Paradise Lost

Entertaining watch with a mystery deeply intertwined with character relationships in a familiar but still satisfying setting. Is this show a groundbreaking new look at the mystery genre with small towns full of dark secrets? No and I doubt that there's really something remarkably new that the shows with a similar setting can bring. However, this was still a really enjoyable watching experience, with a good actor ensemble and grounded character drama that tangles with somewhat mystical aspects of Paradise Lost. You like the good guys and love to hate the bad ones. The setting is beautiful and camera work is alright, really enjoyed the music, though I'm not a big country fan. And the ending definitely makes you wonder in what direction the show would go next. Waiting for it to get distributed to other networks, because Spectrum's exclusivity definitely reduces the number of viewers and I'd really love to discuss this show with others.

I was skeptical about the show but somehow it wormed its way into my psyche. Every time I thought I had it figured out it just diverted into a different direction. It was unpredictable and interesting. I really hope they bring it back for a second season.

There are a lot of surprises in this show. People push limits and makes it even better to watch. Hope they continue to make more seasons.

... that make it hard for me to like or continue with a TV-Serie. This might sound arrogant or biased but once I got my attention to the nonacting-skills of Bridget Regan as Frances I couldn't find much good beeing fixated by her overdone gestures and facial expressions. Having said that, the other actors and how their characters are shown didn't leave much room for me to draw any kind of feelings or affection for them. Since Paradise Lost is labeled as drama, to me that goes to the actings and the script plus the lousy music, the mystery to me is how could I ever find the time or patience to go along with ten episodes of it.

The series begins with Yates and Francis Forsythe adapting from their yuppie life in California to Yates' childhood home - a sprawling estate in smalltown Mississippi. They join Yates' parents, "the Judge" (Nick Nolte) and "Byrd" (Barbara Hersey). The manor is situated on vast property with green grounds and trees dripping with moss. The Forsythes are influential. Francis discovers secret-after-secret piling up and uncovering mysteries while much of the town dislikes her forward-thinking ways. She equally dislikes deep southern traditions. Along with Francis, I want answers to the questions she forms about the town and her husband. The characters are well constructed - many bigger than life - yet like the rest of us, no one is entirely good or bad. Each actor embodies the character he or she is playing so you believe. There are references to classic works of art: Paradise Lost (John Milton's epic poem) and Ophelia (John Everett Millais' painting). If you have access, Paradise Lost is worth watching. The greatest mystery surrounds Yates' dead sister Janus. She is the local legend with tales of her supernatural powers, which we see through flashbacks. If you think it is slow at the beginning, keep going because the last few episodes make it impossible to press pause. I am crossing my fingers for a Season 2. I want to know what happens next.