Penny Dreadful: City of Angels Review
By William Pattison
For Horror Bob’s Blog
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels takes place in 1938 Los
Angeles. It is a time and place deeply infused with social and political
tension. When a grisly murder shocks the city, Detective Tiago Vega, the first
Mexican police detective in the LA police force, and his partner Lewis Michener
become embroiled in an epic story that reflects the rich history of Los
Angeles: from the building of the city's first freeways and its deep traditions
of Mexican-American folklore, to the dangerous espionage actions of the Third
Reich and the rise of radio evangelism. Before long, Tiago and his family are
grappling with powerful forces that threaten to tear them
apart. Meanwhile, a supernatural force who can shapeshift and break into
separate pieces manipulate events around the city and push things into
conflict and death, while its opposite looks on and refuses to take action to
stop it.
I thought this
series was ok, only ok. They kind of went the way of the film China Town this
time but missing the aspects that made that film so stunning. I would have
enjoyed it more if they had handled the show like the first Penny Dreadful. You
know, maybe have Sam Spade as a detective in it and a secret organization that
is trying to stop the supernatural evil that is manipulating events. The series
does have secret organizations in it but these are Jewish people trying to stop
the secret Nazi organization that is trying to take over the government of LA. Still,
It has been an interesting story about 1930s Los Angeles and the political and
racial tensions of those times reflecting on current issues we are dealing with
today. But, that is its biggest issue with me. I thought it was way too on the
nose. People want their horror series to be entertaining and a way to get away
from the real world. They don't want a dab of supernatural with a face load of
politics and WOKE overtones.
I'll wait and see what season 2 brings. It had better not be more of the same. If they up the horror elements more I'll be happy. If not I'll have to consider if this series is worth my time. It really hasn't grabbed me like the earlier one did. I, and I expect most of the audience, wanted a pulp fiction story with a lot of horror in it. John Logan is a great writer but he needs to know his audience better. I still will recommend this series with the caveat that this is no Penny Dreadful.
I'll wait and see what season 2 brings. It had better not be more of the same. If they up the horror elements more I'll be happy. If not I'll have to consider if this series is worth my time. It really hasn't grabbed me like the earlier one did. I, and I expect most of the audience, wanted a pulp fiction story with a lot of horror in it. John Logan is a great writer but he needs to know his audience better. I still will recommend this series with the caveat that this is no Penny Dreadful.
Keep on Creepin', Horror Bob's Blog
