Now that I’ve watched the entire series in literally one sitting, I’m ready to go back and go through it more slowly. Maybe take notes on each ep about the things I love and things that might trigger others.

There is just so much world-building for all that it is set right here and now. The layers of detail and the breadth of the world created is just fascinating.

Each location truly feels separate, probably because they did actually film on location heh. And each culture feels very distinct which creates such a sense of realism.

I am genuinely impressed with the technical aspects of this show: directing, writing, editing, cinematography, etc. But the heart of it is the chemistry between the main cast and how well they demonstrate the sudden intimacy that their new situations create.

Nothing felt inevitable, there was always a sense of risk and possibility. At the same time, the things that do happen feel right and true to the characters and situations. It’s masterful.

I feel so fortunate that this show exists and that I got to see it.

All that said, there are some incredibly intense moments in the show. There is a suicide in the early part of episode one. Later there is various levels of gore and violence. And if you have any bodily issues, the fact that the show in no way ignores the biological issues of cis women’s bodies might shock you.

As far as I can recall, however, there is no animal harm or rape/attempted rape. I specifically recall a scene where I was like, “oh thank fuck! he’s only trying to murder her.”

At the end of the day, the people I cared about survived and/or triumphed enough that the hardships they went through felt worth it. Intensity level-wise (language, sex, violence, plot) I would compare it to Starz’s Spartacus series. Quality-wise too, it’s that good.

It's not a flat out terrible show. I appreciate the scope of what it's trying to accomplish. I agree with the voice and messaging. I like the actors more than I thought I would when I started it. It's not as fumbling forward like Orphan Black, or Heroes as I see myself agreeing with another commenter, but I think it's after the same kind of audience.

What bugs the ever-loving shit out of me is the romance. It's like Beyonce's lemonade video with the amount of slow motion "tension" as 2 characters approach each other with dazzled looks in their eyes. It's a synesthesia-d writer on crack. Every moment is all moments. Every point is also its counter. Every character is open to the highest of violence or sex with seemingly no conflict at all. It's a romance bread from the starkest idealism.

And I get it, that's its voice. But I'm not an endearingly hopeful liberal type who thinks my heart can be trapped by the cute person I just watched murder a dozen people. It's a show where, in the highest rated comment on this page, someone talks about going back through and finding all the "triggers." Yes, because those types pretend, like this TV show pretends, that they're seriously engaging the world instead of their added layer of mythology about it.

This is of course perhaps less a criticism of the show itself, but evocative of the times as to why it can appeal so hard. Oh, how wonderful to connect like that! Oh, how intimate! Oh, sharing and acceptance will always win the day!

Because of this, I feel it loses its capacity for a level of complexity. If you can remain awed by the "when will 1 meet 2? and 4 meet 7?" game, you'll be able to carry yourself through fairly easily. If you can refrain from asking too many questions as to how their "powers" really work or translate, you'll have a better time as well.

This is an aspiration and ethos show. The "gimmick" if you will provides the same kind of intrigue each time, it's just a matter of location or situation they're supposed to surmount. The characters are a solid half based simply on their cultural qualifier. The "depth" provided by assumptions you make regarding each. Even then though, those assumptions will be undermined by the over-arching themes regarding acceptance, teamwork, and undying empathy, even if the trip from those happening randomly to perfectly executed when necessary is less than clear.

For someone who can see no wrong in any piece of art that presents Utopia like a show this, I'll be the out of touch hateful judgemental person who belittles triggers and Just Fine Entertainment that helps you believe and escape. For someone who genuinely contemplates the degree in which media influences our attitudes and approaches to differences or relationships, I think it's important to consider the chasm between genuinely hard work figuring out someone's differences and it *somehow* being bestowed upon you the capacity to connect with anyone around the world. What a romantic and beautiful idea that will certainly infect and hurt someone who tries to play it out like they did on the TV show.

This, as well, a fairly menial and obvious observation that only feels a bit grating but for the basket I felt this show was shooting at. Complexity can come from deep appreciation and exposition, or caricature overlaps and cup-and-ball shuffle games. This show walks a fine line. It took a bit for it to get going and for me to catch on, but I'm not particularly thinking it's going to offer much more by way of explanation. You're just sort of along for the ride. Again, it's not an out and out bad show. It's strong in its very particular voice. It's just torrential sentimentality overwhelming sometimes genuinely compelling intricacies.

This review is for the series overall.

An exceptional series from the Wachowskis as long as you're not homophobic.

1. The writing is on point most of the time. Main characters and supporting characters shine.
2. The cast is fantastic.
3. The multiple shooting locations around the world was a boon to this series.
4. Bug is best buddy.

Honestly, Bae Doona, the Wachowskis, and talk of this series having LGBT characters and being pro-LGBT were what piqued my interest in it. I'm glad it I eventually watched it. There's so much humanity on display here and it's beautiful to watch. It's a shame that Netflix didn't let it run it's course more naturally. The series finale feels rushed as a result, but it ends the series fine enough.

It was nice to see Lost alumni Naveen Andrews again. Capheus is recast in season 2. I was sad to see Aml Ameen not return, but Toby Onwumere filled the role well.