Susan Minsos

All contemporary societies have their authorities and their manners but wait. Can nation states pass laws with enough teeth to dominate all sub-national societies? What about a nation’s gangster societies, which operate outside the law? Guy Ritchie, conjoining the ridiculous with the dark, asks that very question. The answer, it seems, is no. In Richie’s mirror, humans are fundamentally stupid, greedy, inventive, brave, nuts, violent, and funny. And natural-born crooks. Great series.

Subtle messages mixed in with the obvious themes (science and religion a la Texas) make this show surprisingly excellent— a spin-off which is an improvement on the parent. Marvellous and endearing characters-all, each knows what he or she knows: in their own way, everyone is an expert (a kind of genius). A fan can say with admiration about Young Sheldon, “Thar she blows. Moby Dick. Book.”

Positively awful. Acting ok but script and plot are so simple-minded and offensive they’re insulting.