It's a great introduction to the series. Acting is great, it is shot really well, and the music really fits the tone. Ben Stiller does a great job directing this episode and I really have high hopes for the rest of the show. While watching I was skeptical about how they will extend this story into a series because it could be a feature film, but I really think they will go through in a creative way. The whole cast and crew is very talented and I am excited for the show premiere on TV so people can enjoy it.
2 Reviews
Episode 1
Prismark1029 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Based on a true life tale. Ben Stiller directs a slow burn first episode that sets a time and place with 1970s songs as well as pop songs from 2015.
This is a blue collar world. It is winter, it is snowing and middle aged, overweight Joyce 'Tilly' Mitchell (Patricia Arquette) has to get ready for work with her tubby husband. Both work for the maximum security Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York state.
Tilly supervises the prisoners making garments. She also has cosy quick sex with young David Sweat (Paul Dano.) Something Tilly craves for despite the dangers of being found out.
Meanwhile Prison Officer Gene Palmer (David Morse) is very pally with with Richard Matt (Benicio Del Toro.) Matt gives the prison officer oil paintings in exchange for stuff that can come useful in prison beside a copious supply of oil paints. Matt likes to think he is an important man in the prison system.
Both Matt and Sweat are cooking up something. Matt tells Sweat to cool it with Tilly. Even her husband knows she is being friendly with one prisoner.
We know from the opening scenes they escaped because it is Tilly who is being interrogated.
Stiller gives the episode a gritty even nihilistic edge. The prison is institutionally corrupt because of the way the prisoners are used for personal reasons by the prison workers.
This is a blue collar world. It is winter, it is snowing and middle aged, overweight Joyce 'Tilly' Mitchell (Patricia Arquette) has to get ready for work with her tubby husband. Both work for the maximum security Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York state.
Tilly supervises the prisoners making garments. She also has cosy quick sex with young David Sweat (Paul Dano.) Something Tilly craves for despite the dangers of being found out.
Meanwhile Prison Officer Gene Palmer (David Morse) is very pally with with Richard Matt (Benicio Del Toro.) Matt gives the prison officer oil paintings in exchange for stuff that can come useful in prison beside a copious supply of oil paints. Matt likes to think he is an important man in the prison system.
Both Matt and Sweat are cooking up something. Matt tells Sweat to cool it with Tilly. Even her husband knows she is being friendly with one prisoner.
We know from the opening scenes they escaped because it is Tilly who is being interrogated.
Stiller gives the episode a gritty even nihilistic edge. The prison is institutionally corrupt because of the way the prisoners are used for personal reasons by the prison workers.
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