Beth

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I don't think I've ever finished a series and came to the Google page to give a review but here I am. Four words: "Rest in peace, Socrates!" Four more: "Watch this show now!" I am not a football (soccer if you're American) fan or a Jason Sudeikis fan (seriously just looked up the spelling for the dude's surname about 5x not a fan) but I am a lover of quality television and that's been in very short supply lately. The British aspect mixed with Jason (and Coach) was such a brilliant juxtaposition and backdrop for this truly funny (yet truly touching) dramedy, easy on the drama because it isn't heavy-handed. I laughed. I teared up. I genuinely smiled and said an "oh gosh" or two. I cheered. (I did. Out loud. Arms raised. Real cheering!) Heck, I even yelled at the screen when I saw Giles is now evil and really old! I mean, Giles, librarian for Sunnydale and watcher for Buffy suddenly very nasty and bitter old man dating a woman old enough to be in eleventh grade (truly don't get age gaps in Hollywood -- cringy stuff). Made me even miss playing sports a bit ... and I've never even played sports. Not even a bit so that's some powerful show. Enjoy. Believe. And gradarius firmus victoria! (Oh, and if you've stuck it out this long, what sound DOES a British owl make? Look below.) "Whom. Whom."

I didn't go in with any bias to the show due to its writer, creator, and director, Joss Whedon. . Instead, I went in remembering his beloved previous television franchises and knowing I loved this new genre he was touching upon but I don't follow Whedon nor am I a fangirl. What I found was something so beautifully done in Victorian times with sets and costumes, deep layering of colors, visions and stories, that I was immediately sucked in to this new world. This new world has a LOT going on and if you need to be spoon fed every detail in nicely packed bits or enjoy your Victorian sci-fi on the bland side, this will not be for you. The 'touched' are a group who have certain special abilities and it would be fine to say it ended there but with with steam punk gadgets, an incredible cast of players, including Maladie (Amy Manson) who was as breathtaking in her introduction as she was frightening to watch. I found myself as captivated and thrilled by her acting more than all else even though the cast is solid. Maladie commanded her entry scene and had me genuinely terrified, which isn't an easy thing to pull off. It's been COVID, I've watched a little too much "murder TV" during it, and the character is based on an actual female serial killer but like some of Joss Whedon's more powerful and disturbed female characters, she takes madness to a height where you're transfixed. The protagonist, Laura Donnelly, is pitch perfect and helps to ground the cast, the storyline, and the fantastical elements moving all around us including a giant girl. Every character, most played by some very well known actors, all delivered big. There wasn't a moment of boredom to be had. I can't tell you how odd it felt to have moments of genuine laughter again, genuine surprise, and genuine astonishment. It reminded me of everything that's supposed to be great about television but rarely gets seen -- quality while still giving you a complex and brilliant cast of characters. I applaud the premiere and can only say one word: MORE! If you are going in merely to be against Joss Whedon and protest any work from him, don't waste your time but if you're a fan of scifi, fantasy, Victorian England, and have noticed a huge drought and lackluster shows being the remains of the day, fasten your steampunk buggy belt and hold on! You're in for a treat!