by Jack Grimme, Contributing Writer
Many people love to dispute the merit of Rian Johnson’s catalog. While I don’t agree, I can understand how several choices in Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi could upset some fans. I’ll also concede that his first partnership with the Breaking Bad team (the episode entitled “Fly”) was a little outside the box. Some people consider it filler; I consider it creative character work fueled by the claustrophobia afforded by the “bottle episode” narrative format. Regardless of your opinion of his work, one truth is increasingly irrefutable: Johnson is quickly becoming an absolute titan of the whodunit genre. Knives Outexploded onto the scene in November of 2019 and was met with seemingly endless critical adoration. The sequel, Glass Onion, was slightly less successful, but still earned praise for the fresh take on the genre and an exceptional cast. Needless to say, the moment I heard Johnson was bringing a 10-part mystery series called Poker Face to Peacock, I was all in.
The series stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a nomad with an almost supernatural aptitude for spotting fibs, and a penchant for solving crimes. We follow Charlie’s journey across the U.S. in an attempt to distance herself from looming figures of her past. Each episode presents a novel mystery and a spectacular ensemble cast comprised of beloved stars and new talents with bright futures. Each story feels like a challenge that is too short and small-scale for the likes of Benoit Blanc to tackle, but far too clever to never see the light of day. It’s clear Johnson was overwhelmed with quirky twists and turns, and found the optimal structure to bring these ideas to life.
It’s hard to tell if the role of Charlie was written for Lyonne, or if her talent just allowed her to perfectly inhabit this role. She is clever enough that you believe she is capable of solving crimes, while still lacking some smarts that allow her to stumble into all these heinous circumstances. She is charismatic and friendly, yet reserved, which is absolutely crucial because she meets new threats and companions every episode. And Lyonne’s comedic timing ensures every quip and punchline land to keep the tone lighthearted, despite some grisly murders and sinister plots.
Her star is allowed to shine even brighter thanks to the superb work of the rotating cast of supporting characters. I could honestly list them in alphabetical order because everyone deserves a shoutout, but I’ll keep it short and note a few standouts. Hong Chau and Stephanie Hsu both appear and give hilarious, albeit brief, performances. Tim Blake Nelson is one of the most consistent talents Hollywood has to offer, and I’m incredibly grateful that Johnson brought him on for a turn. Johnson’s long-time friend Joseph Gordon-Levitt does some great work in the penultimate episode. And Nick Nolte, Cherry Jones, and Luis Guzmán bring incredible nuance to one of my favorite episodes of the season. Admittedly, it may just be because there are too many to count, but I honestly can’t think of a performance that is weak enough to merit critiquing. Everyone is on their game and it shows.
This series is also elevated by the sheer genius at work. Every mystery is unique. Some clues are readily apparent and predictable, and some hints pay off in completely unexpected ways. Most importantly, everything feels essential. The first episode teaches the audience that keen eyes are rewarded. You can, and often will, solve these cases before Charlie. And that is a great feeling! Sometimes you will be incorrect because the situation is more intricate than you anticipated, and that feels great too! Either way, you will still be happy to watch the beloved protagonist persist and prevail in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. And I think all of that builds to one of the greatest strengths of the entire show. Simply put: It’s fun. The colors are bright, the dialogue is witty, and the bad guys are always met with opposition from our lovable hero.
It’s clear I could spend all day heaping praise on this show and the craft of the cast and crew. But I’ll try and be a professional and air some reservations that keep it from being perfect. I think the biggest issue is the time limit. Many of the episodes are paced and plotted perfectly. However, there are a few moments that feel a little rushed to ensure the program can end before the runtime turns it from a show to a feature film. There are also characters who I wish we got to spend more time with. But that is often more of a result of my love for the actor than anything else. A few tweaks here and there could help a little bit, but for the most part, I understood that it was a limitation of the medium and wasn’t particularly perturbed by it.
I will also briefly mention one problem I had towards the end of the show. I can’t say anything specific without getting into spoiler territory, but there is a character turn that doesn’t really make sense to me in the finale. I can potentially see where the individual is coming from, but I feel like the show doesn’t really do a great job of setting it up. The only reason it is worth mentioning is because it is a big revelation during the climax. It doesn’t ruin the show by any means! I just wish they had done a bit more work to set it up.
I should also mention the aspect of this show that will probably make it or break it for the viewer: The odds of Charlie finding her way into all of these situations in the span of a year are tough to ignore. If you struggle with suspending your disbelief when watching movies or television, you may have a hard time connecting with this show. It kind of tries to address this towards the end, but it certainly isn’t explained all away. Ultimately, I think the best way to address this issue is by laughing at the absurdity and buckling in for the ride. I can confidently say if you’re able to do that, you are in for a truly special season of TV.
Score : 9/10
Poker Face is currently streaming on Peacock
You can read more from Jack Grimme, and follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd