McMurphy
(9/17/16 update for S2 below)Engrossing, intense, REAL. I just finished the 10th episode, and I'm already going through withdrawals. It's doesn't get any more "real" than such regular, INNOCENT, people being LOCKED UP with convicted criminals, in a confined, OVERCROWDED, "Cell block." I can't believe how well they put it together. First, the "Cast." Yes, most of the volunteers are relatively "normal" (most ;-), but we get the full spectrum (includes a Marine, school teacher, COP, military wife, and even Muhammad Ali's daughter). Next, you have top notch production and editing. We get VERY coherent stories, as if it was written. Our "characters" are so interesting and relatable, you'd think they are also written. Then, the perfect music (not overkill; they are careful to let the events do the talking - the music just subconsciously amplifies those events). Lastly, reality. Very, very, real, reality. You feel like you're there. With the spectrum of "characters," you're going to relate to all of them at some point, in some way. Some of them are really good. Some of them aren't. From a psychology perspective alone, it's got to be groundbreaking (to my knowledge, we've never gotten this kind of insite into that world, through so many different perspectives). We get to see profound examples of alternate perspectives. It's amazing how the same thing is perceived at diametrically opposing ends of the spectrum, AND FROM PERFECTLY "NORMAL" PEOPLE. Everything is amplified tenfold in that environment, so you get to see OUR tendencies under a microscope. It really makes you think.UPDATE (5/27/16): I've finished the season, and it only gets better as you get deeper and deeper, but they REALLY need to replace the guy that does the finale interview. He's a new anchor, and he's obnoxiously FAKE. He completely feigns emotion, and never actually levels with the guests or audience. It's awkward and insulting. CBS made the EXACT same mistake having Bryant Gumbel host the finale interview for Survivor, but replaced him with the much more natural and REAL Jeff Probst. CBS, please replace this guy with a NATURAL and REAL person.UPDATE (9/17/16): I'm 5 episodes into S2, and I went into it thinking S1 was a fluke because the "characters" were so damn good, but I was wrong. They've found great subjects for this season as well, and, though I miss "The Operator" (Zac), I'm still VERY engrossed in the show, and look forward to every episode.
Songwriter_90210
I didn't expect to be engrossed in this "fish out of water" reality series, but I am.To start, it's not really like anything I've seen before, and if you've watched as much reality series as I have, that's saying something. It starts off with 7 people chosen to participate in an undercover operation of sorts, and the danger is real. One wonders why ordinary people (and some are exceedingly ordinary) would be chosen for an operation like this. You almost think it's not going to happen - then they're immersed into this American jail hell. I'm not going to give very much away at all, and it's really easy to. I'll just say that is is totally worth one's time, especially if you like crime or incarceration shows. There's one person that stands out, and you get the feeling that he isn't going to last long. Will he be killed? Quite possibly. And it will have been his own fault. One should really follow jail house rules... or else.
