The Crowded Room

Was initially excited to watch this then so put off by the absolutely awful reviews. Which upon reflection were unfair also I sensed some pettiness with the critics reviews as they didn't like being asked not to mention what we later learn in the show. I've just finished episode 6 and felt compelled to write this review after the fantastic performances I've just watched. I agree the first few episodes setting the scene are a little slow and disjointed to begin with but it is all leading up to more! Give it a chance there really are some fantastic performances especially Holland who really gives it his all.

This show is so captivating. It has the perfect amount of suspense, mystery, and drama. The acting is absolutely stellar and Tom really delivers. The setting is a little slow at first but it starts getting darker, and more disturbing with the further unraveling of Danny's childhood. I also like the message behind how childhood trauma will psychologically impact people through their adulthood. We do not have enough media representing the horrors of what some children have to endure-and how negatively it affects them. Things like this will help spread more awareness- but in a manner which tells a story. Again, Tom's acting is so good, he is definitely one of the most talented actors we have ever had.

The first few episodes slowly hooked me. Cleverly constructed with many time warps, relying on the audience to work things out.

Of course the "based on" credit is something of a spoiler, but I tried to ignore it. Then in episodes 5 and 6 it became great.

Seeing one of America's greatest screen actresses performing in the background (on a TV), really woke me up. Then I knew why Holland wanted the role. It was a similar part that gave Joanne Woodward her Oscar, and this one could be an Emmy for Holland.

Now he showed his acting chops. Not in-your-face, but subtly. And at last I was genuinley moved, as opposed to fascinated, coming close to tears.

So glad I gave it a chance, and stayed with it.

Amanda Seyfried,Emma Rossum, and Tom Holland are absolutely amazing in this series. The goal in shows like this are to captivate the audience. I will say if you try to figure this out, you will not. They have you critical thinking until the very last scene. Also, in my opinion when an actor can make you forget they are acting that is when you know you have found a good one. I have saw Tom Holland in Spider Man, Emma Rossim in Shameless, and Amanda Seyfried in Ted and Jennifer's body just to name a few. I forgot about the real people. It was literally Danny and their characters in this series. I would recommend to watch this. It is very emotional 🖤! I think we all need to watch this and stop and think about life a little. Remember how good we have it, or what we have overcome, or even what we are trying to overcome. Be greatful for what we have and realize it is not always our fault if something bad happened to us. Quit blaming yourself for every little thing and take it one day at a time. 10-10 Show! I am sad it is over. But, happy I watched it as well...

This was surprisingly good series. Great levels of drama and mystery and the pacing is perfect. Each piece of new information is provided at the perfect time to keep the viewer engaged and build up more mystery and drama. And the pieces fit like a perfect puzzle. The character's trauma is exposed step by step and it makes the viewer sympathize with a criminal, despite the crime.

But one of the strange failings of the series, one which jumped at me because other Apple series approach the same way, is a strange "sin of the past washing". They put a lot of African-American (or women, or minorities in general) characters in positions of power (judges, prosecutors) which was certainly not the case at the time (late 1970s). The show that caught my eye with the same was For All Mankind and I can't unsee it now. Washing the past makes in various series, present one included, makes it look like some people were far more accepted at the time than they really were, and it makes newer generations believe that.