Hard to say yet, but a promising start. I am still watching episode 1 and so far I am hopeful. The rather lavish camera style and set dressing is extremely good, the music is well spaced, appropriate and lush when necessary. So far so good. The only glaring problem so far is the rather overpowering issue of Michael Douglas and his false teeth. I have no doubt that in the period a miriad of people must have suffered terribly from pain in their teeth. It was after all a time when sugar was new, exciting and sweet and it's highly likely that many if not most had the most frightful toothache pain and trouble with the teeth. Mr Douglas however lives a privileged life in Hollywood and really should not subject his audience to the sloping and slurping and whistling of what must be new dentures. Really? Or is he just too old for the part? Let get serious. Michael Douglas is 80 and in 1776 the great Franklin was 33. Is it absolutely necessary to roll out an extremely haggard and aged octonagerian who has trouble with French and English pronunciation and who is absolutely the furthest possible representation of the great man at age 33. In an era when the world goes insane over appropriation and proper casting, why do Apple serve up an ancient and very much washed out actor to play one of the great scholars of history and at a time when Franklin was at his absolute prime.
Sadly I don't see this particular criticism changing through the series. I suspect my score will obviously and dramatically plummet...unless of course Mr Douglas is fired and they cast this rather beautiful production with a man in his 30s.
Sadly I don't see this particular criticism changing through the series. I suspect my score will obviously and dramatically plummet...unless of course Mr Douglas is fired and they cast this rather beautiful production with a man in his 30s.