Review of Tales from the Loop

It was the kind of show I found myself excited to get back to when I wasn't watching it, so that says something, but when I was actually watching it I felt quite underwhelmed, which I think says even more. It was beautifully shot and directed and the cast gave mostly good performances, but this kind of writing is just not satisfying enough for me. It was really more of an anthology series, except that real anthology series have stronger and more complete stories within each separate entry. This was just one large loosely tied together plot in which really in the end not much happens and you can't help but ask yourself what was the point? Life is sad and fragile and destined to end in heartbreak? Maybe they could have conveyed that message a little more efficiently and with a bit more actual plot.

Episode 6 was the zenith of this shows failed potential. They had a great story to work with for that episode but did nothing meaningful with it. That episode especially, but others as well, was really a stain on the sci-fi brand.

I've heard others say they tied things together "beautifully" in the end, but I whole heartedly disagree. I think there were giant holes all over the place and whatever story lines they did tie together were not done with great thought and delivered very little viewer satisfaction. I have no problem with slow, but not when there is little to no reward waiting for you on the other side.