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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.

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