter-relationships.

Season 2 is the same structure. A new murder, at a wedding. To be honest I felt less interested in who was the murderer, than just understanding how the characters fit together. Season 2 is a level above season 1. The actors are amazing. The characters are all unique and special and interesting. What I really love is the clever dialogue: witty, at times funny, and indeed the interviews not only reveal details but say very much about the characters and how they think about themselves. Awkward fat guy seeing himself as a bit of a detective from a crime noir film, for example. I certainly think second season should win awards. Original approach, great dialogue, lead and co-lead are fantastic; korean guy is very funny and great actor, and each episode is gripping, interesting and funny all at the same time. Hats of to the writers and production team too. Writing this review before the conclusion of season 2, but some of the episodes already are amazing. Also, I loved the music (classical style, but great composition).

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Who is Erin Carter – Came out in 2023.  Erin Carter, a British teacher in Spain, finds herself caught up in a supermarket robbery. When one of the robbers claims to recognize her, her life threatens to unravel. In Palomino, a town of secrets, she must fight to clear her name and protect her family.

One of the reviews from IMDB...

Ludicrous and thoroughly enjoyable!

I had a suspicion this might be dreadful and after the first episode I hadn't been persuaded otherwise. I stuck with it and started to really enjoy it.

Episode four is where it really starts to get going and from there you're already invested.

Now, I'm not normally a huge fan of the running and shooting and jumping off stuff and fighting action films/series, but I do appreciate the effort that goes into them. I've seen Die Hard a couple of times, it was fun.

For me, this series was kind of like that. You need to sit back and enjoy the nonsense.

Clearly, any normal person getting kicked about several times a day would need a bit of recovery time. Did Bruce Willis ever need recovery time? I don't think so! So why would super badass mom, Erin Carter?!

My advice? Chill out, laugh at the ridiculousness, groan at the terrible dialogue, suspend your disbelief pretty much all the way through, and just enjoy it!

Oh, and can I say thank you to whoever decided to have the protagonist run around in sensible shoes and not four inch stilettos all the time? I mean, you want realism? There it is.

Anyway, I hope there's a second series. That's how much I enjoyed it!

My Take – Worth a watch! 

Cheers till next time😊!