422. Web-series Reviews – 230

More web-series reviews…

 

Matlock – Ran from 1986 to 1995. Ben Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.

A review from IMDb...

Here it is, almost 1200 minutes of the mystery series "Matlock", 24 episodes (including the pilot) that were broadcast during NBC's 1986-1987 season. So let's forget all we know about the long run of this series and just talk about its premiere season.

Years after his run as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Andy Griffith finally got another regular job. This time he is playing Ben Matlock, an Atlanta lawyer who talks like Sheriff Andy. It's a comfortable role in a tried and true format; a mix of "Perry Mason" and "Columbo". "Columbo" veteran Dean Hargrove dreamed up the series and shared executive producer duties with Fred Silverman.

The focus is on the title character and Griffith is great fun to watch. He charms and sweet talks his way through each case, getting everyone to let down their guard because they underestimate this good old boy as much as they did the seemingly scatterbrained "Columbo". Both series revolved around the main character's ability discern something incriminating in seemingly innocent little things and to pick up on a guilty party's casual slip of the tongue.

In the "Perry Mason" tradition Matlock is not bound by the conventional rules of evidence or procedural requirements once he gets into a courtroom. He can say anything and introduce any sort of evidence simply by reassuring the judge that his line or questioning will eventually become relevant. Be prepared for the obligatory breakdowns and confessions on the witness stand. The prosecutors can only shake their heads and bluster helplessly in the face of Matlock's cunning strategy.

Matlock is assisted by the show's version of Perry Mason's Paul and Della. In season one these are his daughter and partner Charlene Matlock (Lori Lethin in the pilot-Linda Purl in the regular episodes) and his investigator Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday). His junior partner Michele Thomas (Nancy Stafford) would not join the team as a regular until the nest season and it wasn't until 1988 that Don Knotts reprises his Barney role as Ben's neighbor Les "Ace" Calhoun.

Season One's episodes #6 and #7 (a two part story titled "The Don") featured William Conrad as District Attorney James "Fatman" McShane. The next year the producers took this character, changed his name slightly to Jason Lochinvar 'Fatman' McCabe, and with Conrad created the long-running series "Jake and the Fatman". Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

My Take – Excellent series. Finished 2 seasons. Will see balance later!

 

Black, White and Grey – Love Kills – Came in 2025. Truth is never black or white. A high-profile case of serial killings takes an unexpected turn when forbidden love and deception come into play. In a world where love can kill, uncovering the truth is more dangerous than ever.

A review from IMDb...

"Black White & Gray Love Kills"

First of all kudos to the entire cast and crew for raising the bar of OTT series!

The series is a Mockumentary / Pseudo Documentary ! Yes, you read it right ! It is fictional & that's what made me sit back and think even after the last episode was over!

The hangover, the voices are still echoing and am falling short of adjectives to praise this beautiful work of screenplay I just experienced on Sony Liv!

What performances, top notch level!

Mayur More ......your eyes speak, they emote and your dialogue delivery can make any Nepo kid of Bollywood ashamed!

This is called talent, this is acting!

Palak Jaiswal, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Deven Bhojani...we need to see all more on screen!

You all were just awesome!

The cliffhangers towards the end of each episode didn't let me focus on anything else, I had to binge watch this mindblowing series!

It takes a lot of intelligence, diligence and patience to make something note worthy like this series!

Fabulous team work by all...loved the set up, the suspense, the thrill,the class discrimination, the corruption, the love, the greed...all emotions weaved beautifully with the right mix of characters and their performances.

Outstanding series...you guys have set a standard now!

Take a bow!

My Take – An excellent series!

The Eternaut – Came in 2025. Follows Juan Salvo along with a group of survivors as they battle an alien threat that is under the direction of an invisible force after a horrific snowfall claims the lives of millions of people.

A review from IMDb...

Excellent. I didn't expect a good adaptation from Netflix, given its history of failures, but they did it. A 70-year-old comic had to be updated, and it's fine. The original story is a classic that particularly portrays the fight against fascism, and in its second version, against the Argentine military government. For audiences far removed from the social, cultural, and historical spheres of Latin America, it's probably difficult to identify with the plot or historical events like the Malvinas argentinas War. But a story that goes from - to +, and ends on a high note with pure science fiction is worth it, even for the most demanding audiences. It's highly recommended to read the original comic to get a taste for it. I can't wait for season two... I hope it doesn't take two years!

Some clarifications for the non-Latin American/Hispanic public. SPOILERS 👇

In Argentina, guns aren't sold the same way they are in the US, for example. Access to the legal market is almost nonexistent. That's why certain individuals don't want to pick up a gun, because it's abnormal in such a society, and it goes against their principles, in Elena's case, because she is a medical doctor.

Distrust isn't common around everyone; neighbors know and greet each other, and generally, coexistence is good; it's not a generally defensive society.

Many situations are impossible to translate, much less behaviors. What may seem strange is the common way of behaving in these countries. Things are taken for granted, obvious, and there's no need to express them; just act or think about them/reflect. Silences are normal and have their meanings depending on the context.

In Buenos Aires, it has only snowed twice in its entire history, and obviously not in the summer. Originally, they think it might be asbestos from the burning power station, but they quickly realize that the shiny snow is the cause. There is no other reason, and there can be no other reason. In the original comic, they realize it just as quickly.

For a character to leave even with the possibility of death, is part of human irrationality, and they must keep that in mind at all times. Humans in these situations are not rational.

The beetles originally appear in the comic, as do the other creatures. The design is very similar. Keep in mind that this comic was written in the 1950s and translated into several languages. It's a precursor to science fiction, not an imitation. It existed 70 years before and is very faithful to the original work.

The slow pace in the first four episodes is due to the psychological foundations being established, where the characters adapt to what is happening and feel paranoia taking over. Then everything speeds up.

The secondary narratives that seem pointless will later be resolved in what will be the second and final season. Remember that this is an already known work, and a comic book; not everything is given to the viewer.

P. S. Claiming that those who positively rate the series are likely relatives of the actors is deeply disrespectful. You may not like it, but that doesn't mean you should dismiss something because you simply don't understand it or don't like it. This is a work that has waited decades to be adapted, with a huge fan base, and above all, because it has a very distinctive idiosyncrasy from the Río de la Plata region, and because it is loved by millions of Argentinians. P. S. 2. Watch it with subtitles and stop complaining about the dubbing. We watch American movies all the time, and we don't complain.

My Take – An excellent watch!

Adios till next time😊!!