Wildcat Is Down

I'm writing this in May, months after the first season has dropped, because I had a hunch that this would not be the type of series I want to wait a week for, and it's not.

I knew the bare minimum about the premise and also had the inkling that maybe things are not exactly what they seem. If you're familiar with the Twilight Zone old-timey town sets - this looks like a very nice re-creation if not the originals - you will get the picture.

The cast is very good, particularly James Marsden as a Kennedy-esque president. I like the way they don't ignore the lead character's race either. The storytelling and dialogue is realistic and honest.

Once the other shoe dropped, I became very interested in exactly where they are going with this. Not sure how many seasons they can string this out for, but that's not the problem right now.

If you're a fan of cinema and you are looking for a TV show that perfectly sets up characters, mystery and plot that still leaves plenty of intriguing development that hooks it's audience, this is it.

The blend of captivating cinematography (without trying to hard) mixed with sleek editing of stunning performances and sound that marries it all together, this is a polished piece of filmmaking that goes beyond the typical laziness of current streaming shows.

The believable casting allows the actors to shine on top form for how natural they appear in these roles as the writing gives nuggets of information that keeps us the viewer in the palm of their hands.

THIS is what you want in a pilot. Non stop intrigue. Grippingly engaging. Twists up until the very last second. Truly this show was excellent and EVERYONE should give it a try. From the writer of This Is Us, but it's entirely different from This Is Us and feels really original. Sterlings acting is top notch (as to be expected), and they didn't come to play with the supporting cast either.

You'll recognize James Marsden from X-MEN, Dead To Me, The Notebook, etc. And he's SO good in this. This episode alone made me feel like this may be my favorite role of his.

Don't read ANYTHING. Just go in blind and get ready to enjoy yourself. I have a feeling this one is going to be one to remember.

Watching the pilot for "Paradise", I couldn't help thinking about Gerard Butler ("Olympus Has Fallen", etc.), as the story unfolds about the man (Sterling K. Brown) charged with guarding the president. But it doesn't take long for Brown to own the role.

With his grim, jaw-clenched mien, Brown is a riveting presence, with the series playing as nearly a one-man show in its opening reel. But then, with perceptive flashbacks intercut, the main issue is introduced, and the pressure increases on Brown as clearly an Atlas with the weight of the world on his shoulders. We only get a glimpse of co-star Julianne Nicholson (a great actress and my former neighbor upstairs in our Chelsea co-op), as many hints and even surreal images build a sense of dread all leading up to the segment's powerhouse conclusion, taking the thriller directly into sci-fi territory.

The show comes from the creators of the Kiefer Sutherland miniseries "Rabbit Hole", which I found to be phony and irritating. But they also made Brown's hit "This Is Us". I'm watching it via the current ABC reruns and have somehow maintained blissful ignorance of any and all story spoilers.

So far the show is quite compelling. It is somehow both a slow pace but also spell binding intrigue.

Much of this show has been done many times before. Yet this one does it slightly different. I hope it can keep this tempo. And I hope it can stay this interesting.

The show also has good twist reveals. But also still holding the cards close to the chest so that you can still be excited for future reveals

Filler for word min

So far the show is quite compelling. It is somehow both a slow pace but also spell binding intrigue.

Much of this show has been done many times before. Yet this one does it slightly different. I hope it can keep this tempo. And I hope it can stay this interesting.

The show also has good twist reveals. But also still holding the cards close to the chest so that you can still be excited for future reveals.