A Máquina do Destino

I think most comments are missing the bigger point, are you missing out on your potential or life's dream? I find the show very interesting and plan to read the book. The machine is causing a midlife crisis, something we all will hit at some point in our lives. I love the cast and I'm on episode 6 and so far have found it funny and thought provoking.

The cards are giving the characters to opportunity to tap into parts of themselves they've suppressed. I have seen many couples who have been together for years and they mold themselves to be in the relationship sometimes ignoring their own desires. And it also shows that we choose to convince ourselves we don't want a certain path but indeed we do. Good show!

You're going to either really like it or find it dull. I think it'll depend on how old you are. If you are young, the future and your life's potential seem limitless, and a show about a machine that tells you your life's potential seem trivial and perhaps stupid, that people in this town would be so impacted by it. But if you are older, and looking back at your life more than looking forward, one may understand there's more to it. There is a reason why many people want to know if they've lived a full life, before the end comes.

The show doesn't tackle this subject with a heavy hand. It's light hearted, but serious when it needs to be. For some, it's satisfying to know you've achieved your potential, while others would find that upsetting; and some are excited by the possibility of something different, while others fear it as doubts and second guessing sets in. Each episode so far covers these aspects of "what if"through various characters who live in this town, and while these first episodes feel slow at times, it's thought provoking at the very least to watch them unfold.

While the show could certainly turn dark and more sinister, I rather enjoy the humor and the mysteries of how some people's lives are going to change and others who are trying to change.

We watched Season 1 and quite enjoyed it mostly because of the excellent character work by a strong ensemble. Yes, you had to suspend belief, but that seemed obvious from the premise before watching a single episode. We are loving Season 2. If you enjoyed the characters in Season 1, you will really love how they are developed in Season 2. You see so much more of the hearts of each character and the connections between the characters in really lovely ways. No, it's not a comedy like Schitt's Creek, but if you loved the small town sense of community and connectedness from Schitt's creek, you will really love Season 2 of The Big Door Prize.

It's slow and building and I've been really enjoying it. You don't exactly know where it's headed and that's the beauty of it. It's supposed to be a comedy and it's funny, similar to Shrinking kind of way. Subtle humour, not a ha-ha laughing out loud needing a laugh track like a sitcom. It's a mix, it's different and I'm here for it. I can totally relate to the characters, what they're going through and how they struggle with things, life, relationships, questioning future or the past...

It's life of a small town where people know a lot more about each other than in a big city and I could imagine it happening in mine. It's fun, quirky and wholesome. Try it, you might enjoy it 🙂

As others have mentioned, if you're looking for an obvious "realist" explanation for anything here you'll probably not enjoy the ride. That's kinda the point. It's not totally surreal mind you, but there is a great deal of "suspension of disbelief", which will turn people off. For instance, It starts plot driven, but actually ends up being mostly character studies. And of course, not all characters are equally interesting...

However, some of the card reveals are quite intriguing, and there are enough chuckles along the way to make this a fun watch. Some ideas are well executed and remind me of the Oracle talking with Neo from The Matrix. Other times, the motivations or ideas are just a mess. (You'll know which episode I mean.)

I am usually let down by these multi-season puzzle shows, but knowing the pitfalls I still think it has potential.