The series fails to ignite and is trapped by a style left wanting and shallow execution. It begs for a 1970s look yet feigns authenticity with a right-of-the-rack shine and cleanliness.
Set against the dusty backdrop of the 1970s Southwest, the story arrives with a heavy dose of period aesthetics and a premise ripe for pulpy thrills. However, despite its visual flair and commitment to recreating the era, the series quickly becomes bogged down by a pervasive sense of style over substance, leaving viewers with a production that feels disappointingly thin.
The characters, from the seemingly heroic criminal getaway driver to the determined FBI agent and various nefarious figures, often feel broadly sketched, akin to cartoonish archetypes rather than complex individuals. Their motivations frequently appear underdeveloped, and the dialogue, at times forced, contributes to a sense that this is "pulp disguised as prestige" - heavy on dramatic posturing but light on genuine authenticity.
The series also struggles to find a consistent tonal balance. While seemingly aiming for a fun, Tarantino-esque energy, attempts at heightened reality or humor, such as a jarringly executed Roadrunner cartoon homage or overly silly scenarios, can miss the mark and feel out of place. The effort to inject excitement occasionally comes across as trying way too hard to force the sense of fun it should just naturally possess, resulting in an uneven viewing experience.
Furthermore, the writing often relies heavily on clichés, offering little in the crime genre that feels fresh or unexpected. Even potentially compelling elements, such as the storyline following the first Black female FBI agent in the 1970s, are noted as feeling undercooked and lacking the impactful exploration they warrant. This FBI narrative, in particular, is cited as less engaging than other parts of the show, dragging its feet and lacking crucial subtext.
Casting choices have also drawn scrutiny, with the age difference between lead actor Josh Holloway and the character he portrays (a Vietnam veteran) highlighted as a distracting element that can undermine the show's attempts at dramatic weight. Adding to the show's struggles is an excessive reliance on 1970s nostalgia, from constant music needle drops to overall aesthetic choices, which some found to be unearned and dictated by a lack of common sense. While the main cast generally performs admirably, the supporting performance from
Keith David is exceptional.
Ultimately, the show promises a wild ride, but often spins its wheels, hindered by shallow writing, inconsistent tone, and a prioritization of surface-level style over the substantive development needed to make its world and characters truly compelling.
