24/11
Here’s my problem
Plot
A series adaptation of James Patterson’s novels about the complicated and brilliant detective Alex Cross. In episode 2, Cross tells Sampson that he smells like « mothballs and old spice. » In real life, Isaiah Mustafa appeared in the big Old Spice ads as « the man your man could smell like. » I first started following Aldis Hodge’s career when I fell in love with his character in Leverage. His performance as « hacker » Hardison was excellent, and I’m totally buying his performance as Alex Cross as well. The writing is strong, the acting is excellent across the board, and the direction and editing are top notch. The lighting stinks.
Three scenes in particular stand out
I don’t know anyone who lives every moment of their inner life in such darkness. I’m only 40 minutes into the first episode, but I already have trouble seeing details in many scenes. The first was the cocktail lounge. I don’t go to bars or cocktail lounges, but even the darkest restaurant I’ve ever been to had enough light to allow me to see the faces of the other people at the table. Second, there was the bandit’s lair.
This is not a romantic dinner for two
Would someone working on detailed plans and designs really do that in such dim lighting? Surely a perfectionist would want to be able to see everything he or she is doing clearly. Third, there is the house where Alex shows up for dinner. This is a gathering of family and friends. The entire house is dark—the foyer, the living room, and the dining room.
Why so dark?
Plus, every room in the police building is dark. Wouldn’t a forensic expert have a very well-lit operating room? If they’re trying to create a mood, I’m more focused on the struggle to see than on the plot and dialogue. This is a choice made by many shows in recent years. You know, anyone with vision problems simply wouldn’t be able to watch this.
My dad certainly couldn’t
That said, I could be wrong about the reason for the darkness. I stopped watching « How I Met Your Father » on another streaming service because it was also so dark it wasn’t enjoyable. A little internet research revealed that the problem was with the service, not the show. When the show aired on the network, the lighting was fine. Your guide to all the new movies and shows streaming on Prime Video in the US this month.
