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Reviews
Utopia (2014)
Subtle and cleverly funny
Like The Hollowmen, which preceded this show by a few years, this thinly veiled spin off (Rob Sitch) finds himself in another meaningless bureaucracy just trying to survive. For anyone who has worked in a styfling office environment riddled with extraneous training and team building demands that get in the way with actual work, this show will resonate. The show's subtle digs and under the breath comments, particularly from the earnest Tony, had me rewinding to catch and full appreciate them. The production values, writing and sets are excellent. The only reason I've scored it 9 and not 10 is because I don't give out tens.
Ted Lasso (2020)
Suspend your disbelief and just enjoy
The premise behind Ted Lasso is the goodness in people. There is lots of comedic entertainment packed into two seasons, but the cheery tone is a welcome distraction from the narcissism that is so prevalent in our society. The characters, while each flawed in their own way, are sickeningly sweet. Jason Sudeikis' command of the character is a joy to watch. Ted Lasso brushes off insults and sprays compliments and good will to the point where it becomes infectious among the rest of the supporting characters. Suspend your disbelief for half an hour and you won't be disappointed. The sets match the charm of the show. There are lots of quaint street scenes that compliment the plot lines. Corny? Unrealistic? Sure, but once in a while, what's so wrong with that?
Uspjeh (2019)
Predicable; pedestrian
The scenes of the beautiful city of Zagreb might be the only redeeming quality of this series. The coincidental thread that runs through it is just not credible. Zagreb's population is one million people, yet the four main characters keep running into one another. The writing is weak, the story line is plodding and the acting pedestrian. It starts strong but loses its momentum quickly and follows a formulaic script that we've all seen dozens of times before. Too many scenes of pensive actors staring out of windows. The attempts at shocking plot twists fall miserably short. There is nothing original in Uspjeh.
Gangs of London (2020)
Unsophisticated and ludicrously violent
Simply put ... this is a ridiculous series. It should come billed as dystopian science fiction rather than as action drama. It claims to be a modern, sophisticated take on the well-worn gangster genre, but it goes so far over the top that it leaves viewers smirking and shaking their heads. The violence, blood and gore are so extreme it takes away from the show's efforts to weave together a clever story arc. But the feeble plot and intense violence aren't the only weak points. The acting is exaggerated and unbelievable; there isn't a single sympathetic or well-developed character amid this cast of bloodthirsty sociopaths. Don't waste your time.
The Thick of It (2005)
Brilliant satire
The Thick of It beautifully captures the pettiness and incompetence that likely permeates the offices of top level politicians and bureaucrats. The mockumentary format and grainy production add to the show's believability. The vulnerability of the characters is nicely developed by the creators, and the frequent profanity, while possibly offensive for those viewers with priggish sensibilities, I think adds to the show's ability to reflect the reality of backroom politics. For those that don't take themselves, or their political masters too seriously, this show rocks.
The Queen's Gambit (2020)
Mawkish and slow moving.
I can't understand how this show has achieved the acclaim it has. While it is slick and well produced, it is also sappy, schmaltzy and predicable. I found myself clicking forward frequently to move the lethargic plot along. The acting is over-the-top; there is no spontaneity. Other than the main character, few among the supporting cast are well developed. Don't waste your time unless you're a fan of maudlin melodrama.