Jeff Daniels and the other actors do a great job. There are so many good performances that it's hard to single out any one of them, but Tom Perlphrey and Bill Camp do stand out. But, the series suffers from a number of problems that detract from the quality of the series.
First and biggest is the several stories being told, some of which bear only tangentially to the plot. I think that's a problem of trying to be loyal to the book which cannot be done in a film.
The next biggest problem is that there is no one to cheer for. None of the major characters are sympathetic though there are a few at the periphery who are. Without someone to cheer for, the series gets depressing.
Upsetting and beyond belief is the final act in which a contrivance barely even mentioned earlier suddenly plays the pivotal part in the drama. Rather than drama, the scene turns into late-night sketch comedy. Unbelievable.
Don't waste your time on this series. It's not so good in the first place, and the final act is so terrible it cancels out any good that has preceded it.
First and biggest is the several stories being told, some of which bear only tangentially to the plot. I think that's a problem of trying to be loyal to the book which cannot be done in a film.
The next biggest problem is that there is no one to cheer for. None of the major characters are sympathetic though there are a few at the periphery who are. Without someone to cheer for, the series gets depressing.
Upsetting and beyond belief is the final act in which a contrivance barely even mentioned earlier suddenly plays the pivotal part in the drama. Rather than drama, the scene turns into late-night sketch comedy. Unbelievable.
Don't waste your time on this series. It's not so good in the first place, and the final act is so terrible it cancels out any good that has preceded it.