Servant

I found the first episode of Servant so fascinating that I insisted my girlfriend watch it while I rewatched it. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, it's weirdly unsettling: the guy is weirdly hostile, the woman is weirdly nervous and excited, and the girl is weirdly low-key. Shyamalan keeps the camera too close as the premise rolls out.

Starting as a series about a nanny hired to take care of a doll used to help a grieving mother cope, Servant takes a series of left turns that leaves you curious and perplexed. There are weird incidents and reveals through the season (excepting one episode in the middle in which basically nothing important happens - what's up with that?).

The ending is, I must admit, disappointing. A lot of questions are raised during the series, and a number are answered, but the last part is just .. what? Huh?

Even though the series left me not so much curious about season 2 as suspicious that the creators are just messing with the audience, I still found this tremendously enjoyable.

If Servant were a restaurant it would be that 5 star place with the waiting list you'll never get on & food that is exquisite in every way but not near enough of it (with Yellowjackets being your favorite restaurant you never want to leave with affordable but amazing food, excellent atmosphere and music and you know you'll patronize it until it's ripped from your life due to unfair circumstances, and fantastically so-bad-it's-good reality tv being McDonalds). Servant would be the restaurant where Sean is the head chef. It's so visually stunning and the acting from all 4 main characters (as well as the supporting actors) is so on point, it almost feels like it's too good for the likes of me. I wish the episodes were longer. The directors and screenwriters have really brought their "A" games to every element from props to music to creating the atmosphere of mystery, surrealism and over-indulgence. I truly think all four main actors deserve all the awards for what they do here; Lauren Ambrose and Rupert Grint are so compelling I literally cannot remove my eyes from the screen every time they're on. Ambrose was born for this role and I hope she gets the recognition she deserves. Her facial expressions and acting chops in general, such as her just full embodiment of yuppyism at its best (or worst?), are really a treat to behold. Wow.

The show would have definitely been better off being a movie or four episodes shorter as there was a ton of filler. Having said that, it was delightfully creepy and had some typical M Night twists and turns. Worth a watch if you already have Apple TV. But, not worth buying Apple TV just to watch it.

I usually don't make it through a whole season but this one is 4 seasons and I was glued to the TV! Yes it is slow but it keeps you hooked with small weird happenings throughout. It's mostly nonviolent but some of the scenes are quite gruesome and I guess that's what gives it the edge! It's not until season 3 you can see something is coming! I personally love Night Shyamalan, always have ever since "the village"! He is wonderfully weird! The acting is excellent and the characters believable! The scary part is that this could actually happen but without the super natural part! I really don't understand the low reviews, I can only imagine they are done by people who only like a lot of action ! Definitely recommend to give this a try!

Servant Season 1 (3.5 out of 5 stars).

The first season overall is a pretty fair series. The cast ensemble was good. The three actors playing Sean, Leanne, and Dorothy delivered. The plot kept a mystery creepy premise. Especially with some of the story revealing a little in the end. I did feel like the ending did leave you feeling less satisfied as they keep you waiting to reveal more of the story next season.

Overall, this series is definitely worth watching.