Barkskins

I never read the source novel by Annie Proulx, and maybe that's an advantage, but I found the first two episodes to be enthralling. It's as if you have been inserted into a foreign society and you are trying to figure out the norms and the rules that govern.

The world of Wobik, "New France", and its surroundings feel authentic. An uneasy and changeable peace exists between the various cultures in the area, and justice is usually negotiated at the end of a knife. It's a look at one of the antecedents of modern society. Within this grimy province lie dreams of homesteads, cities, and even empires.

The acting is strong and the sets evoke the ethos of a burgeoning society, rising out of the mud and darkness.

It helps to pay close attention to the character's names so as not to be confused in the first episode. But like the best historically-based narratives, it is worth the effort.

The limited series starts off gritty and, while it's a slower build, it seems to keep things interesting combining an early American historical setting with an element of mystery - shady characters, native American lore and a mysterious beast. I personally can't speak to how closely it follows the book but I thoroughly enjoy this genre, historically-based thrillers that build on mystery without turning into a complete fantasy. The program bears a similarity in style at least to The Terror which aired on the History Channel a few years back and was an amazing limited series. If you happened to enjoy that program, you likely enjoy this one as well.

Loved it! Immediately immerses you in another world, full of characters with depth and intrigue. A great mix of factual history and drama - I even learned a couple of new things along the way. Surprised to see there aren't yet plans for a second season - hopeful they'll press on with this one!

A little hard to keep the characters straight at first but that clears up quickly. This show gives a pretty authentic look at how people lived and how brutal their lives were. It also takes a swipe at racism towards Indigenous people which is more than most historical entertainment does. Europeans were every bit as brutal and doublecrossing as portrayed.

Great acting - started watching for two personal favorites, Zahn M. & Aneurin B., who happily for me are paired together. However David Thewlis & Marcia Gay Harden are giving amazing performances. It is a complex story, and starts off with a "who is that" issue that plagues the beginning of many worthwhile mini series - I did rewatch each of the first 2 episodes, both because I enjoyed them enough to do so, and also because I knew I would pick up on more with the rewatch. Personally I enjoy having to think about the story: for me that is the fun of a good show or a good book. So a viewer who similarly likes to be invested will find this worth their time; someone who's taste runs to lighter simpler fare will no doubt be bored and dismissive as evidenced by the lead review on this page. To each their own - but imo great tv!