The Premise

There is no pretence here. Up front the makers say these are parables to make you think about issues that they feel affect American society. In the first two episodes it is racism and gun control.

As a result we have a modern Tales of the Unexpected with a number of agendas.

Like another review I think they should have shown episode 2 about gun control first. It was well performed and tight. I had seen a similar story before but it was good.

Episode 1 was about police malfeasance and racism. As a result it did not really contribute anything. And so put people off.

I don't really think the series achieves its goal of encouraging discussions. Messages forced on the audience without entertaining them never work.

Episode two and five are really good. Episode one just good. Skip three and four, especially three. If you decide to watch only one episode just watch episode 2, chilling. It's enough for me to watch season two.

Unique in this aspect, the aspect of political relevance and accuracy ) brings the top and subtle details of this culture war.

Well acted, well built.. a bit unrealistic and exaggerated but its worth the trip.

Two epidode premiere, big stars, and edgy comedy. It's exactly what you'd expect from the commercials and it's what you're going to get. It's a little slow building up, but it's funny and more sharper than it appears to be in the commercials. If I had to wrap this up, it's a funnier and very edgy Twilight Zone and I'm not mad. Can't wait for more episodes and potentially a new season.

TO Start: The actors in "The Premise" are quality actors, they tried their best and saved the show from an all-out disaster.

BJ Novak introduces each episode as if it is a work of genius. It is obvious that the Premise is heavily influenced by Netflix's Black Mirror but unlike Black Mirror, it is missing quality writing. Each episode is supposed to leave the audience thinking about each situation, as if something truly groundbreaking has occurred. If this show actually accomplished this main point then The Premise would be an instant classic. However, it fails because it never truly draws those main points to a fully recognizable conclusion. AS if it was missing The Premise of each stand alone episode.

Each episode does not seem realistic. The things that happen in the episodes do not seem real, as if they would really happen in real life. Unlike Black Mirror which is full science fiction, The Premise is pure fiction but tries to imagine scenarios that would be outlandish and crazy, but could actually exist and happen in real life. Furthermore each episode seems so unlikely to ever happen in real life it is hard to believe.

The Acting is great. The actresses and actors chosen in each episode is the main strength to this show. It is the main reason to even watch it. Even if the show feels stupid by the end. Because the show did not leave me with a sense of awww or wow it left me thinking, "well that was stupid" 4 stars is being generous, but the quality of the actors/actresses deserves as much. The show needs better writing and some better sets. The sets were all pretty terrible in my opinion. None of the show seemed real or authentic. The way BJ Novak presents each episode is like "Seriously, this guy should let his show stand on its own two feet" and we know you created it. He needs validation and credit for each episode, well, that is the impression I obtained from watching each episode.

Overall, if the Premise had better writing and more realistic premises, then I would give it another chance. The acting was great, the show does have potential, but can it go beyond what it is now? A conceded mess by BJ Novak.