Probably one of the most overrated series to come along in recent times. It is a series that is thoroughly convinced of its own ingenuity. It shoots for a high mark, but completely misses.
The writer and lead actor has stated that at the end of each season, she felt like the main character's journey was complete. But, we are left wondering, really? What journey? The show felt like a collection of scenes out the character's life with very little story arc. She is in nearly the same place she started out in with almost nothing learned or gained. While the show does tease us with interesting story lines about the effects of trauma, family tensions, etc., these themes are not thoroughly explored nor resolved.
I suppose the main story-line from season two is her relationship with a charmless, prone-to-swearing priest. The relationship feels contrived from the very beginning, lacking authenticity as it is forced to develop over the span of the six 20+ minute episodes. In a bizarre scene late at night in a confessional, he orders her down on her knees while frighteningly dramatic music plays in the background. The viewer is unsure if they're watching a scene out of a horror movie, or if the producers are just really bad at their job. It turns out to be the latter, because eventually you figure out this was supposed to be a romantic sequence. But as in many instances throughout, it hits so many strange and wrong notes, like a jumbled piece of music that never quite came together.
As for the humor (after all it is a comedy) there are a few bits that will put a wry smile on your face, but it is nothing overwhelming. If fact, they are rather few and far between. And as is standard in today's media landscape, we get a fair share of raunchy and promiscuous pursuits which will surely appeal to the many critics who have a surprisingly high regard for those types of things.
Overall, I would recommend skipping this one over, unless you enjoy a bit self-punishment.
The writer and lead actor has stated that at the end of each season, she felt like the main character's journey was complete. But, we are left wondering, really? What journey? The show felt like a collection of scenes out the character's life with very little story arc. She is in nearly the same place she started out in with almost nothing learned or gained. While the show does tease us with interesting story lines about the effects of trauma, family tensions, etc., these themes are not thoroughly explored nor resolved.
I suppose the main story-line from season two is her relationship with a charmless, prone-to-swearing priest. The relationship feels contrived from the very beginning, lacking authenticity as it is forced to develop over the span of the six 20+ minute episodes. In a bizarre scene late at night in a confessional, he orders her down on her knees while frighteningly dramatic music plays in the background. The viewer is unsure if they're watching a scene out of a horror movie, or if the producers are just really bad at their job. It turns out to be the latter, because eventually you figure out this was supposed to be a romantic sequence. But as in many instances throughout, it hits so many strange and wrong notes, like a jumbled piece of music that never quite came together.
As for the humor (after all it is a comedy) there are a few bits that will put a wry smile on your face, but it is nothing overwhelming. If fact, they are rather few and far between. And as is standard in today's media landscape, we get a fair share of raunchy and promiscuous pursuits which will surely appeal to the many critics who have a surprisingly high regard for those types of things.
Overall, I would recommend skipping this one over, unless you enjoy a bit self-punishment.