Mr. Mercedes

This show works because Brendan Gleason is such a great character actor . Story is ok pacing is a bit slow in the second season .

This is a great show, but the reviews are probably going to be mixed right now as a result of the tragic events that happened in Charlottesville recently. TV doesn't just happen folks. This is a TV series based on an incredibly good series of books by Stephen King, whose trilogy finished up last year. This has been in production, in filming and is now finally coming out. It's not some knee-jerk reaction to recent news in the name of getting ratings or having a political agenda.

Some people just don't think before they post reviews. Just enjoy the show for what it is, great TV, and try not to make everything political. I wouldn't even say it's in "bad taste" like one reviewer did. It's a TV show, and if you follow it long enough you'll see that the attack with the vehicle is only a part of the overall story and that there's a lot of other content to enjoy. People, sadly, get hit by cars every day, some on purpose and some not. What happened in Charlottesville is a tragedy and I absolutely condemn the racist, small-minded person that committed that act, but don't blame this TV show for existing in the face of that tragedy.

As a fan of Mr. King for many years --and NOT a fan of most of the TV and movie adaptations of his works-- I have to say I was impressed with the pilot episode. The casting of Brendan Gleeson got me in to watch it and thank God nobody asked him to try an American accent (witness what happened when they asked Michael Caine to try that in 'Mr Morgan's Last Love'). Also, it was nice to see Harry Treadaway pop up again after 'Penny Dreadful'. The whole show spoke of quality and good storytelling. I agree that the opening scene was a little gratuitous but it is faithful to the novel and I would rather see this sort of violence represented honestly than stylistically. No illusions that blood and guts aren't spilled when you drive a car through human bodies. I am looking forward to the next episode and have already added it to my weekly TV viewing list.

This show is very hard to review because it genuinely becomes an entirely different show after the first season. Season's two and three move into a more traditional Stephen King style, while season 1 is the classic retires gruff detective no kind of a PI being haunted by that one case. And the killer communicating with him isn't anything revolutionary, but the two leads are awesome and the supporting cast is really charming and perfect.

Season 2 and 3 are really enjoyable but they are two screen seasons, meaning it's best to watch while doing a puzzle or exercising while the first season is so captivating you don't want to miss anything. Hope this helps.

I'm giving this show a 7. It could have been a 9 or possibly a 10 if they quit after the first season. Please watch the first season. Its amazing. The second season makes you want to kick people in the nuts