El Lago: Un nuevo comienzo

This is a comfort food watch with an edge. I love that it's not shying away from adult themes and language, but is also very sweet. I also enjoy the diverse cast of characters, and the actors are very believable in their roles. I have LOL'd several times, and I also feel empathy for the characters, even Maisie. Granted, I am 3 episodes in, but I can feel I'm on binge with this one. Another reviewer mentioned Schitt's Creek; if you liked S1 of Schitt's Creek at the time it was released - before it was all the rage, I think you would love The Lake also.

I have really enjoyed every minute of this new series. It is a light and easy watch with many laugh out loud moments. The cast is fantastic and all do a great job of selling their characters. The series gives a Schitts Creek vibe with the community of the lake at talent shows and meetings. Genuinely a happy watch which is just what I needed. Hoping for a season 2!

It's apparent, that this series WANTS to be the next Canadian "Schitt's Creek." But, NO. Awkward. Poor writing. Performances are so-so. Jordan Gavaris is grating. Julia Stiles is slumming. I've binged this thing, on a Saturday night. Eight episodes. Honestly, I'm likely stopping halfway through the final episode. THAT'S how MUCH I don't care. Not interested in the conclusion.

The theme is simple and straightforward. To some people it may be a bit boring and lack of freshness. But that's fine. What really ruins the show is the main character Justin. I don't know what's wrong with the writer and the director, but it seems that they intentionally make the character extremely unfit the social setting. They make the character so unnatural and weird for the environment as if Justin is very incapable of interaction and relationship. Who would introduce himself as a 'birth father' to a total stranger? An openly gay becomes a stammer before a cute boy? So unrealistic. Jordan Gavaris overplays the character in many ways, making almost every joke/funny scene unbearable to see. Half of the time I wonder why he portrays the role in such a dramatic way. Justin talks like a nonstop nagging 48 year old person who has a screw loose or something and talks in high pitch.

This show so wants to be the next Schitts Creek, and it so isn't. I guess SC's first season was a bit rough, but the characters grew on you. These characters, I genuinely disliked more and more as the show went on. About the only lovable one was the handyman/storekeeper whose name I've already forgotten.

The plot was a bit of a stretch from the start, and, again, grew more rediculous as the episodes unfolded, with an awful ending and no sense of closure.

The show had a lot of potential, and squandered it all. I hope Amazon save their money and don't bother making the second season.