The original post: /r/television by /u/Boss452 on 2024-08-07 15:57:00.

The Alienist took a while to get into it. I was unsure about it even after 4 episodes in, which is not a good sign for a 10 episode season. But my interest was incrementally increasing every episode as I started getting caught in the murder mystery where a killer is on the loose in late 19th century NYC. By the end I was fully into it, and to the show’s credit, it never eases on the suspense and tension until at the very end. The mystery just keeps on building.

PROS:

  • Daniel Bruhl and Luke Evans are two of my favorite actors and I watched it because of them. I think both got very meaty roles to sink their teeth into, especially Bruhl and it was a joy to watch them both. Even though the show does get very dark, the team of protagonists working to find the killer add a lot of heart into the show. Dakota Fanning is badass here and holds her own. I also loved the two detective brothers who make up the rest of the team played by Mathew Shear and Douglas Smith.

  • The production design is top notch. I don’t think I have seen any period city captured so accurately and brilliantly on TV as the 1890s NYC of this show. The costumes are wonderfully on point too.

  • Special mention to the dialogue writing. often writing in period shows can sometimes slip and have a 21st century feel to it. But here my immersion never broke.

  • Now coming down to the most important part, the writing. Not without a few flaws, and some plot points were left unresolved. But on the whole it is a very well written show. Firstly, the characters are beautifully 3 dimensional and their interactions and dynamics are great. I loved that almost all of them experience growth by the end. Secondly, the investigative work carried out is smartly written. Often murder mysteries often makes characters do dumb things are too good to be true. Rather here, there is a very logical way in how out characters operate and go about. Thirdly, the show utilizes its setting to touch upon class system, beaurucratic corruption, feminism, mental health and parenting. It’s never just a murder mystery show. There are many facets to it which tie up really well with the main plot.

  • Luke Evans is very endearing in this.

CONS:

  • I think the ending was underwhelming and a bit open ended. Whether it was a deliberate choice or not, but we don’t really get a lot about the killer’s motives or thinking.

  • The show drops some characters and plotlines instantly and never revisits them again. There is a very critical character which dies midway into the season and we never hear of him again. Similarly, just to give an example,we see JP Morgan for a few scenes but there is no relevancy to him being part of the show as he comes and goes randomly. There is a romance story in there that comes out of nowhere.

  • There are a few cliches, but not a lot.

Honestly, I cannot fault the show for much else. It’s a slow burn for sure and doesn’t capture you immediately, but by the end you are a very satisfied customer.

Rating: 9/10.