Homecoming

I enjoyed the first season of this show, it was a slow burn that kept me hooked although a bit confusing at times. Having just binged the second season, I have to say it is even better. The acting is great, the camera work and directing excellent and the story moves along at a good pace. Even with what we already knew from the first season there was a good mystery element that played out from the opening scene as we went backwards to find out what happened. Would definitely recommend!

We have Amazon Prime so I was able to stream this through my Roku.

It stars Julia Roberts, who was also a producer, as Heidi Bergman. She is a therapist assigned to help returning military men adjust to being home again and to develop the temperament and skills necessary to get into the workforce.

At least that is what we are told in episode #1. But not everything is as it seems and there is something very experimental going on.

I like Julia Roberts, and she is fine here, but as producer I suspect her main goal was to make a good chunk of money from Amazon. There really isn't anything much new here, it could have been a pretty good 90 minute movie, but the story is stretched out over 10 episodes, as has become the new mode of operation for sources like Amazon and Netflix. Which is fine for those who want to spend time leisurely watching everything unfold slowly

Count me among those disappointed with this series, it is much ado about very little.

Just finished season 2, it was definitely a shift from season 1, however it is a continuation of the original story line. The first episode is a change in tone from the first season, but stick with it - it is an aggressive approach to establishing the setting. So many nods to film techniques used in the 1970's & early 1980's. Excellent acting, and great appearances from familiar faces. Don't buy the negative hype!

NOTE: This review applies only to Season 1.

The premise is intriguing and the acting is quite good, but the pacing is so slow that it often becomes boring. The story would have been more effective as a 2-hour movie than it is as a 10-episode series. You can tell that every episode was padded with yawns to fill the 30-minute time slot. The plot is so simple, it could be written in no more than five paragraphs.

Julia Roberts, Stephan James and Bobby Cannavale all turn in good performances, but there just isn't much to work with here.

Julia Roberts is laid back most of the time and seems to be on sedatives. I've seen the film described as a "thriller" so I watched all 10 episodes waiting for some thrills. They never happened. It just isn't worth the time.

Season 1: 6/10 (1 viewing, 8/18/2020) i enjoyed the season throughout, if only could have stuck the landing. the directing was distinct and impactful, and the tone was intriguing and a bit unsettling. i just wish it concluded with more of an oomph.

Season 2: 7/10 (1 viewing, 8/28/2020) a slight step down with how i described the first season's directing as impactful. a slight step up in excitement and intrigue with a slightly faster pace, possibly due to the fewer number of episodes. and a much stronger finish than season 1. well-made overall