henryshear

The story of the Cocaine Cowboys was something that I was completely unaware of prior to watching this series. The exploits of drug lords such as Pablo Escobar are interesting, but Sal and Willie forever changed Miami and America forever.

Unlike most other drug traffickers, Sal and Willie were non-violent. They were absolutely beloved and considered icons in Miami. Even news stories called them by their first names. The money they earned from drugs was then given to others desperate for help.

Yet the government was committed to making sure both Sal and Willie lived their lives in prison. The tons of cocaine that they sold in the US most likely killed millions of people and destroyed countless lives. Their vendetta spanned decades and the series does a beautiful job of interviewing agents, attorneys and associates that really demonstrate the government's tenacity.

I enjoyed watching this series very much. The story was so interesting and I loved every moment. I highly suggest watching every episode and thank you for reading my review.

I had very little knowledge pertaining to John DeLorean aside from Back to the Future and that there was a criminal case in the 80s related to drugs. This docuseries did an amazing job of recounting his story, but it was somewhat of a nuisance to watch.

There was a film reel on the left side of the screen when older footage was shown. It was greatly distracting and I wish that there was a way for it to be removed. I found the theme to also be somewhat annoying; I know it sounds picky to attack the theme, but it was so overused. I tried to ignore all of what I said above because of how much I loved the story.

DeLorean was someone absolutely obsessed with his own image. His persona was critical to him, even more so than the well-being of others around him. This character trait of his stems from his childhood and events that happened to him during that period completely influenced his decisions in his adult years. His entire life is examined which is something I appreciated.

I do not want to disclose too much about the series in this review. It might have been slightly irritating to watch since some effects, such as music and the film reel, were done too repetitively yet it was still decent. The story of John DeLorean (his rise and fall) is so rich and full of intrigue. For anyone curious in cars or DeLorean, it is a revealing exploration into who he is.

I highly suggest watching the show. Just know that it is slightly annoying and that if you pay attention to the story, it is entertaining. Thank you for reading this review.

This is one of the shows that I actually protested watching. My mom had the theme as her ringtone and I was tortured by the very sound constantly as a child. So, when she sat me down and said I should watch the first episode, I was stunned by how much I fell in love with the vast array of characters.

The Countess of Grantham, played by the brilliant Maggie Smith, was the most entertaining element of the series. Her words were scathing, biting and subtly (and sometimes bluntly) condescending. She's also the emotional core of the family since she was the former matriarch. I am nothing like her, but I felt a deep respect for her.

I did, however, relate to the Earl of Grantham and Carson. Both are leaders of Downton Abbey yet one rules upstairs and the other downstairs. I appreciate their fairness and dedication to others around them. There is a gentlemanlike quality that both possess that I wish others had in society.

The other characters are amazing as well. Mr. Bates, Anna and Molesley are all lovely. Some characters are quite distasteful such as Lady Mary. She is conniving, manipulative and narcissistic. Unfortunately, this remains consistent throughout the entire series.

There are a lot of characters that come in and out of Downton Abbey. Some are servants who leave for other opportunities or others pass away. In this way, it is a soap opera. Most of the plots are actually absurd, but it is lovely to watch. Downton Abbey is so peaceful and calming despite the drama. My personal opinion is that it is a reminder of how one should act civil and polite. Hopefully we can all act like the Granthams in our daily lives (besides Lady Mary of course).

I highly suggest this series. Thank you for reading this review and, as always, I hope that you found it to be insightful.