Death and Other Details

The series has an affable comedic mystery tone, interesting stock characters, decent performances and an engaging pace. Direction and dialogue are generally good.

The main detective repeatedly breaks the fourth wall to exort the audience to pay attention to details and nudges us to notice things. We're apparently meant to follow along and solve the case with (or, if we're sharp enough, ahead of) the protagonists. It's a nice concept for a mystery series but the writers don't even try to pull it off. Instead whenever they paint themselves into a corner they use a flashback to add facts, information, scenes and/or backstories that retroactively alter previous events. No matter how closely you pay attention you can't notice details that won't exist until a flashback exposition dump three episodes later. The writing turns an active concept into passive viewing.

I wanted to like this show. I love murder mysteries and I wanted something to fill the between-seasons void of Only Murders in the Building. Unfortunately, Death and Other Details is not it. For starters, the protagonist is a selfish, self-centred, privileged brat who you find yourself rooting against. It's so blatant that even the other characters call her out on it. The amateur writing is evident in the dialogue that often contradicts that of the characters. What also destroys the potential of this series is the constant repetition of scenes. Flashbacks are one thing, but they often show you large chunks of the same scene two or three times and sometimes in the same episode. At eight episodes in, I find myself hoping the villain just murders them all and calls it a day. It is clear that they tried to make this show clever, but it's poorly executed and sloppy. There are some great actors in the series (Mandy Patinkin, Rahul Kohli, Linda Emond, Karoline), it's just a shame that their talent is wasted on this sinking ship.

I must admit I am a sucker for mystery TV shows and a whodunnit gets my juices flowing but this just mystery is dragging. Like who did it already? I'm at episode 8 and I'm fatigued. That is one of my pet peeves with whodunnit mysteries. This show could have easily been 8 solid episodes.

However, one thing I did like is how they placed Imogene in Coatsworth's clothes and set as they are recollecting past events. That was pretty inventive. Other than that, it has been an ok ride. The characters are too many. I would have liked more character development for the Collier family and the Mayor. The Priest character seems just as unnecessary as the social media influencer son.

Nevertheless, I have already invested 8 weeks...what's 2 more lol. Let's hope I don't regret it.

I feel like I've been watching for months.

I can't remember anyone's name.

The business deal is odd. People at this level should have a better ability to evaluate investment.

What episode am I on. Am I supposed to care about the death of that lady's mother. Why are there so many scenes going nowhere.

The photography is perfect. Composition and montage and lighting is all done away.

The characters are opaque. It's hard to care about them.

Rahul and Hugo make the most of their scenes.

Mandy's accent needed more work.

Violett's hair makes this feel like an SNL skit.

How am I still watching this.

It is quite obvious that this is meant to be a highbred of white lotus and only murders. And that is completely fine with me. Because in the two episodes I've seen it all seems to be paying off.

The visual style goes along way in helping this voyage be a pleasure cruise. Our story seems to take place in present day, Although the costume design and art direction say otherwise. The acting is top notch and the writing is so far good enough to keep the viewer engaged.

The story as it goes is about an unlikeable person being murdered. So we are never really meant to care about the victim. We are just here for the ride.