Prime Target

It's not quite clear who the audience is for this series. Is it trying to appeal to people wanting to engage with intriguing scientific theories? Or is it trying to appeal to Gen Z feeling misunderstood for their genius?

On the one hand teasing intriguing questions on the nature of science and mathematics. And how archaeology may unearth interesting new theories.

And then, a supposed math genius who in the Cambridge library system searches for "prime numbers"... And then doesn't find anything in the library catalogue about prime numbers because it's been deleted.

I mean... it isn't consistent to its own universe. And that is very disrupting.

It started off strong, then went downhill. Poor acting from some, lack of emotional connection, and no interesting relationships. Could have been good, the story line was cool but lacked execution. Not up to Apple TV standards. Previously would feel comfortable watching anything on Apple TV knowing it would be good, but this show just ruined that standard for me.

Edward was played well and he did his job well, but the rest of them were terrible. The female character from NSA was so bad, felt like I couldn't watch her. Felt like the directors were throwing everything into the mix with them going to Baghdad, France and the UK. Seemed a bit all over the place.

Alfred Hitchcock said that Maguffin shouldn't be revealed because it shows how silly plots are. This series tipped it's hand very early and sure enough, Hitchcock was right. A driven but maverick PhD mathematics student is working on prime numbers but the security services don't want that. Cue mysterious deaths and ancient artifacts. A kind of Indiana Jones and the Lost Integral.

There's a bit of really shallow exposition about prime numbers and the preposterous idea that all the university library books have been deleted. Protagonist gets upset rather than going to Amazon next day delivery. I just kept yawning.

Just 3 episodes in the viewer senses that the number of people out to murder the protagonists is uncountable. Starting with a belief that a unique prime number generator exists the argument postulates prime numbers used in cryptography are not random. If that is true then the financial foundation of the economy would be on shaky ground. Even without a degree in math that is hard to swallow. Everyone knows there is always a bigger number than any number you can think of. Just add 1. In a nutshell the movie is about 2 very pretty people evading the hoard after them while knowing the danger will never end.

It was definitely slow at first & if you let that take over your viewing you'll quit before becoming riveted. I know basic math so the premise of the prime number being a key to everything was perplexing at best. Luckily you don't need to be a math genius or any kind of genius for the plot to be both maddening & satisfying simultaneously. Keeping focused is very important. Not a series you can multi-task while watching. I'd disagree with the reviews critiquing the actors talent. I thought the acting was excellent. The end leaves a second season open in my opinion. Not a bad thing if you ask me. Well worth watching this unique Apple series just be patient.