What Happened to my Excellent Comedy Series?
I am a huge fan of Barry, since the very first episode of season 1. I loved the blend of comedy and character study. The show even had memorable characters that were killed off in the very first episode, or in one or two other cases, sometime in the first season.
NoHo Hank was and is obviously one of the main sources of comedy in the show. Barry himself was always a little aloof, disturbed, and overwhelmed with inner conflict.
But even he and Sally had their funny moments, especially early on.
Barry getting sucked into an acting class by pure chance was a great source for still YET MORE comedy, with all the characters in that class. And I still miss the as mentioned character that lost his life in the very first episode. Especially after the 3rd rewatch of season 1.
Season 1 was strong all the way through. Season 2 was more of the same if a slight downtick to the more funny elements, with several characters left to still add that dead pan wit, and other absurdities from a variety of characters.
After the long, long wait for season 3, I could not have been more relived it was finally back on the air.
And season 3 started off well enough, if a little lacking in that comedy and character study balance that was nearly perfect in season 1, and nearly as much so in season 2.
As season 3 rolled along, I was starting to fear that they had used up most of their best ideas for the characters funny moments in the first two seasons. That said, they STILL had good ideas, some of them funny, fewer of them actual compelling drama... scattered among most, not all, of season 3's episodes...
There was still enough clever ideas, compelling... enough story lines, and characters I cared about enough to keep watching. But these were sandwiched between many moments that were just not compelling.
The magic, while not at all gone by any means, was somewhat muted in this 3rd season.
Nothing though, could have prepared me for the finale of season 3. Not a bad episode per se, but certainly all the charm and wit was gone.
Seriously, this show had charm and wit. Where is it? The dark turn toward heavy drama was not the breath stopping deep dive that others here seem to be under the impression of. Obviously, in my opinion.
It was all so serious in this episode, and none of it was particularly original or engaging. Which they tried to make up for in heavy handedness.
Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to season 4, as I sure that even a weak season of Barry is still a welcome change of a TV show, even if it can no longer reach the dizzying highs of the first 2 seasons.
I watched seasons 1 and 2 three, maybe 4 times by now.
I will be shocked if I feel at all compelled to rewatch season 3. Ever.
Anyways, still, bring on season 4! I guess.
NoHo Hank was and is obviously one of the main sources of comedy in the show. Barry himself was always a little aloof, disturbed, and overwhelmed with inner conflict.
But even he and Sally had their funny moments, especially early on.
Barry getting sucked into an acting class by pure chance was a great source for still YET MORE comedy, with all the characters in that class. And I still miss the as mentioned character that lost his life in the very first episode. Especially after the 3rd rewatch of season 1.
Season 1 was strong all the way through. Season 2 was more of the same if a slight downtick to the more funny elements, with several characters left to still add that dead pan wit, and other absurdities from a variety of characters.
After the long, long wait for season 3, I could not have been more relived it was finally back on the air.
And season 3 started off well enough, if a little lacking in that comedy and character study balance that was nearly perfect in season 1, and nearly as much so in season 2.
As season 3 rolled along, I was starting to fear that they had used up most of their best ideas for the characters funny moments in the first two seasons. That said, they STILL had good ideas, some of them funny, fewer of them actual compelling drama... scattered among most, not all, of season 3's episodes...
There was still enough clever ideas, compelling... enough story lines, and characters I cared about enough to keep watching. But these were sandwiched between many moments that were just not compelling.
The magic, while not at all gone by any means, was somewhat muted in this 3rd season.
Nothing though, could have prepared me for the finale of season 3. Not a bad episode per se, but certainly all the charm and wit was gone.
Seriously, this show had charm and wit. Where is it? The dark turn toward heavy drama was not the breath stopping deep dive that others here seem to be under the impression of. Obviously, in my opinion.
It was all so serious in this episode, and none of it was particularly original or engaging. Which they tried to make up for in heavy handedness.
Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to season 4, as I sure that even a weak season of Barry is still a welcome change of a TV show, even if it can no longer reach the dizzying highs of the first 2 seasons.
I watched seasons 1 and 2 three, maybe 4 times by now.
I will be shocked if I feel at all compelled to rewatch season 3. Ever.
Anyways, still, bring on season 4! I guess.
- mdc2275
- Jun 17, 2022