Advertised as one of the best TV shows ever, my expectations were high. That's dangerous. It can result in disappointment. And partly I'm disappointed. Overall, the praise is justified. Even 25 years later this is a great first season, despite what I'm about to criticize later in this comment.
Let's start with the positive: the slow pace, the focus on details, histrionic performances, camera work, that's all top notch. I like the focus on (Freudian) psychology and multi-faceted anti heroes. All criminals are disturbingly weak. They have family problems, they have illnesses, they make mistakes, they are depressed, they have relatives that are old, feeble or have Alzheimer's. I profoundly enjoy the story that unfolds and it just has even started. I can't even binge watch this show. The show wasn't designed to be binge-watched. I feel that I must respect the snail's pace. And I appreciate this. Best episode: College.
What didn't I like? Basically everything I didn't like about The Godfather. Sometimes, the Italian stereotypes are one-dimensional and borderline racist. Some figures seem to be motivated to do what they do only because they are Italo-American. Seriously, some of them talk like they watched The Godfather too many times. Seriously who talks like that? Mafia capi in Lilyhammer? But Lilyhammer was a comedy right? Like in The Godfather, you immediately realize that they are evil and that their business is huge but you never understand what they really do. What do they actually do? How does that work? How many "employees" does he have? That's not just his five henchmen right and a few exotic dancers, right? Is there a legitimate business side and an illegitimate business side? What's with that waste management part? Is that actually his main business? Or is that just a cover-up? Or was there never a waste management branch at all? What else does he do? Money extortion? Protection money schemes? How do logistics work? How does money laundering work? Who are their competitors? How rich are they really? Is that the lifestyle they can afford or are they really much more affluent? How does the wider criminal organization work? How do they share profits? How do they collaborate? Who is who's boss? How significant is Tony's stake? That's all questions that are basically unanswered. Like in The Godfather you learn next to nothing about this and you get the impression that their main job is to preserve personal mental health and keep the family intact and happy. But that's certainly not all it takes to make money.
That's however only the premiere season and there's so much potential. I'm looking forward to it.
Review by Alexander von LimbergBlockedParent2023-12-30T17:16:44Z— updated 2024-02-15T19:29:58Z
Advertised as one of the best TV shows ever, my expectations were high. That's dangerous. It can result in disappointment. And partly I'm disappointed. Overall, the praise is justified. Even 25 years later this is a great first season, despite what I'm about to criticize later in this comment.
Let's start with the positive: the slow pace, the focus on details, histrionic performances, camera work, that's all top notch. I like the focus on (Freudian) psychology and multi-faceted anti heroes. All criminals are disturbingly weak. They have family problems, they have illnesses, they make mistakes, they are depressed, they have relatives that are old, feeble or have Alzheimer's. I profoundly enjoy the story that unfolds and it just has even started. I can't even binge watch this show. The show wasn't designed to be binge-watched. I feel that I must respect the snail's pace. And I appreciate this. Best episode: College.
What didn't I like? Basically everything I didn't like about The Godfather. Sometimes, the Italian stereotypes are one-dimensional and borderline racist. Some figures seem to be motivated to do what they do only because they are Italo-American. Seriously, some of them talk like they watched The Godfather too many times. Seriously who talks like that? Mafia capi in Lilyhammer? But Lilyhammer was a comedy right? Like in The Godfather, you immediately realize that they are evil and that their business is huge but you never understand what they really do. What do they actually do? How does that work? How many "employees" does he have? That's not just his five henchmen right and a few exotic dancers, right? Is there a legitimate business side and an illegitimate business side? What's with that waste management part? Is that actually his main business? Or is that just a cover-up? Or was there never a waste management branch at all? What else does he do? Money extortion? Protection money schemes? How do logistics work? How does money laundering work? Who are their competitors? How rich are they really? Is that the lifestyle they can afford or are they really much more affluent? How does the wider criminal organization work? How do they share profits? How do they collaborate? Who is who's boss? How significant is Tony's stake? That's all questions that are basically unanswered. Like in The Godfather you learn next to nothing about this and you get the impression that their main job is to preserve personal mental health and keep the family intact and happy. But that's certainly not all it takes to make money.
That's however only the premiere season and there's so much potential. I'm looking forward to it.