Reviews
The Dead Lands (2020)
Remarkable new show that punches well above its weight.
Surprised by the low score for this new show.
Having watched the first two episodes, I would say that it has a similar tone and quality to the Mandalorian and The Witcher.
A strong anti-hero, on a long path to redemption, set in a historical, Polynesian, fantasy setting, with exemplary effects for the budget and evocative dialogue, costume and choreography of Maori culture (watching them move, barefoot, and their ritual stances incorporated into their dialogue to show emotion or intent, was a delight), comes together for some of the most immersive world building I've seen.
Add a splash of humour and characters that are at first glance, tropey, but quickly show nuance and the possibility of some really interesting directions for growth and character archs... And a show which undoubtedly has a fraction of the budget of the big hitters like HBO and Disney, can stand along side their best!
Very excited to see where this goes and hopefully get the recognition it deserves.