Dark (2017-2020)

A huge mind fuck. I've never seen Twin Peaks, but I think you can compare this series to that or Lost rather than Stranger Things. It doesn't look like the latter at all.

I really liked the first season. I've always liked movies about time travel and scientific theories, but I haven't seen that well worked out in a series before. I would advise not to watch this alone. Not because it's scary, but because you actually want to constantly speculate with someone about what's going to happen and check whether you're still following the story.

That may also be the downside of this series: it wants too much in the first season. For example, three time periods (or actually four, if you include the last scene) are explored in depth. I would then choose to start with two periods and maybe add a third at the end of the season. This made sure you were constantly watching new characters for the first few episodes and it was hard to keep track of who was who.

The series was also very well put together. The camera work and music were top notch, the actors came across believable and don't get stuck with real plot holes. Yes, there are still many unanswered questions, but I'm confident they will be answered in the next seasons.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Don't judge a show by it's first episodes.

I watched the last episode of season 2 last night. Hopefully I don't have to wait until my birthday for the third season, because I'm completely over now. After months, this is my second attempt. Or actually third attempt with season 1. Because again I got into it with difficulty. At episode 7, the switch was suddenly turned. That episode really touched me. Then I started again because I had been watching with half an eye. As a result, I had missed too much, which is not useful with a series like this. Now that I could have followed it better, Episode 8 even grabbed me by the throat. The thought 'everything has already happened' came to my mind and it gave me an ice cold feeling. I find that more captivating than many horror films. Although I know the theories by now, this series knows how to link a few with each other. What I do miss in for example Fringe. Also a very nice series, but it ended up being too chaotic for me. Dark somehow manages to connect the philosophical, scientific and religious thoughts well in my opinion (or does my head do that subconsciously?) and turns it into a beautiful looking drama. Besides the visual image, I also love the music. On the one hand, the wonderful 80s music, but on the other hand also the music that sets the atmosphere. (Although at times it is a bit too present.) I am in any case completely in love with Familiar by Agnes Obel.
Agnes Obel performing "Familiar" Live on KCRW - YouTube - m.youtube.com

Hopefully I can watch season 3 just as mesmerized. Somehow I'm afraid they'll milk it too much but I'm oh so curious how it goes. I hope season 3 catches up with me.

Translated from Dutch · View original

Unfortunately. In its final season, this initially enjoyable series descends into a tiresome, endlessly repetitive series of dialogues and "revelations" that no longer contain anything exciting or mysterious. 'You can/can't/yes/can't/yes/can't change it! You must/don't/do/not trust him'. So-and-so lied!. Etcetera. The episodes also seem to get longer and longer, while they often contain less than fifteen minutes of noteworthy developments. A series that gets entangled in its own attempts to be as complex and inimitable as possible, while losing sight of the viewing pleasure factor. The extremely weak lock completes the deception.

Translated from Dutch · View original