ich_david_und_gott Reviews

Longmire (2012–2017)

What a series!

[10/10 · 12 September 2015]

I watched this show from the beginning, and so far it was great (seasons 1-3). But not because there was more action than anywhere else or more mystery or something like that. No it was different, Longmire is a character driven story, that relies on the interpersonal connections and conflicts, while offering an at least decent story which was always framed by a bigger one (The murder of Sheriff Longmires wife and so on). Added to that the scenery is simply stunningly beautiful. It makes you feel like you are in the wide open with nothing but nature around you. AMAZING! Now I want to get to the 4th season.

After the end of season 3 I was so thrilled and couldn't wait for season 4 to be released. But then it was canceled and I almost died of a heart attack. But then Netflix picked it up - luckily! With this there is a change in the pacing of this series which parallels the story. While the Casino is finally built and opens and therefore brings a lot of people to the former quiet rural area, it brings the present to this little town where everything used to be a little bit slower and living in the past (in the best possible way). The same thing happens to the pacing: It often gets faster, looks more modern. Now, I don't mean to say, that I didn't like the "old" Longmire, but the "new" achieves what rarely can be achieved. It is the same series with all the charm it had but is brought up to "modernity" at the right places - simply put, I like it a lot! I think the new characters are a very good addition to the cast, although I didn't enjoy the "casting show" of the new deputy very much. The "old" characters and their relations are evolving in a good way, not too foreseeable but nothing too fancy - just the right balance. As for the story: it is simply great. It's isn't the good old "one episode, one case" format but rather a series of more or less related crimes - also new but really enjoyable. The ending: Absolutely perfect. the whole last episode is a piece of art! It just brings everything so perfectly together - no old loose ends, nothing too kitschy or fancy, just the right amount of satisfaction. Plus, while there are three major cliffhangers (one concerning Henry, two concerning Walt), it feels much more satisfying than the finale of season three. Although I cannot wait for season 5, I don't feel like they cheated me into wanting to watch the next season.

Overall, marvelous job, special thanks go out to Netflix for saving this gem! Worth a watch!

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Undercover (2014) Season 2, Episode 1

What a great start

[9/10 · 29 September 2014]

Well to be honest, when the show started out I didn't like it that much. Season 1 started in my eyes as a big disappointment. I just continued to watch it because of Andy Samberg. But with episode 4 or so it really caught me. I laughed a lot from there on out and was surprised form week to week who funny and enjoyable it was. After season 1 was done I thought, well I'm sure they are going to f*** up season 2. Tragically that is what happens to most good comedy series. But boy was I wrong. I really enjoyed watching episode 1 and can't wait for more. It was funny as hell and the characters still work well together. Everything what made season 1 good is here again and in some ways even better than before.

WATCH IT! It's absolutely worth it!

Transparent (2014–2019)

Excellent series, but more a dramedy than a comedy...

[9/10 · 27 September 2014]

Well, when I first saw the first episode, I thought: Wow, that might be a great comedy! Great characters, promising actors, interesting setup, almost endless possibilities. I was sure there would be a lot of light hearted and fun scenes, mixed in with a little bit of bittersweetness. But boy, was I wrong. Upon watching about half of all of the episode I can say the following: It's a straight forward dramedy. Of course there is the funny and light stuff but that's merely the surface. Beneath it lies a far more interesting because way more colorful story. There is the dad, who was unhappy almost his whole life, now changing it and then realizing that this might not be what he hoped for. His new exiting lifestyle comes with a whole lot more problems than he might have anticipated. He's new to all of it, yet he doesn't seem to fit in in either world. Then there's the oldest of his kids. She is good looking, has a family, seems to be happy, then her long lost lesbian lover turns up and before you know it, her whole life turns upside down as well. She leaves everything behind for her new/old girlfriend and realizes that it might not be as easy as she though. Next there's the son. Successful, a lot of women, a lot of sex, loads of money. But as the story progresses you get to see more and more that he is desperately looking for someone to connect with. Maybe have a family, just change his whole lifestyle. And last but not least, the youngest daughter. She is quirky and awkward looking, a bit self conscious, not sure where she stands in life. She is intelligent yet unable to get a real job. She wants to change her appearances yet she is afraid of changing her looks. All in all it goes pretty deep into four troubled minds that seem to be unable to be true to themselves and find happiness along the way. What I like most about it is that although discussing or touching a lot of difficult topics along the way the series manages to stay pretty light footed and almost funny about it. Almost. I think what most people won't like is that it is neither a drama nor a comedy but kind of both. And therein lies the problem: People who want to watch a drama will be upset with the slow pace, serious topics and lack of big laughs, people who want to watch a drama will be upset because the series lacks the darkness, the heaviness and yes, the drama. But for me and everyone else who is okay with that, go ahead and enjoy the fine acting and story and of course the very good soundtrack. Plus there is the whole LGBT-topic which is new in a series, at least for me. Really liked it, hope for more!

Mind Games (2014)

One of the most promising new series so far

[10/10 · 26 February 2014]

While the last series with Christian Slater I watched (Breaking In) crashed and burned after a fabulous first season, I sure do hope that it won't this time. It is a promising and intriguing set up for a hopefully great first season. The whole dynamic between the to brothers - one borderline insane, the other an ex-con with truth issues - and the ex wife of said con artist who is beginning to develop feelings for the bipolar brother creates a whole lot of future possibilities. Add to that the sudden appearance of the "lost" girlfriend of the bipolar brother and you got yourself one hell of an emotional roller coaster. Moreover the idea of altering or influencing behavior of people in order to make them act the way you want them to is fascinating. Many shows before have benefited a lot from some form of mind/behavior controlling features (the early "The Mentalist", "Lie to me" etc.) so it stands to reason that it will do the same for "Mind Games"; at least if the creators of this promising show are able to keep up the balance between humorous and more sincere parts, between personal matters and the business part. The only fear I have so far is that the supporting actors will fade too much compared to the to brothers and the ex wife, since they don't seem to have that many connecting points to the main characters (or at least so far). Nonetheless this is one of my favorites this year and I strongly believe it will keep the level they set with the pilot maybe even exceed it!

The Crazy Ones (2013–2014)

Highly under-appreciated

[9/10 · 8 October 2013]

I registered just to write this review because I think this series is highly under-appreciated. Robin Williams is simply brilliant. He always has a slightly tragic ring to his acting but this is what makes it great. If you like him you will like The Crazy Ones for sure. It's a light- footed heartwarming comedy that makes me smile and sometimes laugh for 20 minutes every week. It makes my week a brighter and happier one. The supporting actors vary between OK and pretty awesome. Sometimes I get the feeling some of them are only there to support Williams and Gellar and their jokes but some of them really are funny beyond that. Especially in episode 2 I had a good laugh when watching the whole duck business. My recommendation: Watch it!