Hightown

This was a suprisingly good show that starred a lot of unknown actors. Monica Raymund who was the most widely known character actor headlined this series. One thing that stood out was the two leading characters, Raymund as a Federal Marine Enforcement officer (Fish Police) and James Badge Dale as state policeman Ray Abruzzo are the two most unlikeable characters in the series...yet it works. We still pull for them although they are reckless and both use people. She is a mess but deep down a good person. She has demons, maybe we learn in the next season why she is dead set on destroying herself.

The only thing my father ever told me that I paid attention to was when he said, "If you really hate a character in a show then the actor is doing a really good job". And he was right. Raymund's character is so unlikeable. She's a drunk, a drug addict and she spends way too much time on the hunt for sex with other women. She bedded at least 1/2 dozen women in the series. I'm not a prude but there was too much sex in the series. I'm looking for a crime show about murder & drugs and there's sex in almost every episode. Sex can play a part but thsi was over the top. Still, it was a good series. Ray Abruzzo the cop was a jerk to everyone around him but he was one of the 'good guys'.

There were a couple of hiccups in the series, in the form of silly dialogue but all in all the writing was pretty good.

I haven't watched the second season yet but season 1 is definitely worth watching.

I found season 1 during the pandemic. The cast is pretty stacked so I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm an addict (sober 3 years) so these types of shows can be very insulting if it isn't authentic.

Some people will find this type of show depressing. Sorry, it's real life. Terrible things are happening everyday, and unfortunately the bad guy normally wins. Drugs are awful and they are everywhere. The ripple effects are all around you constantly and I think that is my favorite thing about this show. If you're not into the gritty real life portrayals, this show isn't for you.

Last but not least. I actually read some reviews with complaints about the fact that the main character makes lesbians look bad. Huh? So everyone wants representation in stories, but if the person representing them isn't perfect it's a problem? It's time for people to grow up, stfu, and just enjoy entertainment. This character has flaws, but none of them have to do with her sexual preference. If she was straight, she'd have the same alcoholism. Stop expecting every character to be perfect. It would make for some unrealistic and boring storytelling wouldn't it ? Also, if the portrayal of two women having sex for you takes away from the overall story I'm not sure what to tell you. Go watch G rated television maybe? They have ratings at the beginning of every show. It's pretty much as dummy proof as you can make it, and still, people complain when something is too graphic. Stupid people are everywhere.

My rant aside, this is one hell of a show. The cast overall does a great job, but James Badge Dale really shines. It's nice to see him in a major role, he's extremely talented. I'm enjoying season 2 and I hope it gets a 3rd.

At the time of this review, this show has a 6.8 on IMDb. That's too bad because I almost didn't watch because of that. IMDb users think they are too "high brow" or something. This show is really good. Drug use and sex scenes are in your face and I guess that turns some people off. STOP GIVING SHOWS A LOW RATING BECAUSE YOU FEEL OFFENDED BY THAT! If you're reading this review and you aren't sure if you should watch, take it from me. Give it a chance. For some context, my favorite tv shows of all time are the sopranos, breaking bad, boardwalk empire, game of thrones, the last kingdom, Dexter, rescue me, and so on. If you are a fan of those shows too, then take it from me and check this series out. You won't be sorry. Don't read too much into the hate. I have officially realized that user ratings of shows are not the "end all be all" and now I will begin to broaden my horizon with new series. I understand that everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but if sex and drug use and violence are the reason that you are hating, do us all a favor and keep your opinion to yourself. Lol thanks.

Hightown follows Ray Abruzzo (James Dale Badge) and Jackie Quinores (Monica Raymond) as they investigate serious crimes in Cape Cod. Quinores has a history of drug problems while she struggles to stay sober and Abruzzo spirals out of control from the stress of the job. Those two are at odds most of the series but really do work well together and will do whatever it takes to get the bad guys. It shows the lows of substance abuse and how the opioid epidemic has really effected people and torn peoples lives apart. Hightown is a fast paced thriller that will keep you entertained throughout the series.

Maybe it's because too many of you only watched one episode (if that) but I found even the pilot well done. Maybe it's the fact that the main character is a lesbian. I don't know but this is a good series with good characters, excellent acting and great production values. Give it a try and ignore the haters.