This is a review for comedy-drama series Search Party. Sorry, random short film. 

Season 1: Though the first couple of episodes are mildly annoying, Search Party’s kick-off season proved to be very entertaining thematically. Weaving a character’s search for purpose into the story of her looking for a missing person is a great concept that payed off well in the ten episode run (the mystery’s resolution before that thing happens is pure gold). The show sometimes stumbles with its extremely obvious American humor, but finds its footing when our “party” is together trying to sort out a plan. Search Party is at its funniest when the core group is frantically bickering amongst themselves. Which in some way is a downside, because they’re self-centered cunts. I know it’s a satire on the  overt selfishness of a specific generation, but watching people be self centered assholes can be draining in this format.

Another downside is towards episodes 6-8, I found myself checking out of the mystery a bit. It just wasn’t as engaging after a while. 

But beyond that, this is a well done study in purpose in the skin of Nancy Drew for a generation of apathy. I don’t really like rating things that much anymore but fuck it—solid 3.5/5 (would be a 4, but I find the first two episodes a chore). 

Season 2: Ditching the vintage mystery premise of season 1 in favor of a more Hitchcock-esque “paranoia thriller” (in the creators’ words), Search Party doesn’t always stick the landing in season 2, but it’s still very entertaining. I’ll get the bad out of the way—

This season’s story aesthetic didn’t really grab me like season 1. It’s not very “Hitchcock” and sure there are elements of paranoia, but all in all it just plays like a twisty comedy-drama (akin to Dead to Me but without a bad case of “I’m a white woman hear me roar” disorder). Which is fine, it still tells the story quite well. Maybe I was expecting a pastiche, which is on me. I’ll have to digest it more.

It still stands that Search Party hits comedic highs when the group is together (“AND WE LET HER HAVE THE FRONT SEAT” killed me), yet season 2 splits them up a little too often I think. Mixing up the cast I think would’ve helped as well. A one off episode with Dory ad Portia or Drew and Elliot or whatever could bring new dimensions to the characters. 

Still though, the strengths are in the storytelling and there are some fun twists and turns. Nothing jaw dropping, but when the tension’s there, it’s there. Also, this season is way funnier—mainly because we’ve had time to get to know the group. Portia is a massive standout and she might be favourite character in the series. 

All in all, a solid season 2 with some “eh”-worthy choices— 3/5. Excited to see where season 3 goes. (They played I Don’t Wanna Be Too Cool by Kate Fagan and I felt like such a music nerd it was awesome)

This is a review for comedy-drama series Search Party. Sorry, random short film. 

Season 1: Though the first couple of episodes are mildly annoying, Search Party’s kick-off season proved to be very entertaining thematically. Weaving a character’s search for purpose into the story of her looking for a missing person is a great concept that payed off well in the ten episode run (the mystery’s resolution before that thing happens is pure gold). The show sometimes stumbles with its extremely obvious American humor, but finds its footing when our “party” is together trying to sort out a plan. Search Party is at its funniest when the core group is frantically bickering amongst themselves. Which in some way is a downside, because they’re self-centered cunts. I know it’s a satire on the  overt selfishness of a specific generation, but watching people be self centered assholes can be draining in this format.

Another downside is towards episodes 6-8, I found myself checking out of the mystery a bit. It just wasn’t as engaging after a while. 

But beyond that, this is a well done study in purpose in the skin of Nancy Drew for a generation of apathy. I don’t really like rating things that much anymore but fuck it—solid 3.5/5 (would be a 4, but I find the first two episodes a chore). 

Season 2: Ditching the vintage mystery premise of season 1 in favor of a more Hitchcock-esque “paranoia thriller” (in the creators’ words), Search Party doesn’t always stick the landing in season 2, but it’s still very entertaining. I’ll get the bad out of the way—

This season’s story aesthetic didn’t really grab me like season 1. It’s not very “Hitchcock” and sure there are elements of paranoia, but all in all it just plays like a twisty comedy-drama (akin to Dead to Me but without a bad case of “I’m a white woman hear me roar” disorder). Which is fine, it still tells the story quite well. Maybe I was expecting a pastiche, which is on me. I’ll have to digest it more.

It still stands that Search Party hits comedic highs when the group is together (“AND WE LET HER HAVE THE FRONT SEAT” killed me), yet season 2 splits them up a little too often I think. Mixing up the cast I think would’ve helped as well. A one off episode with Dory ad Portia or Drew and Elliot or whatever could bring new dimensions to the characters. 

Still though, the strengths are in the storytelling and there are some fun twists and turns. Nothing jaw dropping, but when the tension’s there, it’s there. Also, this season is way funnier—mainly because we’ve had time to get to know the group. Portia is a massive standout and she might be favourite character in the series. 

All in all, a solid season 2 with some “eh”-worthy choices— 3/5. Excited to see where season 3 goes. (They played I Don’t Wanna Be Too Cool by Kate Fagan and I felt like such a music nerd it was awesome)