I started watching "The Path" for all the reasons that Hulu wanted me too: I transferred over from "11/22/63", I had watched "Breaking Bad" (so I knew Aaron Paul), and I was a big fan of "Hannibal" (ditto for Hugh Dancy). All the ducks were in a row and I fell right in line. While the overall plot of this first season wasn't the most spectacular narrative I've ever viewed, it just may have been the very best acting.
For a basic plot summary, "The Path" takes an inside look at the religion/cult/movement that calls itself Meyerism. This sect is led by Cal Roberts (Dancy), who is de facto in charge while the head honcho is away in Peru writing the final rungs of the mystical "ladder" that all members of Meyerism must ascend to achieve transcendence. We learn very quickly, however, that not all is as it seems in the leadership structure. On a related note, the family of Cal's "right hand woman" Sarah Lane (Michelle Monaghan) provides an interesting counterbalance to the Meyerist faithful. Son Hawk (Kyle Allen) wants to leave school and take his Meyerism vowsuntil he meets a fellow schoolmate, Ashley (Amy Forsyth), who changes his mind about a lot of things. Husband Eddie (Paul) is having doubts about his involvement in the organization whatsoever, even going so far as to have secret meetings with Alison Kemp (Sarah Jones), a woman who believes Meyerism killed her husband.
Easily the hallmark of this show, at least to this point, is its extraordinary acting. Monaghan and Paul have great chemistry together, and the auxiliary pieces all fit perfectly. Most of the time, though, it is truly Dancy that steals each and every scene he is in. He's perfectly cast for this role, where his nervous twitches and smirky grin play expertly. To be honest, it's been awhile since I've been as impressed with a single acting performance.
As far as the plot of the show is concerned, it is skating by just a bit on "concept". The first 2-3 and last 2-3 episodes do a lot of moving and shaking, but the middle ones have the tendency to cover a lot of the same ground and stagnate a bit. It isn't a huge deal, as we are just in the first season yet, but the writing/plots will have to improve a bit going forward if this show will ascend to all-time great status.
Overall, though, "The Path" has firmly ensconced itself atop my "must-watch" shows list. The show provides a very interesting/relatable concept (with numerous parallels to organized religion) and then absolutely shines in the acting department. I am excited to see what the future will bring for these characters!
For a basic plot summary, "The Path" takes an inside look at the religion/cult/movement that calls itself Meyerism. This sect is led by Cal Roberts (Dancy), who is de facto in charge while the head honcho is away in Peru writing the final rungs of the mystical "ladder" that all members of Meyerism must ascend to achieve transcendence. We learn very quickly, however, that not all is as it seems in the leadership structure. On a related note, the family of Cal's "right hand woman" Sarah Lane (Michelle Monaghan) provides an interesting counterbalance to the Meyerist faithful. Son Hawk (Kyle Allen) wants to leave school and take his Meyerism vowsuntil he meets a fellow schoolmate, Ashley (Amy Forsyth), who changes his mind about a lot of things. Husband Eddie (Paul) is having doubts about his involvement in the organization whatsoever, even going so far as to have secret meetings with Alison Kemp (Sarah Jones), a woman who believes Meyerism killed her husband.
Easily the hallmark of this show, at least to this point, is its extraordinary acting. Monaghan and Paul have great chemistry together, and the auxiliary pieces all fit perfectly. Most of the time, though, it is truly Dancy that steals each and every scene he is in. He's perfectly cast for this role, where his nervous twitches and smirky grin play expertly. To be honest, it's been awhile since I've been as impressed with a single acting performance.
As far as the plot of the show is concerned, it is skating by just a bit on "concept". The first 2-3 and last 2-3 episodes do a lot of moving and shaking, but the middle ones have the tendency to cover a lot of the same ground and stagnate a bit. It isn't a huge deal, as we are just in the first season yet, but the writing/plots will have to improve a bit going forward if this show will ascend to all-time great status.
Overall, though, "The Path" has firmly ensconced itself atop my "must-watch" shows list. The show provides a very interesting/relatable concept (with numerous parallels to organized religion) and then absolutely shines in the acting department. I am excited to see what the future will bring for these characters!
