This fairy tale come thriller drama has some high production values and is another reason I love streaming services like Netflix and Prime, they do stuff that conventional TV just is too afraid to do. With all the BBC's riches from TV licensing why aren't they producing high quality stuff like this more often? Only now do we see high production value shows that are gripping and addictive like Line of Duty and I think I saw a trailer for War of the Worlds, but these shows are few and far between where the streaming services just keep cranking out shows like there's no tomorrow. Anyway, Carnival Row was very entertaining, it's dark and gritty and the world building is very good. There's a cohesive lore that ties everything together so if you don't mind all the fairy tale stuff, it's engaging on all levels than just the plot twists. It's about relevant subject matter in a mythical world of pixies, pucks and dark magic. Seemingly random murders are all part of a larger conspiracy that all comes down to manipulation of power from the upper echelons of society.
Some of my complaints about the show are; character bloat. There are a lot of characters in this show all with their own story arcs which means the main story arc loses lime light and slows pacing down. It's not half as bad as most shows which really bog down in the middle but this bloating of characters probably helps that.
Weak leads, sounds harsh but Philo and Vignette are not the most interesting characters in the show, my personal favourite is Agreus, the come wealthy Puck looking for acceptance in high society, plus he always cracks me up wearing his hat off the side on one of his horns. The actual political plot line and it's main players too, much more interesting and engaging characters. The love story between Philo and Vignette is more for Vignette's sake that Philo's as he has attachments to other characters that justify his presence through the story.
Carnival Row is a well written show that keeps a better pace than any of it's peers, snappy writing and a fully fleshed out world and society make for a gripping and interesting place to disappear to for a few hours a night. It's already drawing up plans for a second series with an intriguing cliff hanger that should offer much more opportunity for world building and deepening the political plot.
A must watch recommendation from me.
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