The first two (of eight) episodes debuted Thursday night, and just to be crystal clear up front... this is a weird and plodding show, featuring some truly baffling creative decisions that (so far) hinge on a relatively uninteresting detective case, all captured with some of the most annoying cinematography I've seen in quite some time.

And yet... I'm still somewhat intrigued by overall concept, Collin Farrell is good as always, there's a reverence for old Hollywood that gives the proceedings a slick, cool vibe, and critics keep talking about a huge twist that happens roughly halfway through the season, so I'm at least sticking around long enough to see what the hell it is.

So, yeah, if anyone's looking to kill some time with a show that's not great, but not bad either, and you're as curious about the twist as I am (despite some people calling it "maddening," which only makes me more intrigued), Sugar is the show for you...

Sugar
Season 1 (8 Episodes)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13210838/
April 5, 2024
Apple TV+

I watched the first episode and probably won't continue unless people start raving about it here. The wish fulfillment that is John Sugar is a bit overbearing (he's a genius detective, expert fighter, apparently rich, loves classic movies, always wearing a nice suit, savior to the undomiciled, etc.). Saying that out loud makes him sound like Sherlock or Batman, so I guess the character isn't completely unprecedented, but a little more grating the way he is written in this show, especially when his flaws do not seem to be faults of his own.

The mystery is lame so far, and don't seem to warrant his complete fascination with the case. The cuts to classic films are both annoying and feel a bit pretentious.

The being able to drink without getting drunk, the stabbing himself in the neck with a medication, and the "glitching" that he experiences seem to all point to a likely sci-fi angle, although I'd hope not given how absurd that'd be based on just the first episode.

My guess is everything you're critiquing has to do with whatever twist is coming. He seems too cool/good by design, and yes, I'm thinking there's a sci-fi angle as well, as crazy as that might be. Especially since the magazines he was given don't feature any known/real filmmakers, according to the Segal son/grandson who stole them. Point is, I think the pretentiousness is a feature not a bug.

Sex Panther said:

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agreed.

For anyone who cares, episode three was miles better than the first two. It's starting to put the mystery of the imminent twist above the mystery of the case, and it works so much better in that mode. Overall, it's still nothing great or special, but I'm at least a lot more engaged now than I was.

Yep, interesting episode for sure! More moving parts.

I'm enjoying it. They mentioned right away why the case is consuming him even if they haven't given a whole backstory. I like that it's not just a "normal" show.

It's not terrible and is (for the most part) keeping my attention, but I'm going to need that big twist to come in the next episode.

Just wanted to come here and say that wife and i started it on Sunday night and have gotten through 4 episodes. I love it, it's almost like David Lynch made True Detective type of show, i think it's great and excited to see what happens

How propulsive is it?

Claude! said:

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How propulsive is it?

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I think it has a good pace to it

99% sure he's just a country mouse giving me sh*t for using such a big, fancy word in another thread.

HA! Ya i saw that thread later and realized this

Btw, the big twist is confirmed to be happening this week. I've seen multiple tweets now, and even heard on a podcast yesterday, from critics who have already seen the whole series, who are basically giddy for everyone else to finally see how apparently batsh*t the twist is.

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So, yeah, if anyone's looking to kill some time with a show that's not great, but not bad either, and you're as curious about the twist as I am (despite some people calling it "maddening," which only makes me more intrigued), Sugar is the show for you...

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There are so many good shows I have to get to that with this glowing review I"m going to pass.