From IMDB:
Having gone missing seven years ago, the previously blind Prairie returns home, now in her 20s with her sight restored. While many believe she is a miracle, others worry that she could be dangerous.
Have you ever started on a box of chocolates and found you could not stop eating them? In other words you “binged”. Similarly once I started streaming this 8-episode series from Netflix, I was hooked. No sooner did one episode end, but I started the next episode. This went on for days until I had watched all eight episodes.
Characterizing this story is difficult. Partly it suggests science fiction although the style is closer to a fantasy which borders on the supernatural. Such flights of fancy are certainly not to everyone’s tastes. At times I asked myself why I was watching this goofy show. But the originality, the constant suspense, and the interplay of personalities was just too intense. In other words, the story for me was so compelling that after every “happening” I had to see what came next.
Notable for me was how so many scenes seemed just plain ordinary if not dull or slow moving. BUT — behind the seeming banality there was real tension because you just knew that something out of the ordinary was just about to happen.
Most of the actors portray high school students, which might also be another turnoff. But this is NOT a teen flic. Admittedly there were some nakedness and sex scenes which suggests a bit of pandering to the audience.
Both the young, middle age, and older actors turn in excellent performances. You will recognize many faces from other shows. Prairie Johnson’s father is played by Scott Wilson who was Hershel Green in “The Walking Dead”.
Jason Isaacs, who plays Hap, has a long resumé including the Inquisitor in “Star Wars Rebels”. His portrayal of an obsessed scientist who can feel no empathy for his experiment subjects is chilling. Watch as his character morphs.
Brad Pitt was one of the producers.
However, you are warned that the ending is problematic. My first reaction was “What! Give me a break! This can’t be happening!” But stop and console yourself with the realization that Prairie was blind as a child, only to return after seven years absence able to see. That could not be faked! I would be eager to hear your opinions about the ending, including howls of outrage.
If anything, this sometimes wacky story is not boring.
