Briarpatch

The bar is so low that this show clears it with little effort. It has a "feel" to it that is hard to describe. Any successful production keeps you interested enough that you aren't constantly picking out flaws and plot holes. It makes you unconscious of time and actually want to see more. Will it keep up the pace and not bow to corporate meddling? See, I want to watch more ... fingers crossed.

A meticulously-paced neo-noir straight from the pages of a pulp fiction paperback. I'll be picking up the Ross Thomas novel this is adapted from and I can't wait to watch this series again. Fantastic production-, costume-, and character-design, and pitch-perfect music score and soundtrack. Definitely going to test the patience of those who prefer more mainstream, fast-paced drama, but this limited series slows to a halt, lingering just like the 100-degree heat and sun of the Smalltown, Texas, it resides in. Do yourself a favor: Watch the trailer, and then treat yourself to one episode at a time. Really chew on it. Throwaway comments by this collected mix of characters could be important clues as you need to solve the mystery just like Rosario Dawson's sizzling, brooding Allegra Dill. Edi Gathegi, Jay R. Ferguson, Brian Geraghty, and Kim Dickens all give incredible supporting performances as well, and there's a few unexpected cameos, too. The chief villain, the elusive Clyde Brattle, is played to perfection by Alan Cumming, reuniting him with Josie and the Pussycats (2001) co-star, Rosario Dawson. As dark and gritty as the show is, there's also some fantastic moments of dark humor. Highly recommend for any fans of whodunnits and stories that force you to think as well as entertain.

Can we withhold reviews until the season has ran its course? I'm seeing 5-6 star reviews criticizing one episode; why not visit that episode specifically and rate it? We don't know how this show will unfold so there is nothing to conclude just yet. I like the show so far, it has mystery and good acting. Too soon to tell how I will rate it, but for now, it's a 10 to balance out the premature reviews toward the series as a whole.

After just 1 episode, this show looks promising and there are still a lot of stories that needs to be cleared, Rosario as usual is awesome in this show and let's see where this takes us.

A Mystery / Thriller in the works.

I loved this show-something about it was just right. It's a noir with some lightness to it, not in comedy but in the atmosphere. The world it creates is a little hyper-real in way I didn't know I wanted, but found this one of the few shows I would faithfully look forward to the next episode each week. I read a lot of critics comparing this to other shows but I think they miss the way Briarpatch defines a new genre all for itself. Dawson is so airtight this seems like the role she was meant to play, and the Spivey character is complexly likeable-endearing and the definition of quirk but deserving of not escaping his past. I hope there are future seasons and more shows like it. Well done.