Is it worth watching the series "On the Surface" - a detective story about life after a failed suicide

On July 29, Apple TV aired three episodes of Surface. He talks about a woman who lost her memory after a suicide attempt.

The producers of the 8-episode project were the author of "Big Little Lies" Lauren Levy, Reese Witherspoon and Veronica West, who also became the screenwriter of the series. In the past, she has worked on Music Lover and Dexter: New Blood. Gugu Embata-Rho of Black Mirror fame starred in the title role.

Struggling with panic attacks, Sophie tries to learn how to live again. A psychologist, husband (a wealthy investor) and a friend help the heroine return to her former life. But Sophie is trying to understand why she tried to kill herself. Due to the fact that acquaintances refuse to talk about an unpleasant topic, the heroine is forced to deal with her past herself. Then she begins to suspect that she may not have tried to kill herself.

What's good about the series "On the Surface"

The project has several strengths. For some viewers, they may be a reason to watch On the Surface in its entirety.

Stunning Embata Rho

Sophie plays Gugu Embata-Rho. This is the first big role for the actress, and she uses her chance, demonstrating her skills in every scene. Embata-Rho significantly complicates his character, adds to his inconsistency. The heroine is suspicious of everything, while she has a strong desire to believe at least someone. Sophie cannot sincerely love her husband and speak honestly with her friend, because she hardly remembers them. Embata-Rho conveys these feelings very clearly without overt displays of emotion. The cold that exists between her and other characters is the merit of the actress.

Stylish picture

The action of the series takes place in sunny San Francisco, but the authors managed to create a gloomy picture. Subdued lighting is used indoors, color correction is used outdoors. In general, it turned out to be an interesting, even melancholic combination.

The costume designers did a great job. They managed to put together an impressive wardrobe for the main character. Sometimes the series looks like a catalog in which one dress replaces another. Clothing is one of the few aspects that characterize the heroine, especially against the backdrop of lackluster dialogue. Thanks to her, we learn about her past, preferences, lifestyle.

What are the problems with the series "On the Surface"

The first episode looks intriguing. There is an approximate picture of events, as well as several options for their development. However, already in the second episode, the intrigue collapses, and the series becomes boring.

slow narration

In the first episode, the slow pace seems justified. The viewer must feel the suffering of the heroine and understand why it is so difficult for her to accept the current situation. However, in the following episodes, the speed remains the same, although Sophie and her inner world change: the woman suddenly becomes fearless and active (why this happens is not explained).

There are few events, there are only conversations. Sophie has three interlocutors who give her puzzle pieces. For some reason, the heroine cannot sit down and have a normal conversation with either of them. Instead, she extracts a small piece of information from each, and then ends the dialogue. Because of this, the series looks like conversations broken into dozens of parts, like very slow progress along three roads.

Understandable algorithms

By the middle of the second episode, the series begins to repeat the same algorithms. Sophie has three interlocutors who help (and sometimes hinder) her memory of the past.

Communication with them is based on the same principle. First, character A approaches Sophie and says, "Don't trust character B." She obeys. Ten minutes pass, B approaches her and advises her not to trust C. And so on ad infinitum.

In almost every dialogue, the heroine catches the interlocutor in a lie. However, a brief excuse is enough for Sophie to trusted to a person.

predictable plot

The writers just pretend that there are unexpected moments in the series. In fact, the viewer always guesses about the next plot twist. In the first episode, Sophie begins to suspect that her husband is lying about being in another city when she tried to commit suicide. By the beginning of the third episode, Sophie finishes checking the information - and through Google. The exposure scene is presented as sudden, the viewer should be surprised, although he has long understood everything.

Interestingly, in "On the Surface" operators regularly spoil. Every time someone wants to lie to the main character, the interlocutor is filmed in close-up. If they speak frankly with her, then the average plan is used. In the first episode, this seems to be an accident, but the rule works in subsequent episodes.

Empty characters

Although memory only Sophie lost, the other characters act as if they don't remember anything either.

The main character's husband is played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen. He looks unnatural from the very first frames. His character is boring, angry, and just plain uninteresting. The viewer knows that he is rich and probably did something once.

Eri Graynor, who plays Sophie's best friend, could not revive her character.

Failed characters are a joint mistake of writers and actors. But for the lead actress, this is not a problem, she only emphasizes her talent against the general background.

Is 'On the Surface' Worth Watching?

The first episode looks great, but already in the middle of the second series, "On the Surface" loses its luster. The mechanics of events become clear, the too slow pace of the narrative makes the series boring, and the predictability of the plot removes all the tension that the viewer could experience.

Against the general background, the work of the actress who plays the main role stands out, but she only masks the problems.

"On the Surface" can be watched in the background - only once every 10-15 minutes is it worth concentrating on dialogues. The rest of the time, nothing happens on the screen. On closer inspection, the series quickly becomes boring.