Yeah, my opinion on this changed as it went on. Firstly, it’s very well made, and most of its logic passes the sniff test, unlike something like Jack Ryan which to me comes off as fan fiction written by a 45 year-old having a mid-life crisis. This in itself makes Messiah worthy of sticking with.
By around episode five, though, and with the core mystery still being ‘Is he or isn’t he?’ I began to wonder how long they could keep it up. I mean, scene after scene basically boiling down to ‘He IS the Messiah’, closely followed by ‘But is he, though?’ Can only go on for so long before you have to elevate the idea and take it somewhere else.
I was flabbergasted by the season finale, which continued the trend with 55 minutes of ‘He definitely is not the Messiah, he’s just a con man’, quickly followed by five minutes of ‘Oh, but he definitely is the Messiah’.
I actually got angry at it for wasting my time. The sheer gall of thinking they can string this same question out across multiple seasons. Unbelievable. So, I come back to what I first said. Enjoyable for the most part, but could have been so much better if they had just made a definite call on it. He IS the Messiah, so what now? What does that mean for him, for the world, and for those who wouldn’t believe? Would they still not believe? Would the world change? Would others seek to kill or silence him? It would become a lot more interesting at this point, but no. Is he? Isn’t he? That’s all we get.
I agree with your 6/10 here, on balance. But with the caveat that there is real craft and care at work here. It’s well written, beautifully shot and features some great performances. It’s just a shame it’s chosen to back and forth on the question of whether he is or isn’t to the point of parody.
You must be new to Netflix. I don't think there's one series I haven't wished had been a 4 parter with a conclusion rather than a puffed up 10 parter left open for a 2nd series.
I don't think I missed anything you wrote. I also didn't say anything about whether you wanted it to be shorter or have an ending. What I wrote was how I feel about most (if not, all) Netflix series. I'm very happy for you to enjoy drawn out, inconclusive dramas if that's your thing.You missed my point. Few series flip-flop back and forth on a single question and resolve literally nothing after ten episodes. I never said I wished it were shorter, or that I take issue with endings being left open.
I don't think I missed anything you wrote. I also didn't say anything about whether you wanted it to be shorter or have an ending. What I wrote was how I feel about most (if not, all) Netflix series. I'm very happy for you to enjoy drawn out, inconclusive dramas if that's your thing.
LOL. You're perfectly entitled to misinterpret my words and argue the toss if that's what tickles your toes, carry on as much as you like, however, I probably won't reply further.You said 'YOU' must be new to Netflix, which implies the opinion which follows is instructional on the content found on Netflix generally and aimed specifically at me. The instruction which followed, that, in your opinion, all Netflix series are drawn out and inconclusive, I reject. And I specifically said I didn't enjoy this as much as I could due to the inconclusive season finale, which sticks out as unusual when applied to just a single narrative question. But whatever dude.
Just watched 3 episodes and me & wife are liking it. I'd agree with the score at this stage. Not a classic but I like the premis and certainly watchable.
At this stage 6-7 for me.