As a long-time fan of juicy, soapy dramas, I must say that “The Perfect Couple” was a rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns than a winding Nantucket road! While I found some aspects utterly captivating (the full-cast choreographed dance opening was simply amazing every time), others left me scratching my head in confusion.
Warning: Plot details of the recently released Netflix thriller-mystery titled “The Perfect Couple” might be revealed here, so tread with caution if you haven’t watched it yet.
2024 Fall TV season is jam-packed with exciting premieres and finales, but amidst all the hype, don’t forget to catch the gripping six-episode mystery series “The Perfect Couple,” streaming on Netflix. Starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, this show has been holding the top spot since its release, and for a good reason. I’ve been hooked ever since I started watching!
According to Elin Hilderbrand’s novel “The Perfect Couple”, this series was already praised by critics before its Netflix debut, and I didn’t want the juicy gossip to circulate without knowing all the shocking twists myself. After watching, I can wholeheartedly recommend it, thanks to one aspect that I adored, even though I had mixed feelings about one of the show’s major surprises, along with other things I enjoyed and disliked. Let’s delve into those points now.
I Absolutely Loved Chief Carter And Detective Henry’s Partnership
The success or failure of a show like this frequently hinges on the effectiveness of its main characters, particularly those investigating a major enigma – here, the demise of Merritt Monaco portrayed by Meghann Fahy. (At this point, it’s fitting to quote “Always a corpse, never a bridesmaid.”) Fortunately, showrunner Jenna Lamia and her team have done an excellent job in their casting choices, with veteran actor Michael Beach from ‘Sons of Anarchy’ playing Nantucket Police Chief Dan Carter, and Donna Lynne Champlin, who gained popularity on ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’, portraying Massachusetts State Police detective Nikki Henry.
I must admit, I never thought these two gifted performers would mesh so perfectly in a show like “The Perfect Couple” – it’s not that I doubted they could, but their effortless and charming friendship was undeniably my favorite aspect of the series. Although the intriguing mystery surrounding Merritt’s death was captivating, I found myself drawn more to the investigative duo in this case. Despite the reprehensible characters involved in the whodunnit, I’ll stick with the cops as my favorite part of the show.
Beach exudes the perfect blend of gritty local charm and intelligence, managing to satisfy even the wealthier individuals, which I’m grateful wasn’t portrayed as a character needing tutelage. Both characters are highly proficient in their roles, striving for justice without causing unnecessary harm, and they make an entertaining duo during interrogations. Henry’s knack for intimidation through intense staring followed by sudden politeness is priceless.
I’m skeptical that “The Perfect Couple” TV series will continue with an upcoming season or spinoff focusing on Carter and Henry leaving their paid policing jobs to start a private detective agency. Yet, if it ever happens, count me in for watching it immediately!
I Pretty Much Hated Greer’s Sex Worker-Turned-Writer Backstory
In the initial five episodes of The Perfect Couple, the character played by Nicole Kidman, Greer Garrison Winbury, is portrayed as a renowned author of light-hearted novels about ideal couples that are a favorite among airport readers. It’s hinted that this couple mirrors her relationship with Scheiber’s Tag, but it remains unclear throughout why Greer exhibits such unpleasant behavior.
Due to Greer frequently behaving rudely towards Amelia and showing an air of superiority towards others, sometimes with justified reasons, I found myself disliking her role as an author throughout the season. It made me question whether many other successful authors might share similar attitudes. I prefer to maintain a positive outlook when it comes to such matters, don’t you?
However, things took an unexpected turn when it was disclosed in the final episode that Greer’s successful novel-writing career was merely a facade. It turned out that she had been a renowned escort before her encounter with Tag, which was quite shocking. To make matters worse, her brother Broderick (Tommy Flanagan), the ominous figure who constantly threatened and harassed her, was not a dangerous criminal but a problematic gambler instead.
In six months after Merritt’s murder was solved, Greer appears to have softened her demeanor significantly. Was she merely acting as a haughty rich woman to maintain an image, and now that her secrets are exposed, she can finally be authentic with others? Whether this interpretation is accurate or not, I continue to dislike the entire situation.
I Also Kinda Hated Amelia And Shooter’s “B-Train” B-Story
In Elin Hilderbrand’s novel, the romantic storyline between Eve Hewson’s character Amelia and Ishaan Khatter’s Shooter seemed to rely heavily on paper charm. This is because their shared romance, which felt underdeveloped, appeared to hinge on a brief, seemingly insignificant moment from years ago in a train compartment. During this incident, they both assisted a woman in collecting necklace beads or something similarly unremarkable but kind. I found myself anticipating some surprising plot twist as a result of this connection.
Even though they both vividly recall that experience, it’s apparent that they now feel an intense attraction towards each other. The flashback to Amelia’s initial flight to the Winbury’s Nantucket residence made it evident that there was a strong connection between the characters, eliminating the need for an unnecessary and unsubstantial link like the coincidence you mentioned.
By the time they clumsily shared their first kiss, I had come to believe that Amelia was concealing something related to her memory of B-Train, and that she was intentionally kissing Shooter in a spot where Benji would witness them. However, I was attributing too much significance to an insignificant detail.
But That Full-Cast Choreographed Dance Opening Was Amazing Every Time
Despite the puzzling and often unpleasant events that unfold in The Perfect Couple, it boasts one of the most vibrant and engaging opening scenes among all TV shows. No matter what shocking revelation or display of aristocratic snobbery greets us at the beginning of each episode, they quickly fade as soon as Meghan Trainor’s “Criminals” begins to play and the characters start dancing.
One aspect that draws people in is undeniably witnessing a multitude of individuals moving to the same beat. Another factor is its irrational quality, as it’s not portrayed as an official event from the rehearsal dinner night. Instead, it resembles the unexpected opening titles of ’70s and ’80s sitcoms, where actors are shown in unrelated settings behind their name tags.
What adds even more enjoyment is discovering that the cast had doubts about its merit, as Liv Hewson shared with TODAY. She playfully remarked that it was so successful, the series might as well have been a six-hour music video. Indeed, I agree with you on that.
As a game enthusiast, I’ve just discovered that the intriguing, yet frustratingly addictive mix they call “The Perfect Couple” is now streaming in its entirety on Netflix. Can’t wait to dive in!
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2024-09-11 16:07