Skip to main content

The Alienist




I had mixed feelings about this show. It’s a good one, can’t really deny that, but, for me, it’s also a bit too slow. The first few episodes were somehow boring and I merely didn’t stop watching because I was too curious about who the killer was.

I think the production team focuses mainly on giving the show a huge psychological intensity. I wouldn’t say that was a complete failure, but it did lack something. I’m a psychologist, I love criminal psychology and even I found myself bored at some points. They focused mostly on the occult side of the mind, showing the alienist far outside practical reality. Maybe it was like that in the XIX century, but it makes the show too slow, which might tire you. 

After a couple episodes, I finally started to feel emerged in the XIX century atmosphere. As the events unfolded, and the empathy with some of the characters grew, I could finally start feeling as a part of the investigation group, turning the show way more interesting as a result.

The characters are definitely good, however, they only gain enough depth (at least in a meaningful way) after a few episodes.

Generally speaking, the show can indeed work to make us curious, and the atmosphere, the characters, the story are good so we end up wanting to know more. However, it did struggle a bit to make me attached to it all and glued to the screen for hours.

I can’t see a lot of story to keep going on a second season, though Dr. Kreizler’s disappointment in the last episode might be the beginning of something new. However, I’m not sure that would be enough to get me to watch more of it. It’s a decent show, but by no means overwhelming and it tends to be a little on the slow-paced side.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

This is not the sort of show which I usually talk about on this blog. However, as a psychologist, I’m usually quite curious in regards to criminals and their minds; and one of these days I started watching this documentary on Netflix . Taking into consideration the kind of thing this is, I can’t say I ‘liked’ it. I mean what you see in there is nothing to like, but I was rather terrified, which is probably the usual response. Nonetheless, it was definitely a good documentary. The eyes of a killer Everything displayed in this story was terrible. The descriptions, Bundy’s posture, everything seemed like some sort of horror show, putting into perspective what we may consider to be lucky or unlucky in this life. Before I even start watching it, I read somewhere that this was the kind of thing you shouldn’t watch alone. Sounds accurate right now. At the time, and considering my, mostly academic, experience, I didn’t think that this could actually be so upsetting. ...

Young Sheldon – A Heartfelt and Hilarious Journey

  Young Sheldon is a delightful surprise, blending humor, heart, and a touch of nostalgia. As a prequel to The Big Bang Theory , the show offers insight into the childhood of Sheldon Cooper, one of the most iconic characters in modern TV.  A Show That Grows Beyond Sheldon While you may start watching due to curiosity about Sheldon's early years, it soon becomes clear that this is not just about his childhood. The show includes an incredible variety of characters with their own charm and depth. Mary (Sheldon's religious yet compassionate mother), George (his often misunderstood father), and his siblings, Missy and Georgie, are all given their own moments to shine.  The cast and their chemistry make this show stand out. You start to care about each character's struggles and triumphs. This show quickly stands on its own as a heartfelt, family-driven sitcom. Especially in its last seasons, the show becomes a touching portrayal of small-town life, family dynamics, and persona...

Emily in Paris 3: The Good, the Bad, and the Unrealistic

  The third season of Emily in Paris got a lot of hate and love among the viewers. People can’t decide if it was the best season or the worst of all. And I understand why. We start the season with Emily’s life in perfect chaos, and she doesn’t seem to know what she wants. She never does… Is this good for the plot? Maybe. Is this annoying? Sometimes. So… why can’t we stop watching it? Are you feeling frustrated? Me too. She doesn’t know what she wants. She can’t make a decision, not in her love life, not in her job… And it is not because she wants it all. She is not mature enough to say no and own her decision and its consequences. Emily comes across as a spoiled little girl. The problem is that she is the main character, yet, Mindy starts to feel way more interesting than her. Also, any other character on the show is funnier than Emily, namely her co-workers, who apparently are very bad at their jobs and need her to save them with every single client… How did they keep the company...