![]() Betty Gabriel is fantastic as Nick’s wife, Sophie, doubly impressive as she is victim to some of the worst instances of contradictory characterization. Kazan brings the troubled but sympathetic Pia to life excellently her drive turned desperation to find and exonerate her brother is palpable, providing an effective emotional throughline to the series. No one is distractingly bad, but few actors rise above the inconsistent characterization and poor writing. There were a handful of truly gorgeous, evocative shots throughout, using an intelligence and thoughtfulness missing from the rest of the show. The cinematography largely stays out of the way of the story and performances, which would be admirable if the story were engaging enough to sustain the eight-episode arc. The show was technically proficient if uninspired, with some fantastic moments fit between standard but solid execution. The conclusion tops this off to a frustrating degree. While the writers succeeded in successfully surprising viewers with each shift in the narrative, the randomness makes everything that came before feel hollow and meaningless. The frustrating close is emblematic of a larger structural flaw that plagued the show: each plot development came entirely out of nowhere, with virtually no buildup or payoff. It is nearly impossible to guess the true circumstances surrounding the kidnapping because the characters involved are not given nearly enough time to be compelling or to generate any emotional reaction other than bemusement and confusion. ![]() Even though “Clickbait” went off the rails well before its conclusion, it ends on a profound anticlimax. One of the most important aspects of a mystery is the conclusion after all, it’s what the past several hours have been building to, and an unsatisfying conclusion can render the entire experience meaningless. Viewers end up knowing more about various tertiary figures of the narrative’s sidelines than the brothers, despite them being ostensibly more central and emotionally resonant characters. Instead, the boys are primarily used as tools in the growing conflict between wife Sophie and sister Pia and as vessels to push forward the plot through their limited agency. ![]() Does the story delve into how his father’s disappearance is affecting the adolescents? Is their pain, confusion, hope, fear, or betrayal explored in a meaningful way? No, although that would be compelling and fit nicely into the story. This is the first time the victim’s children are given a real voice. While the only narrative function of the episode is to uncover some information, the majority of its hour-long runtime is focused on this side character’s personality, complicated relationships, career goals, and how he feels about everything going on, with a surprising quantity of character development for so ultimately tangential a character.Ĭontrast this with two episodes later, as the penultimate episode is all about Nick’s sons Ethan and Kai. The fifth episode follows an ambitious reporter covering the case with a single-mindedness that overtakes any ethical or moral concerns he may have. Two latter-half episodes most clearly demonstrate this bewildering perspective. Misplaced Focusįurther, where each episode elects to focus is baffling. While this decision makes sense in terms of crafting a straightforward narrative, it entirely deflates the “Rashomon”-style ambiguity that made the show so compelling and unique at first. Ultimately, though, the brilliance fades.Įven the novel storytelling device is undermined, as later episodes cut back to the main action, regardless of whether the focal character of the episode was at all involved. The episode shows a flash of brilliance, using a subjective perspective and limited scope to slowly reveal information to the audience and develop organic tension. The first episode follows Nick’s trainwreck sister Pia (Kazan), with whom he has a loving but contentious relationship. ![]() In an interesting technique, each episode of the series follows a different person. As Nick’s family and an ambitious detective attempt to unravel the mystery behind his disappearance, secrets are revealed as it becomes clear that no one really knows Nick – or each other. A YouTube video goes viral, depicting Brewer holding signs declaring that he abuses women and will die when the video hits 5 million views. The show occurs in the aftermath of a mysterious kidnapping of upstanding family man Nick Brewer (Adrian Grenier). ![]()
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