This show feels as if it has inspired Barry, my favourite show that is currently airing. Breakneck pacing, stress and anxiety inducing scenario, fleshed out characters, really sad outcomes, some good drama and really funny all in one. This show's writing is very peculiar in many ways, very quirky in nature but works to its advantage in producing comedy in addition to making the characters more endearing without breaking the gravity or reality of the show which is very impressive. There's a lot of cool cinematography in here from the various perspective shots, slow push-ins and long takes, the latter 2 of which are extremely effective in replicating the sense of pressure being piled on, anxiety and stress and really getting you in the head inside of our main character. The acting in this show is excellent, you can feel how depressed, sad and done John is with everything, everyone else's concern and you just get a real sense of character from each performance. I absolutely love the way this show is edited. They thought ahead so much with this show and you can tell with how it plays with chronology and sequence to the point where you have no idea what the next scene is going to be sometimes. It just keeps adding and adding as the show goes along and you just get the feeling of if it can go wrong, it will go wrong and while it can be really funny, it can also be really harrowing and stressful. Just a masterclass of tone balancing with its drama and comedy. It also has some great action in it to top it all off. A very one of a kind show and one that is criminally underwatched and underrated, give it a watch if you haven't.

P.S. couldn't get out of my head that John looked like Alexander Skarsgard and Lawrence looked like Jermaine Clement. They look so similar to them.

Patriot (TV) - Season 1 Review

Patriot is one of most unique, fully realized pieces of television I've seen. Its writing, direction, performances, music, and overall cohesiveness come together in a way that feels deliberate at every level, resulting in something that remains massively underrated.

The Creative Genius of Steven Conrad

Steven Conrad's role as creator, writer, and director is central to why series works. There is a clear, unified vision guiding every aspect of production. Nothing feels accidental. Pauses are intentional, line readings are controlled, and visual choices consistently reinforce same quiet, off-center tone. The direction never pushes too hard; it avoids excess and instead relies on precision. It trusts material and allows moments to exist without forcing clarity or resolution too early.

Conrad's Writing

The show's greatest strength is its writing. The dialogue is awkward, simple, understated, and consistently believable - all in the best possible way. That restraint creates space for everything else to work. Instead of relying on heavy exposition, show trusts audience to infer meaning through behavior, tone, and context. Characters are written with unusual depth, revealing themselves gradually without ever feeling over-explained.

The Cast

The cast understands this tone completely and executes it with precision. Every line feels intentional, and every performance fits seamlessly into show's rhythm. Michael Dorman's portrayal of John carries a quiet weight that anchors series. Chris Conrad's Dennis brings a specific, offbeat energy that could easily fall apart in less capable hands but instead becomes essential. Aliette Opheim's Agethe balances inexperience with competence in a way that feels grounded and human. Supporting performances from Kurtwood Smith and Terry O'Quinn further reinforce consistency of cast. There are no weak links, and more importantly, no performances that feel like they belong to a differ...