Prime Target

It's not quite clear who the audience is for this series. Is it trying to appeal to people wanting to engage with intriguing scientific theories? Or is it trying to appeal to Gen Z feeling misunderstood for their genius?

On the one hand teasing intriguing questions on the nature of science and mathematics. And how archaeology may unearth interesting new theories.

And then, a supposed math genius who in the Cambridge library system searches for "prime numbers"... And then doesn't find anything in the library catalogue about prime numbers because it's been deleted.

I mean... it isn't consistent to its own universe. And that is very disrupting.

It was definitely slow at first & if you let that take over your viewing you'll quit before becoming riveted. I know basic math so the premise of the prime number being a key to everything was perplexing at best. Luckily you don't need to be a math genius or any kind of genius for the plot to be both maddening & satisfying simultaneously. Keeping focused is very important. Not a series you can multi-task while watching. I'd disagree with the reviews critiquing the actors talent. I thought the acting was excellent. The end leaves a second season open in my opinion. Not a bad thing if you ask me. Well worth watching this unique Apple series just be patient.

Somewhat slow, everything is explained to the viewer at every stage so carry on with playboy or as background, you won't miss anything that won't be explained later. For example if the character uses an Apple computer then they're on the good side. If they don't, then..., we'll you get the point. It's an Apple+ (not sure what the+bestowes) production therefore anyone on planet earth who does not use products is defacto bad or misled. So much of this shallow drama is superficial and misleading it beggers belief. Time for a reality check, especially if you have to pay for this simplistic drivel. It gets 5* from me because the subscription is free!

The basic idea is great: the notion that a gov't might kill to keep a possible math shortcut, that would instantly render useless modern cryptography, from being discovered isn't totally ridiculous.

Though I'm sufficiently interested to finish the series, what sank this for me, as already mentioned by others, are things such as the "check-list" attributes assigned to characters and thus the selected actors. Consequently, I found the casting was hit and miss. That may have also been a result of the direction. E.g. In episode 5, particularly, one veteran actor may well have been given direction to "imagine Matthew Goode in the role and act like him".

And the script wasn't great.

6/10 means interesting enough to watch it through but prioritize other, much better, viewing options.

It started off strong, then went downhill. Poor acting from some, lack of emotional connection, and no interesting relationships. Could have been good, the story line was cool but lacked execution. Not up to Apple TV standards. Previously would feel comfortable watching anything on Apple TV knowing it would be good, but this show just ruined that standard for me.

Edward was played well and he did his job well, but the rest of them were terrible. The female character from NSA was so bad, felt like I couldn't watch her. Felt like the directors were throwing everything into the mix with them going to Baghdad, France and the UK. Seemed a bit all over the place.