If I had given up because it was a tiny bit slower than the pace I was expecting up until about 3/4 of the way through the first episode, I'd have missed some fantastic entertainment. It was probably only slow to me because I'd just finished watching the movie about Cleveland mobster, Danny Greene, so my pulse was still pounding a bit. (I tend to really like biographical stories). This is a great story full of some really unexpected twists and very real and flawed characters who just pull you into the story even more. I loved it. The actors are not known to me --I'm in western Canada-- but that doesn't mean anything, because I usually forget the actors and only remember their characters if they've done a good job (plus I'm kind of ditzy with names). And they did an incredible job. If it were a regular TV show, I'd probably go and get cable again (I mostly rely on books and movies lately). Thank you to my friend, KJ, for insisting I watch it.