I

"Disclaimer" S1 E1 sets the stage for a captivating psychological thriller, expertly weaving a tale of suspense and intrigue. The episode masterfully introduces the characters and their intertwined narratives, leaving viewers eager to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead.

Cate Blanchett delivers a compelling performance as Catherine Ravenscroft, a renowned journalist whose world is turned upside down when a mysterious novel exposes her darkest secret. The episode effectively establishes the unsettling atmosphere and the mounting tension as Catherine grapples with the implications of this revelation.

The episode's deliberate pacing and atmospheric cinematography create a sense of unease and anticipation. The use of flashbacks and shifting perspectives adds another layer of complexity, keeping viewers engaged and guessing.

Overall, "Disclaimer" S1 E1 is a strong start to a promising series. Its intriguing premise, compelling performances, and masterful direction make it a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers. The episode leaves you wanting more, eager to see how the story unfolds and what secrets will be revealed.

I can't believe so many people seem to like this series.

From the very beginning, you ask yourself, why would nobody question the source of the book? Who could possibly know what happened and is the omniscient narrator? But of course you also know, there is none. It's Jonathan's mother Nancy, and she can't know the story. So you know from the beginning, it must be fictional. But every character just seems to accept that fiction as something that really happened. What a huge logic error!

And of course you think, why is this the only storyline told? How would Catherine describe what happened? Because as far as I know, she is the only living person who can rember.

You keep wondering about these questions, only to learn that the ENTIRE PLOT builds on not asking them! So you can be so very surprised! How dumb do you have to be to really not having thought of this? Really cheap plot and ending, although it was well made and the actors played well. But this so called plot twist doesn't deserve to be called that. Disappointing.

Every time that Alfonso Cuarón finds it in his heart to bless us with another piece of his brilliant mind, it's good. He has had quite the hiatus since "Roma" in 2018, but like all other masters, he is not doing nothing, as he has been working on a new project for Apple TV+, based on Renée Knight's 2015 novel of the same name. This show is quite the vehicle for a lot of major stars, with Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline taking the lead. And if the first episode is any indication, this is going to be quite a compelling and intense viewing experience.

If there's anything to be sure of when you're watching an Alfonso Cuarón project, it's that the technical achievements are quite stunning. Not only does Cuarón team up with his old friend and collaborator Emmanuel Lubezki, but he also brings Bruno Delbonnel into the mix, immediately showing off an amazing visual prowess that gives the idea that Cuarón isn't kidding. The show is very much based in realism, so the imagery is not full of vivid imagination, but the wizards at work still find ways to get every drop of interest out of their shots, painting a beautiful tapestry that the show will unfold on. The episode shows off the show's really complex narrative, and it's layered with a lot of subplots running simultaneously and some even happening at another point in time. It's important to keep your eyes open, because the smallest detail could have some vital meaning and you really don't want to miss anything. The show crafts amazing intrigue with the plot about this novel coming out that could potentially paint Cate Blanchett's character in a negative light, that maybe also has a bit of truth to it, so there's immediately an exciting conflict that is able to grab the audience and keep them tuning in. Now, this isn't expanded on that much, as the episode mostly focuses on setting up the characters, but there's enough here to still craft an exciting first episode. Blanchett's performance, especially, stands out amidst a great ensemble, for its nuance and her vivid and manic dedication.

"I" brings the complexity that is expected in an Alfonso Cuarón project, as well as the visual beauty and the great performances, especially from Blanchett. It's a show that already seems like it could be too big for mainstream audiences, but anyone who considers themselves a fan of the cinematic arts will get something from this.

Disclaimer opens with promise but fails to deliver the gripping pilot we'd expect from Alfonso Cuarón and this stellar cast. While the premise is intriguing - a journalist's past catching up with her through a mysterious novel - Ep 1 feels surprisingly flat and exposition-heavy.

Cate Blanchett does solid work establishing Catherine as a successful but potentially flawed protagonist, but the script doesn't give her much to sink her teeth into. Kevin Kline fares better as the grieving Stephen, bringing genuine emotion to his discovery of his wife's manuscript, though his character's true intentions remain frustratingly vague.

Cuarón's direction feels surprisingly conventional, lacking the visual flair that made his prior work so compelling. The pacing is sluggish, with too much time spent on setup that could have been more efficiently handled. The parallel storytelling between Catherine and Stephen works conceptually but feels mechanical in execution.

The episode's biggest issue is its failure to create genuine tension or urgency. By the end, we understand the basic premise but don't feel emotionally invested in either character's journey. For a psychological thriller, Disclaimer needs to do more than simply establish its pieces... it needs to make us care about how they'll collide.

Rating: 6/10 - Adequate setup that promises more than it delivers.