Paradise Lost

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.

This TV show is not on HBO MAX, the movie is (no relation) but TV is not.

I had not heard about this show and was surprised to find it binge-worthy. It is a crime drama with supernatural elements thrown in. The characters are all unique and the acting is done well. Nick Nolte still has it, and I hope if there is another season, that we will see more of him. It is hard for other actors to not pale in comparison to him, but the cast was quite good. This show covers many things - murder, mental illness, clairvoyance, parental relations, spousal relations, political corruption, criminal justice/injustice, etc. Some of the legal/investigation stuff was a bit too drawn out.

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.

Paradise Lost probably doesn't offer anything new to the "small town with big secrets" genre, so maybe that's why it's not getting more buzz? But it was entertaining enough that I binged it over the course of two days and would keep watching if it gets renewed. My only hope for the second season is that Nick Nolte and Barbara Hershey get more to do as they were criminally underused in the first season.