Summary
Tales from the Loop is a few good episodes away from being a fantastic series, suffering from a heavily weighted vision.
Tales from the Loop is frustrating. Some episodes are well-written and directed to a tee, offering sci-fi themes with an emotional angle. Other episodes suffer from their directed format, instilling a snooze fest. It’s challenging to understand where you stand with the original series – some chapters deliver, while others betray the audience with their self-indulgent vision.
You don’t have to watch the episodes in order, but some chapters tie together with an intention, so naturally, it makes sense to do so.
Based on the art book, the anthology series revolves around a group of townspeople who reside above a facility called “The Loop,” a machine that unlocks and explores the mysteries of the Universe. It’s all about making the impossible possible, with an elusive leader.
Each chapter focuses on a single character who is affected by science due to “The Loop”. Tales from the Loop eschews scientific intricacies by refusing to interlink various scientific phenomena, and instead chooses to live with one theory, one chapter at a time.
The concepts are interesting and have been seen before; freezing time, moving through time, alternative Universes, and simply robots are the many themes that are explored in the chapters. The series does not rely on the visual effects to tell the story. Each scene follows a character with their own issue, and the Amazon series is designed to elicit emotional investment from the audience.
However, while one hand attempts to impress with the concept, the other tries to be visionary; some episodes fall short by over-directing the problem. Too many chapters had answers, but felt unanswered, landing the ending like a damp squib. Some chapters try hard to deliver the result, but it overplays a scene to a degree that it becomes, frankly, boring. Tales from the Loop is convoluted in quality.
Do not mistake this review as a warning of “stay away”. Tales from the Loop is recommended based on the few episodes that have an emotional impact, as the vision is just compelling. Also, the characters’ intentions and some endings are intentionally left slightly open to give an interpretative experience.
In terms of the acting, the cast can do no wrong. Even the younger members are directed to a tee, with every action bringing a thousand words. The series is also well shot, with the creators doing a marvelous job with the camera, ensuring that the scene speaks for itself.
But it is a massive shame. Tales from the Loop is a few good episodes away from being a fantastic series.
Read More: Tales from the Loop Season 1, Episode 1 Recap
