Maniac

Initially intriguing mini-series is certainly not short on scope or ambition, but leaves its premise sketchily defined, and refuses to make Hill or Stone an objective 'control' subject - it makes this a cold and distancing (and ultimately ineffectual) experience. Livened mainly by the fine performances (you can never tamp down Field or Byrne), and Hill and Stone do show an impressive range during their time hopping adventures, but it's all for naught.

Original, touching, wide ranging, well acted. The slow plot development in the first 3 episodes is definitely a sticking point - I gave up at ep 3 and see others did too. The payback for sticking with it is high though, and the slow development makes the fantastical scenes and ending all the more worth it.

It was just long enough, and just fucking weird enough, to work. But it was a bit too weird, and was missing a bit of background, to make it work very well. Worth checking out regardless.

bad series

Took a much different path than I expected after the first episode, which IMO, is neither good or bad because i liked this but was also enjoying what i thought the bend of the show would be. I hadn't really heard to much about this before going in so i didn't have expectations, but i can see how that might affect opinions if you know what's up going in.

A hell of a concept that has a budget that allows a wild phantasmagoria -- though given so much of this takes place in a dream, much tension is unfortunately sacrificed. And for how unique and off-the-wall and completely unlike other shows I've seen, there's still a feeling of safety in tropes and eventual predictablility, as evident from its easy-going conclusion. Some episodes thrill and wildly subvert more than others, certainly makes for an intriguing watch, and the music is MVP.

Funny and interesting series with some moving rumination on mental health struggles via simulations. Very impressive and fun aesthetics and excellent performances across the board including a hilariously over the top Justin Theroux (nice to see his range after his mostly stoic and intense work in the excellent The Leftovers.) I'm looking forward to seeing more from these creators.

I just could not buy into the show and its ridiculous aesthetic and terrible pacing. The tone failed to impress me as did the off beat humour and weird set pieces. Just a misfire that is wasting the immense talent on the cast. Not really sure what the purpose was. Just too much to try and navigate and it takes too long to make any sort of point worth jumping on.

Cool worldbuilding but the quirky tone should've been a red flag for me. Gets aggressively stupid around ep 7

"decent"? no way this is awesome. actual tears