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I heard about 'DreamCorp LLC' from a video on YouTube. Years after finding myself engaged in the trippy visuals of A Scanner Darkly, and seeing that the same method was being used in this show, I decided to give it a go one night working a graveyard, and came back with a new favorite.
STORY
Each 11minute episode serves as a situational plot involving the staff of a dream evaluation clinic. The absurdity within the walls of DreamCorp's grungy office space is accentuated by the unique cast of characters: A pervy technician with agoraphobia, a science whiz assistant with no gauge for human interaction (who is replaced by another science whiz assistant in season 2), a nurse with a thing for fear and loathing, an Everyman recruited to the team after going delinquent on his medical bill, a robot with Stephen Merchant inside of it, and the fearless mad scientist leader of the group, Dr. Roberts.
Though his team is dysfunctional and barely medically licensed, the doctor always finds a way to breakthrough with his patients and get into the root causes of their emotional and mental hangups, all while trying to keep his patients and staff from killing each other and themselves.
-REVIEW-
The trailer didn't mince words when it showed me what the show was. Despite it's appearance as an absurd comedy with ridiculous Tim and Eric vibes and gimmicky art, DreamCorp actually turns out being a transcendent and somewhat endearing experience. The DreamCorp team descends into their patient's subconscious to deal with issues ranging from parental abandonment to irrational fears, and I found a few episodes really hitting close to home.
The effects seem gimmicky, but I felt like the producers did a really great job representing the incongruence and shifty nature of dreaming. When it came down to the character 88 having a trip on a hallucinogenic pickle in season 2, it felt like such an amazing experience for the character to have. Unfortunately, in the subsequent episodes, it almost seemed like that experience left 88 and didn't return. A plot with strong points does not make a strong plot.
The soundtrack was phenomenal. There were a few episodes that really evoked emotion with it's content and soundtrack. I'd advise keeping your soundhound handy.
-OVERALL 9/10-
A strongly measured show that feels like a mix of British absurdism, American medical drama, and workplace comedy surrounded by dreams and the human condition. Definitely worth the 30 bucks I dropped for both seasons. I'd advise watching with an open mind and empathy clicked on. You'll understand....and don't forget to subscribe to our rewards program.
score 9/10
Fehrsho 16 May 2020
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5742931/ |
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25-10-2020 20:22:07