Review by fraser-simons

While the performances are fairly uneven, I really enjoyed this adaptation of a book I really enjoyed. It's concerned with showing showing the casual damage family dynamics cause even with the privileged. Without communication skills people are just socialized into unfulfilling, cyclical abuse trauma. All with the backdrop of a mystery, which is more a whodunit than a whodunit.

The book is much better at keeping things interesting between the A plot and B plot by virtue of being in the heads of the characters, feeling more relatable, and dovetailing each kids' story with the overarching plot. The show isn't bad.

In fact, it's kind of funny reviews that dislike it say they gussed the ending right away, so it wasn't good, when the actual point is being able to emphasize with fallible people all thinking they're doing what's right for them and the family. Patting yourself on the back for being unable to empathize and being fixated on the mystery is a weird flex, but what can you expect from the general public, I guess.