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Paradise (2023)
Multi-faceted Fight for Meaning
Freedom, Morals, Ambition.
Which do you fight for?
The story of Paradise takes us to the limit of human abuse, where life itself can be commoditized through systemic manipulation and legally stripped from the poor to the rich.
While you may feel instinctively this system is morally dubious at best, Paradise shows that like some situations in our world, clever reasoning, wordplay and the aforementioned systemic manipulation can cover up your doubts about right and wrong.
So what is right and wrong when there are two sides to the story?
Our protagonist Max finds out himself, initially working as an agent of the system with little guilt (it's just a job, and everyone needs to eat!) that there can be a dark side to complacency and how power can be misused.
There's a lot to think about in Paradise. The story pushes many of the key characters through tough situations and distils their purpose, leaving you wondering what people really care about in life, and what you should stand for. Stakes become uncertain, morals questioned and tensions rise, while decisions become increasingly more difficult to make.
Thankfully all of the characters found forgiveness and redemption, except perhaps the head of the Theissen.
The Last of Us: When You're Lost in the Darkness (2023)
show feels well connected to the audience.
First, a reminder to humanity that changing the environment that we have adapted to over our history could cause us massive problems. Polar bears without ice don't have a habitat to live, and humans living in an slightly warmer environment may be susceptible to cordyceps fungi. Even though it is television it makes you think about what could happen to us if we are not careful with our environment.
Then, A stellar episode. Mrs Adler's scene starts to bring forth an unsettling sensation, and the car scene that comes soon after is well shot and feels oddly immersive.
Present day reminds you of the actual game but with next gen graphics. You get a nice feel for the bleak world we are in via burning of children because it's HBO, as well as many reminders of the game here and there, like sneaking past guards. Nice homage!
The only complaint I would have is that the dialogue at times seems a bit extra and threw the pacing off slightly (to give the audience important information, but still), and Ellie can sometimes resemble young Princess Leia with her lines being a little too clever, though overall this first episode was a 10/10 for me, great performance by everyone and I'm eager to see more.
Rick and Morty: Full Meta Jackrick (2022)
eh~
Could it be possible somebody told this writer to do a thing, he thought it was stupid, and then spent the episode trashing what he was told to do? Feels a bit like it.
This episode was creative and had some interesting characters and new ideas although personally I'm not a fan of the meta episodes in general, I just don't get them, presumably because I'm not a writer. The end of this episode features a moment of clarity where the writer character realises he can't write about being a writer, but the inclusion of these meta episodes lean toward the opposite message.
Regardless, the beginning of the episode starts toward an interesting direction, talking about the idea of "previously on", introducing this bug creature who embodies the idea of "previously on" flashbacks. He sucks you and you start flashbacking, and apparently it's an awful creature that must be destroyed. Huh? It could be smart if there were more depth to it but it feels like the writers want to take a jab at people who are stuck in the past for rick and morty and prefer the earlier episodes? Who knows, it's not clear, extremely vague and feels like they're trying to send a message instead of make us laugh. He's not a relevant character though, and neither are all the ones you will meet during the rest of the episode.
Some sort of Jesus character is introduced, but he's the kind that "doesn't have a god". "I work alone", he says to napoleon. Eh. This character was groan inducing and not enjoyable. In fact this entire episode has this "ohh, heyy, we're so edgy and everyone in this episode is so sarcastic because we know how stupid this is which is what makes it funny" layer to it, which got old quite fast. It's like the person who wrote this was assigned this task to write a certain type of story, thought the idea was stupid, then proceeded to trash the idea during the story.
The self referential six were by contrast interesting and grounded in something most people are familiar with; the superhero parody. Mr twist's bit was the only dialogue of this episode I enjoyed, it was silly, funny, clever, and he was the only character who fit the vibe of this episode. "Brett con", a guy who shapes reality with his words, was also interesting, but his inclusion really breaks down the rules of television, as if they weren't broken already, and his potential wasn't fully utilized leaving you feeling more empty and uninterested in the episode.
Then, the episode goes back to random meta things happening. Story lord saps the world's motivation, Story lord meets his creator, rick and morty meet joseph campbell, random flashbacks that didn't happen (or DID they?). Morty becomes pregnant, because of the previously on guy. What? What was the point of it all. Not one single laugh was given, nor amused eyebrow raised.
This story was all over the place and it just didn't work for me. Shoutout to Mr Twist though, you were killed off too soon.
The Rehearsal (2022)
what a ride
Wow what a show. At first I posted a review very foolishly saying this show was unnecessary, but I had only watched episode 1. Then I went and watched Nathan for you, realised I had been played, and came back to finish the rehearsal.
This show is something else. It may come off a little strange to some but Nathan is once again putting himself out there to help people. The concept of the rehearsal is just the vessel which he uses to help people. The more I think about it the more I realise even though it is a little strange, there are few options when it comes to encouraging and helping people go through with difficult discussions that they want to do but cannot. Enter Nathan Fielder. A physical rehearsal is strange, but it's what a lot of people do on varying levels in our heads anyway. By providing people the opportunity to do a rehearsal, Nathan helps them get through a knot in their life which must be very cathartic.
The part about parenting reaches totally absurd levels and it's hilarious. It's hard to tell what is going on but it seems to hint toward a deeper meaning; wanting a child and caring for a child are two separate things. I really appreciate what he is trying to do...or at least what I think he is trying to do.
What a guy, what a show. Sorry for the dodgy review before. It's a 10/10 for me, plus extra points for originality.
Nathan for You (2013)
puppet master reveals all
Nathan for You is wholesome, brilliant and ballsy but at times hints toward a deeper truth.
Nathan spends his time helping small businesses with wacky and tailored solutions a salaried businessman would either be fired or promoted, depending on the weather multiplied by his favourite beer.
Nathan's unique personality and approach provide some of the most insane but "I guess it could work" ideas you will see on TV. Combine this with his dedication to his projects and hilarious deadpan to get a show and character that will leave a lasting impression.
I like the joke he made about the haunted house that was really funny.
Westworld: Akane No Mai (2018)
Beautiful, underrated episode.
Season 2 only gets better with age. I didn't like this episode at first but I have come around. It's actually a great Sizemore episode, who might just be my favourite character in Westworld. We get to see Sizemore humanize the hosts more as they stray further from their loops. He starts the episode making funny sarcastic comments and seeing things from a technical perspective, which is hilarious, but after Maeve confronts him about it by the end of the episode he no longer sees host lives as fake but real.
Lovely episode.
Severance (2022)
Where's episode 10?
Was having a wild ride on this rollercoaster but it stopped abruptly, leaving me hanging at the top of the loop. See you all next year, hopefully then we can enjoy a complete experience instead of just getting a halfjob.
The concept of the show is interesting but feels a little forced and gimmicky. Nevertheless there is plenty to think about and enjoy, it is quite a thought provoking experience which may leave an impression on you, but perhaps to no consequence as I found it hard to imagine a world with severance existing, so why go down the rabbit hole of pondering the implications of it at all?
A very entertaining season overall, and definitely worth a watch. It would easily be a 9/10 if we didn't end on an unnecessary cliffhanger; there are plenty of mysteries worth coming back for, so it wasn't very satisfying to be left hanging like that.