A Slow Burner

kiaranah

It took until roughly episode three for this show to find its stride, but once it did it's really enjoyable.

Yes, Dan and Arin's acting chops aren't as good as the rest of the cast and it did show a lot at times, but I feel that they still held their own for this being their first classic acting show. As for the humour either took a few episodes to get into the groove, or perhaps it just takes a couple episodes to get into the tone of the show as a viewer, but either way the jokes had me and my housemates cackling at a rapid rate from episode three ownwards.

It really does have that Community feeling to it, whether that's a product of Dan Harmon producing or just the creators of this show also dig that vibe, I love it. The ominous credit scenes were my favourite—very reminiscent of the darker tone of Community season six's end scenes. They were just so dark and so ominous from script to music that I couldn't help but laugh my ass off, even when the poor game creator died at the end I was still laughing because of how ridiculous yet perfect the dark tone was.

The formula of focusing each episode on one member of the team definitely worked, especially as a first season. I think there's something in each one of these characters that the audience can find relatable, and Sam was a particular shining star tome. It was nice to see a wide range of race, gender and sexualities represented while they were all still multifaceted characters, and the kind that you both love parts of and hate parts of.

Editing and music was one of the subtle highlights—the team involved with that did an amazing job, highlighting the point of every seen from zany comedy to the ominous but hilarious end scenes. I don't think the show would work half as much without such tight editing and music.

So, though I wasn't hooked from the first episode, by then end I was completely sold, and even my housemate who has no interesting in gaming came in halfway and loved it. My only gripe is that I wish it wasn't on Youtube Red, because I'm sure a lot of viewers who would love this show and help it be successful probably won't be tuning in. Regardless, I'm gunning for a second season.

score 8/10

kiaranah 20 October 2017

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3837099/