Teacup

I watch for Yvonne Strahovski. There's something about her - a magnetism, a quiet force - that makes you think she should be headlining films, not locked into roles on TV. Still, she owns every scene as Mrs. Waterford in "The Handmaid's Tale," the kind of role that gets under your skin and stays there. Then there's "Teacup." It wants to be eerie, unsettling, even grotesque. Instead, it drags, provoking yawns where there should be tension, eye-rolls in place of chills. Like the moment they buy the kid's story, then start throwing around the title "Assassin" like it's a game. Sure, the show is reaching for a place alongside the heavyweights of dystopian drama, but it misses the mark - plot, dialogue, even the characters - just shy of hitting the right notes.

The show has its moments, but continued stupid decisions by the characters and no decent explanation to what the purpose of the visitors are is maddening. Characters continually separate and put themselves in position to be taken over. Main character can't hit a target from 20 yds with scoped rifle. Teenage kids put in charge of the safety of the young kid carrying "harbinger", yet separate and become vulnerable. Just some dumb decisions to put themselves in dire situations. Lazy writing. Would love to see a well-written show where people make good decisions and still seem to be in a seemingly unwinnable situation.

It seems like the director put all of the effort into the pilot episode. Well, to be exact, the first 2 episodes are really great, the show starts off very promising and sets up an intriguing and mysterious situation.

We're left wondering what's happening and is it really happening?

But then comes episode 3 and after minute 27, things start to fall apart. As soon as they try making sense and explaining what's going on, all of the magic and excitement and mystery that the first 2 episodes built up evaporates. Because it all becomes so boring and predictable.

Which is a real shame. I really wanted this show to be more, but this isn't Lost. And it certainly isn't From. It's just... bland.

Teacup on Peacock is yet another example of today's TV trend-taking what could be an engaging story and stretching it over eight episodes so slowly that you can practically watch the plot evaporate. The first six episodes are a masterclass in how to take ordinary, daily activities-making tea, staring into space, exchanging sighs-and somehow expect them to build suspense. It's the TV equivalent of watching paint dry, but with occasional brooding glances to remind you something "big" might happen.

And finally, when it all comes to a head in the last two episodes, you realize it's just more of the same, only louder and faster. The series wraps up by leaving just enough plot threads hanging-like an overworked screenwriter forgot to delete their sticky notes-to suggest a possible season two. Because why answer questions now when you can dangle the carrot of resolution just out of reach forever?

In the end, Teacup proves that modern screenwriting has become the art of saying nothing at great length. It's binge-watching at its worst: a narrative that's as lukewarm as the title and filled with enough empty space to make you question your life choices.

At first I was not sure what this was about and stumbled across Teacup when looking for the next From episode. I was intrigued by the opening scene as I enjoy thriller and horror. As the first episode continued it reminded me of Color out of Space where the animals are starting to become aware of a benevolent entity. The continued mystery and gore in episode 2 has definitely left me wanting to know what is happening next. There were also remnants of the Thing in some of the CGI which is one of my favorite movies. I recognized most of the actors from years of watching too much TV and I am enjoying their performances so far.

Overall it has drawn me in and left me wanting more.