High Desert

I approached this show with poor expectations. Just to let myself be entertained for twenty minutes. Indeed, at first sight this looked like one of those low-budget internet TV series for a young generation suffering from low attention spam.

What I actually encountered is absolutely brilliant and delightful. Fresh, provocative, sparkling, funny and very original.

Quite obviously, something like this could only work with a very solid cast and I must confess I have always appreciated Arquette's talent, but this is another dimension all together. The entire thread, in its minimalism, rests on her shoulder and she leads wonderfully with a consistent support from her fellow colleagues.

The cherry on the cake for an irregular but very interesting career. I expect she should receive some sort of award for this. She deserves it.

When I first heard about this show I was excited, it had a good premise and cast. So what went wrong? Ultimately, I think the problem is Jay Roach. Who I often like, don't get me wrong, but his direction is too silly. I'd have rather watched this premise taken seriously, at least to SOME extent, but it's just an outright farce. (e.g. I'm currently watching a man dance to Brittney Spears while his accomplice, a heavyset woman, beats up a cop off camera.) I was rooting for Patricia Arquette, Matt Dillon, Brad Garrett, and Bernadette Peters, I really wanted to like it, but it's just not very good. I'll keep watching, maybe it'll surprise me, but I doubt it.

First off - how nice to see a real sized woman carrying a series. Arquette is nothing short of brilliant AND beyond funny. Her comic timing is impeccable.

Add a dash of Bernadette Peters - the one with the straight hair, so you might not recognize her until she speaks - along with Brad Garrett, add a host of incredible actors and you are in for a treat.

This is a fast paced, smart show. I found myself rewinding several times just to make sure I didn't miss anything - and I usually did.

The setting is another character in itself, for those of us who are not desert people and only know it from Breaking Bad.

This is a great way to escape our follies and join Patricia Arquette in hers. It's so nice to know someone has it worse off than we do.

The opening of episode one was a great hook. Pulled me in and had me interested...

But...

After that point, there wasn't any real "storytelling". There were a bunch of scenes strung together to hopefully make some sort of story.. but no ACTUAL storyline or overall plot.

No clue where it was going.. often bored by how it was getting there.

Sure some moments were humorous and Arquette does a great job with the role.. but.. it's meandering.. wandering.. seeking to find a reason. There is not clear plot.. no expectation for anything that's been foreshadowed.. no mystery to solve... no outcome to hope for... no future.

With about 5 minutes left in episode 4 I bailed.. bored to tears.. never to look back.

Why doesn't anyone focus on good storytelling any more??? It would appear most newer productions either want to make a puzzle out of any overall plot.. or just avoid any overall plot altogether. This series was the latter.

If I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel... it's a trap... not a tunnel. This.. this is a trap.

I don't know why the lowish reviews!! I don't care where this story is going. I could watch Patricia Arquette in her role as Peggy forever. She is CRASS (WITH CLASS according to her) with absolutely no filter. She absolutely makes this Series. Arquette is so perfect as this wanna be P. I. looking to make the Big Score catching the Bad Guy....

You need a Very Dry and Twisted Sense of Humour to appreciate this HILARIOUS Show. If you are expecting a Network TV Comedy, this is NOT IT.

High Desert is a DARK COMEDY that has Quick Wit and Brilliant Writing. I wonder how someone can dream up these crazy ideas. I just love this Show.

Not in one million years would I put this Cast together but they are PERFECT. Brad Garrett as Peggy's Boss is hilarious. I couldn't even RECOGNIZE Rupert Friend as Guru Bob with that Hair !! Bernadette Peters on TV ? I love her as MOMMY/Ginger. Matt Dillon is Peggy's SMARMY Husband who has been in and out of Prison/Jail. He's the one who got the family in their VERY DYSFUNCTIONAL WAY to begin with.

Ben Stiller is the Executive Producer and is owning Apple lately ! I love that he has his Wife Christine Taylor as Peggy's "Normal-ish" Sister.

Highly recommended if you like dark humour.