Between

I'm only three episodes into the first season. Aside from nickelodeon's Jeanette McCurdy (who really hasn't gotten much time to shine), the acting is horrendous and the dialogue is weak. This isn't a show to binge quickly but if you're looking for something to keep you distracted every now and again, I would suggest you watch an episode or two. There's not really any depth to these characters and the scenes of guns being drawn get tiresome after awhile. I'm not emotionally drawn to what happens to the characters, but at the very least I'm curious as to the cause of the illness.

The first episode of Netflix' new "Between" web series (2015) reminds me a hell of a lot of "Jericho" (2006). It takes a frightening science fiction premise and then generally fails to execute anything terribly scary or thrilling. "Jericho" told the story of a small town surviving a mysterious nuclear holocaust — it looked to be a serialized "The Day After" (1983), but ultimately became a chipper, too-safe family drama that almost seemed to channel "The Waltons" (1971).

The premiere of "Between" introduces us to the small town of Pretty Lake, where a mysterious illness is killing anyone over the age of 22 … which is kind of convenient for the young-adult target audience that this show is going for. The show sounded like an update of "The Andromeda Strain" film adaptation in 1971. But after we see the town quarantined, it seems to borrow a page or two from the television treatment of Stephen King's "Under The Dome" (2013). (I disliked that book, and have heard some pretty mixed things about the TV show.)

"Between" has a few things going for it, like well-scripted characters and capable young actors. But it has problems with pacing and tension. There's a nice flourish here and there, including the shot you see below. But for a TV show about a potentially world-ending plague, it fails to scare. I'd give this first episode a 6 out of 10.

What's the deal with naming the town "Pretty Lake," anyway? Is it intentionally generic for thematic reasons, or just lazy screen writing? Are neighboring towns "Big Mountain" and "Long River?"

Everytime you think, "this character is the one that I will enjoy". Try again. All characters are losers, who will always do the wrong thing when the chips are down. I really wanted to enjoy this show. And there is enough to make you wonder what will happen. If you are smart you just won't start watching. You will be sad if you do. Frances the little black girl on the farm is probably the only character I would want as a friend from this town.

I give this show a solid 7. Yes, some of the dialogue/acting seems a bit wooden at first but, as the season progresses, the actors and their characters grow. The apparent "holes" in the story are there to create suspense. As the characters grow and learn more about themselves, the virus, and their places in the "new" Pretty Lake, so do we the viewers. For such a young cast, I think they did an outstanding job! I only wish Krystal Hope Nausbaum had been given a bigger role. She is totally awesome as Amanda! Oh, and I watched every episode of the first season before coming to any conclusions, rather than after 1 episode like most of my fellow reviewers.

Yes, it is unbelievable, parts of it could be better, but nonetheless, it retains interest throughout. Watchable drama that does not pretend to be anything other than entertainment. Also, so fitting for the times. An entertaining way of passing the time in isolation caused by the COV-19 virus.