Val Hoover (Film fan, book lover)

I will watch anything Clive Owen is in, but based on episode 1, i am having trouble following the plot and the blackmailing angle. But I've never been good at following mysteries. Some of the characters aren't clearly introduced, like the older woman who lives in the winery mansion with Sam. I guess it's his deceaaed wife's mother. Sam Spade is not a sympathetic character at this point, based on his detachment from the young girl....but perhaps that will be explained later. He may not have adopted her because he didn't feel he had a right to do that. I never understand how people can not be affectionate to children. Again, he may not have wanted her to become attached to him. Also, i don't really get why they made him kind of a ladies' man, when hard-boiled noir detectives are usually loners. I night need to read the original books again. Also, minor point...why is Clive Owen's hair died so black? It looks so fake. Shouldn't it be his more natural salt and pepper color, which is more suitable to the age of the character? He's also wearing too much matte makeup. Final minor issue...a few of the edits and transitions between scenes are abrupt...like when he's in the wine bar and meeting the female bar owner for a drink. Why the pause between his greeting and the next scene? This should have been shot as one continuous scene. Seems like lazy filmmaking to me. I agree with the other reviewer that the little brown car Sam drives is one of the best characters. Miss those old cars.