markgawry

I just completed S1-E3 and have to get this out of my head.

I'll probably watch the whole series because it's an interesting enough drama/mystery. The acting is fine. The directing seems at least mediocre. The writing is reasonably good drama, but did anyone on this project consult an expert or two.

There are immense issues with the way the arctic winter environment and the tools, clothes, skills, etc. Necessary to function are portrayed. Literally every character seems like a theater kid's conception of their functional stereotype. People, particularly skilled intelligent outdoors-people and scientists do not behave this way...AT ALL. The outdoor wardrobe choices are ridiculous.

Having worked outdoors at -20 to -30+ degree F, I may be a bit judgmental. At 10-20 below or beyond you do not go out without face protection and goggles. If you're spending significant time, you're also wearing arctic boots, mittens, and down pants. Your hood is definitely up and pulled tight around your face. And that's the tip of the iceberg. The writers blew it on loads of cold related details.

That said, it's an interesting enough mystery drama to continue watching. I'll try to revise this review after watching the rest of the series.

For now I'd say this series is entertainment junk food. Not exactly filling or wildly delicious, but tasty enough to nibble while having a beer on the sofa.

Like the rest of the series, the suspension of disbelief required to watch is immense. This episode also required setting aside one's logic and reason.

As usual the writing was sappy and melodramatic. The characters cartoonish. The CGI weak at best. The acting by many was wooden...stilted. But then again, the script was terrible making the actors' job impossible.

Nonetheless, the fast pace and silly drama did manage to keep my interest through the entire episode.

This series is based on an interesting premise and had the potential to be great. Unfortunately the execution was less than mediocre in all aspects.

Unfortunately the acting couldn't carry this stinker. I don't know where to start. There's a lot.

The production quality was less than mediocre. Poor quality digital effects such as numerous cheesy nighttime outdoor skies in scenes obviously done on a set. Tons of instances of things not being period correct. There were dialogue issues; like when the car salesman bragged about the 7.2 liter engine in an Olds 442; or the home decor (interior paint colors for instance) that was more 21st century than early '70's.

The expectations regarding suspension of disbelief were a bit much as well. The story would have been better and a lot more plausible without the cliche native American paranormal hooey.

I also found it funny that people working hard outdoors in the desert had spotlessly clean clothes. No dirt and dust. No enormous sweat and/or salt stains. The cars were also much too clean for having just been driven on dirt roads in the desert.

The basic plot and story arc without the paranormal crap had potential. It's too bad about the sub-par writing and the lack of production quality.