As the title suggests, this is one of those shows that threatens, time after time, to become a quality series. Regrettably, it never reaches any great heights.
If you've ever watched a series and thought to yourself; "I'll give it one more episode. It's building. I can feel that it's about to round that bend and blow my mind," then you know what I'm talking about.
There are great scenes peppered all throughout this series. Unfortunately, these great scenes are vastly outnumbered by mind numbingly dull or totally unnecessary ones. I'd go as far as saying that there are two episodes that could be removed entirely without any detriment to the story line or the series' aesthetics.
Several characters lack any depth whatsover, whilst several others are given more of a back-story, only to become obsolete in terms of adding to the show's narrative.
The one shining light of "The Good Lord Bird" is Ethan Hawke. He rarely disappoints as he's a consummate professional in front of the camera. On occasion his incessant screaming starts to grate, but that's my only gripe with his performance. He's tender when necessary, vulnerable, vulgar, violent and utterly hilarious!
All in all it's got some great subject matter, some good performances, but ultimately it's fairly impotent. Six out of ten.
All in all it's got some great subject matter, some good performances, but ultimately it's fairly impotent. Six out of ten.