Mr. Mercedes

I found Stephen King's novel very intriguing, but I wasn't looking forward to the series. I'm usually disappointed by film or TV adaptations of King's books, so Mr. Mercedes was quite a nice shock. The creators managed to pull it off and everything was excellent - the cast, the atmosphere, the tension, as well as the soundtrack. Those minor deviations from the book didn't bother me in the least. I actually think some of them even benefited the story. Just like in the book, what I enjoyed the most were the mind games between Bill and Brady, and I hope the next season will be just as good. (25/07/2018)

I love Stephen King's books, and I read this one too. After the first episode, I'm giving it five stars. The show nailed the atmosphere, and even though I knew what was coming, the creators managed to create a pleasantly chilling tension. I'm not usually squeamish, but I have to admit, the opening massacre was brutal and raw — definitely not for anyone who's lost a loved one in a car accident. Brendan Gleeson was excellent as always; I instantly believed in his portrayal of the aging detective. (23/07/2018)

Another great episode. Sure, there's no frenzied action, but I didn't expect any. Instead, the creators focused on the story's flow and let Brendan Gleeson shine. He seems to be really enjoying his role, and it shows. (23/07/2018)

This show might not be for everyone, but I'm really enjoying it so far. Interestingly, what captivates me more than the hunt for the serial killer is Hodges' interactions with his former colleagues and his surroundings. I know it might be getting repetitive, but once again, I have to praise Brendan Gleeson's performance. (23/07/2018)

For the first time, I dropped my rating by a star. The story seemed to stagnate a bit, with the creators focusing on less important side plots. On top of that, I almost started to sympathize with Brady, remembering all the self-important jerks I dealt with daily at work... (23/07/2018)

The creators refocused on the main storyline, and it paid off. The plot drew me in, allowing me to fully enjoy the ongoing psychological war between the protagonist and the main antagonist. I was entertained from start to finish, and once again, hats off to Brendan Gleeson. (24/07/2018)

This was an unusual episode with its ups and downs. A large part of the plot focused on Brady's mother, which I didn't mind at all. Kelly Lynch delivered a very strong performance, giving the episode a different but still high-quality atmosphere. We finally got to meet Holly, and despite my initial concerns, the casting of Justine Lupe was spot on — she was fantastic. On the downside, there were too many flashbacks, and I wasn't a fan of Brady's visions during his promotion interview. (24/07/2018)

Usually, I have issues with film and TV adaptations of books I've read, but I'm really enjoying this series and overlooking any differences. With three episodes left, I expected the plot to ramp up, and it did not disappoint. It can't get any better than this. (24/07/2018)

The pace slowed down a bit this time, but I didn't mind at all. It gave the creators a chance to delve into the psychology of the characters. Holly is truly perfect — King did a great job with her, and the filmmakers did her justice. Bill's interaction with his daughter was also interesting. Sure, I could nitpick if I wanted to, but I just don't feel like it. (24/07/2018)

Once again, I wasn't disappointed. Everything worked as it should, and the creators are steering the story toward its conclusion really well. As the plot intensifies, the creators have cleverly managed to reduce the budget, saving at least one salary per episode since the seventh episode. (25/07/2018)

The finale was a bit of a letdown, but only slightly. I expected it to be a bit more impactful. The oddly concluded meeting with Lou left me puzzled, but overall, it stayed true to the book, including the open ending leading to "Finders Keepers." (25/07/2018)

As satisfied as I was after the first season, the second one was a disappointment. I wasn't that annoyed by the creators skipping the second book. What bothered me was how poor the writing was. All too often, I was bored, all too often staring in disbelief at how the rules of logic were bent, and there wasn’t much in the way of entertainment. The worst thing is that Season 3 is waiting for me now, and after this experience I’m not all that excited about it. (29/07/2020)

Two years ago, I thoroughly enjoyed the first season, so my expectations were high for the second season. However, the first episode failed to evoke the same enthusiasm. It was simply dull, lacking any momentum. The creators seemed to rely heavily on shifts between the hospital and the cemetery, a formula that felt tired and uninspired. Overall, I found myself rather unentertained. (25/07/2020)

The second episode maintained the same level of quality as the first, although it skipped the visits to the cemetery. The plot felt like trudging through a soggy field, dragging more than I'd hoped. But to be fair, the source material wasn't exactly a page-turner either. My saving grace is that I'm a relatively fast reader, but with this show, I have to put up with the slow pace. 2*+ (26/07/2020)

This time around, I felt like something was happening, even if it wasn't much. I'll take any semblance of action at this point. If there's one thing in the plot that just doesn't do it for me, it's those visits to Brady's head — they're seriously starting to grate on my nerves. (26/07/2020)

The fourth episode saw a noticeable uptick in the story's pace, complete with some thrilling Zappit action that made for a more enjoyable watch. So, consider the extra half star an investment in the series' potential for improvement down the line. 4*- (26/07/2020)

Despite a slow start, I'm beginning to see the plot gain some traction. It's just a shame about those unnecessary scenes that felt like filler to me. (28/07/2020)

What an underwhelming episode. Lou's character has become nothing more than an irritating presence, seemingly inserted into scenes for the sake of it. While there was certainly no shortage of filler content, significant plot developments were few and far between. (28/07/2020)

What a shame — under different circumstances, I would have enjoyed the episode, if not for the unnecessary antics from the creators. Some scenes were so pretentious that I could only watch in disbelief (and disgust). After thoroughly enjoying the first season, I can't help but feel somewhat let down. (28/07/2020)

It's become all too familiar for me to feel bored during the second season of Mr. Mercedes, but what really irks me is how the creators have managed to butcher the source material. The eighth episode was a dreadful mix of dull and aimless storytelling — a real disappointment. (29/07/2020)