First thing first, I am an International viewer, I am Asian but not familiar with Filipino culture and mythology. Still, I find this show easy to watch and fairly enjoyable. However, 6 episodes are way too short, the show can't balance between good character or narrative developments and inevitably fail in both of them.
The legend of Korra season 2 despite its failures, can convincingly showcase the discourse of balancing the 2 contrasting worlds, how humans and the supernatural beings could coexist, and how the main character could serve as the bridge between the 2 realms. Trese tries to follow in Korra's footsteps but inevitably fails due to the show's insufficient world-building and lackluster characters. The Filipino culture inspired elements are certainly interesting to watch, but when it comes to deeper thematic ideas like balance/conflict/police brutality, the historical and social contexts were largely ignored or hastily brushed over. And let's not forget the overused zombies/chaotic evil god tropes. The show has also failed to make me feel invested in the characters. Hank is by far my favorite. The captain is probably my second. These 2 are properly humanized through the "show don't tell" principle. Other than that, the rest of the characters are pretty undeveloped. As for Trese, she has the badass but not the personality of Korra nor the charm of the good old detectives like Sherlock.
There are potentials in this show, I hope season 2 would properly flush out the characters and delivery a truly satisfying arc for Trese.
The legend of Korra season 2 despite its failures, can convincingly showcase the discourse of balancing the 2 contrasting worlds, how humans and the supernatural beings could coexist, and how the main character could serve as the bridge between the 2 realms. Trese tries to follow in Korra's footsteps but inevitably fails due to the show's insufficient world-building and lackluster characters. The Filipino culture inspired elements are certainly interesting to watch, but when it comes to deeper thematic ideas like balance/conflict/police brutality, the historical and social contexts were largely ignored or hastily brushed over. And let's not forget the overused zombies/chaotic evil god tropes. The show has also failed to make me feel invested in the characters. Hank is by far my favorite. The captain is probably my second. These 2 are properly humanized through the "show don't tell" principle. Other than that, the rest of the characters are pretty undeveloped. As for Trese, she has the badass but not the personality of Korra nor the charm of the good old detectives like Sherlock.
There are potentials in this show, I hope season 2 would properly flush out the characters and delivery a truly satisfying arc for Trese.