Overall Rating (Episode Average)- 5/5 Started On: 1/15/22 Finished On: 1/16/23 in retrospect, the first drew me to this show all the way back in 2020 was it’s (i hate to use this term) aesthetic. it was a dingy yet sophisticated show that was practically begging me to watch it. how i wish i had this app back then to write my thoughts, but here we are now. let’s start with the acting: 3 (2.5?) words. ANYA👏TAYLOR👏JOY👏. she absolutely bodies Beth in every way possible. her body language, her facial expressions, her vocal delivery, her all around mannerisms; she’s a master at her craft. the supporting cast is impeccable as well. Moses Ingram played Jolene beautifully. her attitude and sassiness balance so well with her maternal and loving side. Moses and Anya’s chemistry was easily one of my favorite aspects. while Bill Camp wasn’t in many episodes, Mr. Shaibel was such an important character (“no shit sherlock we know that”). i know that he OBVIOUSLY is an important character but Bill truly played him beautifully. Marielle Heller brought the absolute thunder. Alma is such a heartbreaking character in more ways than one. you sympathize for her hardships but her using of Beth’s talent for money puts a bad taste in your mouth. Marielle takes both these aspects and gives the audience a somewhat uncomfortable viewing experience and i’m so glad she did. of course i could go on about the cast, but i’ll move on* the production ONLY deserves 5 stars. the sets, the cinematography, the editing, the costumes, the score, the soundtrack, i was in heaven the whole show. the twisting and turning camera in Vegas when Beth is against Benny? eye candy. Beth dressed as the white queen in the last episode? chef’s kiss. all the locations but specifically Paris and Moscow? buying my plane ticket. LITERALLY THE ENTIRE SCORE AND SOUNDTRACK? music (literally) to my ears. okay y’all don’t kill me but i don’t know enough about editing to make a statement BUT I STILL KNOW IT WAS GOOD. if it wasn’t obvious already, this is my favorite show ever. a huge step up for Scott Frank from Godless and i’m so excited to see what he cones out with next :) *yeah Benny gets his own little footnote about how hot he is, i’m still a boy-crazy 16 year old girl after all. HOLY HELL THOMAS BRODIE-SANGSTER. I MEAN MY GOD. I DON’T CARE IF HE LOOKS LIKE A GOTH COWBOY (hey now he’s been a cowboy twice now… i guess i have a type) HE IS STILL THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. BENNY I LIKE YOUR HAIR! PLEASE TEACH ME CHESS PLEASE! PICK ME! CHOOSE ME! LOVE ME! THOMAS I WILL DO ANYTHING FOR YOU AND I MEAN IT! okay rant over.