Kugel

Oy. The internet decided to freshen up last night, and poof went my review.

I broke the silence on Shtisel 8 years ago, so it's probably only fair that... 4 episodes in and here's the skinny: you are here because you fell in love with Kive, Shulem et al and, rest assured, your heart will not be broken.

The progeny, older than the parent, is faithful to the sharp writing, emotional depth and moral subtleties. The acting, too, is as excellent. The ambiance lacks the warmth of a simple Jerusalem street, but the cooler cinematography is just as well characterized.

You might be worried that the creative spark, known to be extinguished by off spinning of different kind, is no more. It is, more. We know a bit about the future, which adds some mysterious zest to every scene. But this past stands on its own feet. The stories and personages embrace you quickly and securely. If this were born first, its human pace would shine just as brightly.

The showrunner must be one of those legendary humans that are very good at a thing, and know what that thing is. We are lucky to be around.

9.5/10 (0.5 goes to the burnt part of the kugel)

I didn't think anything could match the unique tone and impact of Shtisel, but Kugel equals-and in some ways surpasses-it for its humor, character development, storytelling, and, most of all, its insight into humanity. Set within the insular world of Hasidim, the show somehow feels both specific and universal. It has you laughing, in awe, and at times in tears with its twists and turns. The acting is superb across the board, and the pacing is pitch-perfect. The grand finale delivers a twist that forces you to rethink your preconceived ideas of good, bad, and what is humanity. We've had so much phenomenal scripted TV over the past decade, but Kugel stands shoulder to shoulder with the very best of them. It absolutely blew me away.