What could have been a charming look in to the intricacies of lost loves and what-ifs was instead squandered by the writers of this series. Seven episodes (even at 30 minutes a piece) is more than enough time to develop characters and have them come to terms with the actions they took in the first episode, but the plot suffers from a slow start followed by too much packed in to the middle. What happens in episode 5, however, completely derails the entire purpose of the show (to use a train pun the writers ignored.) The fumbled insertion of exec-producer Phoebe Waller-Bridge (whose American character is astonishingly unconvincing) and the related sub-plot completely takes away from the narrative of the story which was driven by two actors completely capable of carrying the show. There was literally zero consequence or purpose to this sub plot, and it almost seems like the writers were stuck digging their way out of a needless major plot twist. Was there a different story that was quickly rewritten at the last minute? Or maybe it was written as they shot? All we know is that this waste of almost an entire episode worth of story killed the entire series and left the ending completely rushed, without enough time for the leading duo to do their thing and wrap up the season. Next time you try to cross breed "Fargo" with "When Harry Met Sally" consider the consequences.
Unsurprisingly, the writers arrogantly assume there's going to be a second season for them to undo the damage of the final three episodes. If there is, we know that HBO is truly lost. If I were the stars, I'd make sure to stay well away and leave this show to be forgotten.
