What can I say about House of Guinness that might cut through the thick, dark pour of the brand it’s based on? Season 1 felt more like a slow pint than a bold story — eight episodes of not much happening. While loosely inspired by real figures, calling it “historical” is like saying Shark Tale was a marine documentary.
The plot meanders through some minor changes in Dublin following the death of the Guinness founder, with a mix of politics and romance that never really takes hold. The show clearly wants to be more than it is — the pacing is sluggish, and the modern Irish music clashes awkwardly with the historical setting.
The finale ends on a cliffhanger, hinting at a second season, which I’ll probably watch just to see if they finally discover a plot. But as far as season one goes — all head, no body.