Whitney_T

The first season is a good, slow detective story. There are moments that are a bit dramatic, but the way the story shows how Danny's murder impacts the community is handled very thoughtfully. There are some really beautiful, emotional moments as well as scenes that are just nice to watch.

I do think the way the killer is discovered could've been done a bit better (and the weirdness could've been turned down on some of the other suspects), but that's nitpicking. The first season is good and Olivia is absolutely wonderful.

Then there's the second season... The love from the writers in the first season is nowhere to be found in the second season. The characters (with the exception of Ellie) become more absurd and dramatic. None of the lawyers are likable, enjoyable to watch and they don't seem particularly good at their jobs; it's pure, emotional-baiting drama. The courtroom scenes are unbearable, and the whole premise is absurd. Not to mention the storyline of Claire/Lee which is lazy, weird and poorly executed.

I made it halfway through the 4th episode in the second season but couldn't do it anymore. I read a synopsis and feel grateful for trusting my gut. This would've been great as a miniseries, or if they would've just introduced a new case each season. But sadly, what started out with potential fell into the trap of drama for the sake of drama with no real storytelling.

There are moments of this series that are good but far more that left me asking questions.

Sometimes it felt like a world of powerful, self-destructive women, other times felt supernatural, while part of it felt like a confused love story. All layered beneath childhood trauma and kitschy subplots.

I don't know who I'm supposed to like or relate to because no one is normal; there is no single person that gives you any contrast to the crazy, so there's really no outline of what "normal" is supposed to be. The plot and character arcs are all frolicking in a field of gray humor and aimless writing. You're thrown breadcrumbs through the whole show that just lead to thicker forest and then to an abrupt, weird ending with no real explanation for it.

I am genuinely confused by this series and unsure what its focus was supposed to be. It's not pretentious but it's also not honest; it's a unique vision that feels like a mess.

It's stupid and it's cheesy, but because it's apparent that everyone is aware of how ridiculous this movie is, it works.

You absolutely need to suspend all expectations (and logic), but it has enough charm to keep the momentum going when you just accept it at face value. The bit of tongue-in-cheek humor definitely separates it from the flavorless Hallmark formula of "small town girl and guy she initially hates fall in love".

Not bad for Holiday love story movie if you're in the mood for something a bit different.