lhollan

There's a lot to absorb in this documentary. The horror of natural disasters, the inaccuracy of weather forecasting in an age of technology, the importance of competent leadership and decision-making, the underlying injustices we harbor fueled by shaky perceptions, the dangers of victimhood even when people are truly victims, and the God-like need to care for one another--person-to-person--without regard for station in life, race, or beliefs. Episodes 1 and 2 point directly--and rightly--to the breakdown of leadership, the inability of the highest Fed to the local mayor to function efficiently at the cost of thousands of lives. The chaos is overwhelming, and it's jarring to relive that tragedy, this time with more insight into the deep layers of failure. Episode 3, which draws stylistic criticism, is moving as well, but raises controversy. Yes, the culture of New Orleans was severely wounded, and the rebuilding of Ward 9 was vastly unpopular--as suggested--mostly by white leaders. However, that theory is too simplistic because these breakdowns are evident throughout America, as seen in the abandonment of the Rust Belt, as well as among coal miners and steel workers. The Government is just too complicated to make the rapid progress America experienced when places like New Orleans were organically cultivated and thrived. One thing is for sure: I will visit New Orleans soon, spend some money there, and hope to see the cultural light once shining from the Gulf throughout the world. I recommend all 3 episodes of this series.

There's a point where you have to look at content for what it is, not for what it was intended to be. This content looks pretty, and is intended to give viewers a sense of calm...but it doesn't work. These people are tense. The actions are boring, including watching people arrange weed-like flowers and preparing edibles with no newness. Should we all have pre-made dough in our freezers? I dunno... More than boredom, there is a lack of relevance--a veil between this staged "whatever" and people's lives. The banter is forced and boring, the laughter is not authentic, and we feel that guests have been instructed to be nice, be supportive, and issue praise...repeating the same terms ad nauseam: joy, good time, happy. Spend the time watching this series and we end up with a nagging feeling of...."What's the point of this?" Can this person really believe she's sharing love? It's a deluded sense of reality and it's surprising that Netflix has prolonged the inevitable: People are bored with Meghan Markle and her "story."

I had high hopes for this series, but it turned out that the lead actor, Leo Woodall, mostly mumbles and seems to have the acting range of a cardboard cutout. I understand there could be an intensity to underplaying a role, but he takes it too far. It's as if the director thought Woodall's deep and somewhat "off" eyes could carry the part. Then there's an obnoxious and very unbelievable young agent, Quintessa Swindell, who seems...annoyed...all the time. These people are not very likable. The plot was very promising and intriguing, but it collapsed on itself by episode 5 in a mangled mess of story threads of good people and bad people that make you forget why you're watching this thing. Unfortunately, the boredom sets in. And that's always bad for an 8-episode series. I wish Woodall the best, but--shucks--there's only one Brando, few people can pull off the underplay technique.