In the Dark

In the Dark (2019) Review: A Gritty, Unconventional Crime Solver - 8/10

In the Dark is a show that defies easy categorisation, blending the procedural crime drama with pitch-black comedy and a deeply flawed, yet irresistibly compelling, protagonist. It’s a series that isn’t afraid to let its main character be unlikable, making her journey all the more fascinating and, against all odds, deeply human.

The Premise: A Blind Witness in a Seedy World

The series follows Murphy Mason (Perry Mattfeld), a hard-drinking, cynical, and self-destructive blind woman in her twenties. Her life consists of working at a guide dog school she hates, casual hookups, and navigating the world with a brutal, unfiltered honesty that pushes everyone away. Her only real friend is a young man named Tyson, who one night is murdered in a dark alley. When the police dismiss her account because of her disability, Murphy becomes obsessed with solving his murder, dragging her reluctant guide dog, Pretzel, and a cast of unwilling accomplices into the dangerous underworld of her city.

Strengths That Shine

• A Star-Making, Fearless Performance: The entire show rests on Perry Mattfeld’s shoulders, and she carries it with breathtaking commitment. She portrays Murphy’s blindness with a raw authenticity that avoids cliché, focusing on the practicalities and the immense frustration. More than that, she fully embodies a character who is often her own worst enemy—sarcastic, manipulative, and deeply broken. Yet, Mattfeld infuses her with a vulnerability and a fierce, dogged loyalty that makes you root for her, even when you’re cringing at her choices.

• A Refreshingly Unconventional Protagonist: Murphy Mason is a revelation in the world of TV detectives. She doesn’t have a badge, superpowers, or a genius intellect. She has sheer, stubborn will, a knack for getting under people’s skin, and an ability to listen and remember details that others miss. Her disability is...