El Poder

I did not know anything about the show prior to watching and was instantly impressed. This show was able to bring so many worldwide social issues to mainstream awareness. The cross cultural storylines of women's oppression and the complex relationships they have in their lives was tied together seamlessly. The performace of the cast was a high quality, Toni Collette is always great and her interactions with Auli'i Cravalho who plays her daughter came across as genuine. It was good to see John Leguizamo playing a more serious, non villainous role.

Overall, I recommend this show. I know it isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea but I am glad I gave it a go and more importantly I'm glad it was made and released mainstream.

I am only about 1/2 way through but so far this is an excellent show. One of the best aspects I think is that it has several main characters and shows, somewhat believably, what would happen if they all developed new powers. I enjoyed the world building of each very different character and the "what would happen if" of it all. We see the story mostly via the mayor of Seattle who is dealing with overwelmed first responders and EMTs only to be told my the governor to "not get her panties in a wad" in response to this major change in the world. She is told by authorities to keep it quiet but she decides instead to blow the whistle and tell everyone what is happening.

I assumed when reading through other reviews that there was going to be a mixed bag. People praising it because it flips gender power dynamics on its head and those who bash on it for the same reason. What I didn't expect was people claiming that the show is slow?? Yes, they take their time in order to introduce a large and diverse ensemble. Having just come off the Last of Us though, this show is a piece of cake (although I loved that show too). The only thing that stood out to me was some of the dialogue, especilaly with the teens, seemed a bit clunky.

There are quite a few characters, all with very interesting backgrounds, all unified by the Power. I am currently on episode 3 and can already sense the imminent collapse as people become trigger-happy naysayers out of fear and anger. Not that its too far fetched given how some world leaders reacted during the pandemic (and continue today).

Overall, the premise is interesting, the pacing steady, and I can't wait to see how they further develop the plot and characters.

My review is based on the first two episodes.

The show is beautifully shot.

Despite the many characters, the story is easy to understand and the actors portraying them are delivering strong performances. All around the production is delivering everything I can ask from a show.

But unfortunately its fails to ask any interesting questions in regards to the shows premise, at least so far.

The obvious question being, does might make right?

Instead it seems to have already settled on an answer that "Yes, might makes right" meaning that a societies moral standards are defined by those in power. It portrays a world in which the powerful are categorically unempathetic to the plight of the powerless and cannot be persuaded by logical arguments, and therefore should the roles be reversed, they wont deserve any empathy either.

Frankly it is awfully black and white, with good people and bad people and nothing in-between. The universe seems like a oversimplified representation of the world we live in, juvenile, boring and unimaginative.

I look forward to the day shows are written by people who are smart enough to come up with creative solutions to problems - but with American productions it's always the same; Violence is the answer. Every genius in a superhero movies seem intent on creating easier ways to kill things. Doesn't matter if the hero of the story is a man or a woman, black or white, old or young - and in a story specifically about oppression and for one named The Power, it seems to spend awfully little time questioning how such power should be wielded. I get it might not be the first question, but at this point it should have come up. Its not believe able that so many characters would just roll with it.

I wonder if this show will end up looking like a CW production after a season or two.

The show is brilliant. I was shocked how low the rating is overall here. The acting is really great, it's well written and filmed, and plays almost like a documentary in its realism. The allegory that the show is telling is super important I believe. I feel it's one of the best shows I've seen in a long time. It's entertaining but also meaningful.

I definitely recommend it. Perhaps see for yourself and check it out if you like stories that have something important to say about the world. I feel uplifted and inspired watching this series.

I have seen the four episodes currently available, and I am very much looking forward to watching how it plays out.