Hap and Leonard (TV Series) Monsoon Mambo (2018) User Reviews

Not as satisfying as the book ending

[paolozavatta · 4/10 · 13 April 2018]

The ending in the book was perfect. This one not so much, i find it a lot less satisfying than the one in the book and some things out of place. Imho should've stuck with the book ending.

A let down finale to an otherwise entertaining season

[Sawyer-4815162342 · 4/10 · 15 March 2019]

Hap and Leonard is an underappreciated yet very fun show. And I've generally enjoyed it, but this episode was garbage. All the build up throughout the season only to have one of the stupidest ending I could imagine. Hap and Leonard don't even really play a role in the pivotal finale scene. Its a shame, too because apparently they wont be making any more seasons and its too bad that this is the last we'll see of Hap and Lleonard.

What did I miss?

[livebigpenguin · 4/10 · 24 March 2019]

There was almost no development for what happened in the alley that lead Leonard to have PTSD like effects (after having been through Nam). Super confusing that he's so affected by it. I assume it was over-edited.. Just didn't make sense for a character like that to suddenly become cream cheese with very little explanation.

S3: Two-Bear Mambo: Good humored and events-driven even if it doesn't balance all its parts totally well

[bob the moo · 5 June 2018]

I continue to enjoy this show and this third season gave me more of what I was expecting. The punchy nature of it in terms of length and pace plays well, and there is much to like in the rough-and-tumble way that it carries itself. This season follows the characters from last one, with the character of Florida going missing and drawing Hap and Leonard into a small town known for being racist and closed off. The flashforwards to a badly beaten Hap and Leonard tell us that it will not go well, and indeed it doesn't.

As a mystery the season has some nice twists and turns to it, but mostly it is event driven with a lot happening in a short time (as it has to). It is not perfect writing, but it has a pulpy and tough edge to it that I enjoyed, and the plot engaged while the events satisfied. Some elements of it don't work particularly well, and seem more like convenient writing than anything else, but mostly the pace carries that. The mix of tone is odd this time. On one hand you do get the fun of a bar fight, but you also get real dark damage and loss - I'm not sure the show manages to transition well between those two extremes. The latter adds weight to the drama, but it is the banter and fun aspects that make the show work. That said, the two leads do a lot to make you like and care about them, so they are just about holding these things in one place.

The starry supporting cast are good throughout, and the production values do well to convey the heat and oppression of the place - although the budget restrictions at times do show. As this season finished it was not clear if there would be a fourth season - for some reason there is no buzz around the show, and ratings aren't great I guess. I hope it gets to return as, despite its weaknesses, it has a lot I enjoy.