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alecthecracker
Reviews
The Strain: The Fall (2016)
How is this possible?
How is it possible that a show goes from good to hated so fast? Between the poor character development, bad show running choices, mediocre acting, and nonsensical plot points, the show kept getting worse and worse, to the point of frustrating the viewer with totally nonsensical twists and rushed plot development. The characters are one note at best. Perhaps the 40 day span of the setting dooms it to failure, but they could do better. Then of course they replaced a good child actor who wasn't even unlikable to one you absolutely have to hate, who really actually doesn't know how to act at all. Furthermore, they keep up the nonsensical character choices. Especially after this episode, I have no reason to keep watching the show. It is that frustratingly stupid and nonsensical. What should've been wrapped up as a series after this episode is extending to another, probably unbearable season. Greed is never compatible with art, that much is clear. After this episode, I can say that I have never hated a show more than this one. Emotionally nonsensical and mediocre storytelling. Wooden acting complete with plot decisions that take what good twists there were and undo that good, making them even worse than possibly thought.
The Strain: The Night Train (2015)
A brilliant finale held back yet again
Most everything about this episode was brilliant. I thought the character arcs were well handled, and seeing my favorite character Quinlan being a bad-ass again was awesome. The only thing that I couldn't stand, that bothered me the entire season, was how bad an actor Max Charles is. At some points in the season, when he should have been crying, it looked like he was about to laugh or smile. His range is nonexistent; between overacting and underacting scenes, he just can't get it right. Im so very disappointed the producer cut Ben Hyland, who is a much more talented actor, for this nobody who can't act for his life. Nepotism must be to blame. His poor acting in this episode really ruined a lot of scenes, especially one high stakes scene that he completely mishandled. Overall, they need to recast that character, whether or not that means giving it back to Ben Hyland or picking someone new and talented.