The Mosquito Coast

What could have been a great show turned into a series that grew more and more idiotic as the weeks went by. Plot holes abound.

Normally, I really like Justin Theroux (Mulholland Dr. And The Leftovers especially). But this adaptation is just terrible all around. Bad writing and bad acting by the entire family. Man I've probably never wished so badly for a family member or 3 to get caught, or worse.

None of the decision making makes sense by anyone in this family. I find myself yelling at them throughout the show, "Hide, hide your van, die your hair, buy a wig, put on sunglasses, put on A FREAKING HAT! Hey how about a sombrero?!" Good god, anything to not stick out like a sore thumb. It's just simple and absurd writing, and how this show got a 2nd season I'll never know. It seems most everyone agrees this is an awful show. Maybe liked by the same people that find NCIS quality television? I think Apple is desperate for shows. 90% of their originals are ok at best.

Too bad. Another waste of good talent (Theroux). At least the last few episodes laid off the "Americans are awful" trope.

The Mosquito Coast was so much better than I expected. I've been a fan of Justin Theroux ever since his brilliant performance in The Leftovers. He really is an underrated actor as he's great in this as well. The rest of the cast is pretty good as well (except for the daughter) but it's Theroux who really stands out. He plays a brilliant inventor who has to go on the run with his family throughout Mexico as he's wanted by the US Government and some other dangerous people. The only problem with the show I had was that I couldn't stand the daughter. I couldn't stand the actress or how the character was written. The way she keeps disrespecting her parents is disgusting. I kept hoping that she would be killed off every episode. Anyway, It will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout both seasons.

After watching the entire season, there are still no answers or explanations. Do we know anything about any character in this show? It is a lot to ask an audience to keep watching a show without any definitive conclusions whatsoever.

This could have been pretty good if the writers respected the viewers just a tad. Over and over again they were either too lazy or to dumb to write a compelling story line. Time and again I have been forced to put my brain on hold and ignore the improbability of the plot. A good writer could have filled in those plot holes with little effort. I will probably watch the second season if I have nothing better to do but I won't be eagerly anticipating it.

I have struggled through season 1, watching all 7 episodes. I don;t think I'll be bothering with season 2, which has just been confirmed by Apple TV. It's the weakest scripted show on Apple TV yet.

The biggest annoyance is the refusal to actual tell us why they're on the run. Hell, the parents won't even tell their own kids. It's just a drip feed of tidbits every episode. And I find that incredibly annoying.

Every episode just seems to be finding a different way to get out of a corner they find themselves in. Without knowing why they're on the run, other than that the father upset the NSA somehow, it's impossible to feel any sympathy for them.

Honestly, spend 7 hours of your life doing something more worthwhile.