Escape at Dannemora

I wanted to like this show so badly, but I really don't feel like they did this story justice. As I started the 6th of the 7th episode, I realized that I didn't care one bit about any of the characters. It wasn't until the 6th episode where we really learned all that much about the escapees (other than hobbies and how they spend their time in prison). The 7th episode was spent on the fugitive search, which really should have started much earlier in the series.

So incredibly impressed with Ben Stiller's direction and the numerous outstanding performances from this cast. Looking forward to seeing what else Stiller has up his sleeve in the future.

There's a lot of good in this HBO miniseries (the wild story, direction, editing and Paul Dano's acting) but the music supervision is a total blunder. Horrible stock-comedy music that clashes with the serious notes of the narrative, weird pop-music intermezzo's and generic action / "quality series"-cues all around.

An interesting story meshed with excellent performances from Del Toro, Dano and an outstanding Arquette should have made for more compelling drama, however there is simply not enough meat on the bones for an 8 hour runtime; too much of this feels like a rough edit of a slick and lean 2 1/2 hour feature. Stiller handles the intense material well, if a little journeyman at times, but Arquette really is the star; an empathetic, multi-demensional portrait of a loathsome and pathetic character.

Thrilling prison escape series that manages to bring so much newness to this specific genre without absolutely breaking the mold. It's focused on showing the escapees yearning for freedom and even more focused on showing their elaborate plan in action as they learn how to make the break -- all the while also showing their co-operative relationship with a prison worker, which gives us one of the best TV performances ever with Arquette.

Functional.

Outstanding! Kudos to Ben Stiller (director), Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano and Benitio Del Toro.

Well performed story that I knew little of.

didnot find it catchy enough to continue watching after ep1

The critics repeatedly warned that this is a slow show, but I didn't find that and liked it, particularly episode 6 (the flashback episode), which I loved. Tied for 5th-most nominated show at the Emmys (major categories). More than "Chernobyl" which everyone gushed about all spring.