The Peripheral

I chose this series because Chloë Grace Moretz was in it. I found her likable even in her childhood roles, and now that she has grown up, I find her even more likable. However, it's always a bit of a crap shoot with her because she often appears in movies I'd rather unsee (such as Shadow in the Cloud (2020)). This show's first season had flaws, and I won't pretend that some of them weren't significant, but it worked very decently as a whole. If the creators hadn't lost momentum in the second half of the season, I wouldn't hesitate to give it five stars. Chloë Grace Moretz was brilliant while being pleasant to the eye. The main antagonist was perfectly unattractive, and I'm afraid that the thought of her overbite will haunt me at night. I mostly enjoyed the plot, and I definitely want to watch the next season. / Lesson learned: Not all video games are the same. Obviously. 4*+ (03.06.2023)

I don't normally rate the pilot episode of a series with more than three stars, but it does happen sometimes. The start of the first season immediately caught my attention because I feel at home in the gaming world, and I really enjoy the blending of the gaming world with reality. The theme was excellently chosen, I was hooked from the very beginning, and to top it all off, Chloë Grace Moretz was cast in the lead role. / Lesson learned: The quality of some video games can literally make your eyes fall out of their sockets. (28.05.2023)

The story has a great atmosphere, which goes hand in hand with skillfully-crafted tension and well-executed action. There is no lack of cunning intrigues, plans, and counter plans. / Lesson learned: One hand can't clap, but it can break your jaw. 4*+ (29.05.2023)

If I claimed that I didn't enjoy myself during the third episode, I would be lying shamelessly. The creators didn't just rely on a quality atmosphere, solid tension, and well-developed action because the viewer can quickly become immune to that after a number of episodes. That's why they imbued the plot with a mystery that raises plenty of questions that remain unanswered for the most part. All of this forms a perfect mix that simply can't bore me. Sure, there were moments when a slightly different approach to a situation would have been more logical, but on the other hand, it would have prematurely ended the series. And do I want that? No, I don't. / Lesson learned: Before you reach for the money, imagine all those who have held it in their hands before you. (29.05.2023)

The fourth episode was extremely "optimistic." While lacking in action, it brought many clear answers to questions that had accumulated in my mind during the first season so far. Although I slightly deduct points from the rating because the previous episode was more complex, in no way am I complaining about a lack of plot, nor did I consider it a pointless filler. I received significant, interesting information, and I definitely enjoyed myself. I completely understood Conner's enthusiasm; I myself experience similar states even with regular video games, in which I can jump over puddles, climb rocks or buildings, and even swim again (!!!). On the flip side, the player commits genocide on all animal species (including humanoids), but as the proverb says: "You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs." / Lesson learned: Nobody wants to know the exact date and time. 4*+ (30.05.2023)

As for me, this was the weakest episode so far, which still greatly surpasses the average TV series. Nevertheless, it should be pointed out that in terms of story development, it didn't move forward at all. It was interesting; there was significantly more action than in the previous episode, but there didn't seem to be any purpose to it. However, as I am still enjoying the first season, I will assume that everyone is just taking a break to catch their breath, and the remaining three episodes will be worth it. I am afraid that the situation on the bridge played right into the hands of all the fervent proponents of the Second Amendment; without it, the series would have reached an abrupt end. / Lesson learned: Before going to work, every American should check their hair, make-up, the condition of their clothes and vehicle, and load their gun. (30.05.2023)

Well, it seems that the creators are either preparing for the grand finale of the first season, or they simply let themselves be lulled by how things have been going so far. The plot of the sixth episode was a bit snooze-inducing. Although things were being resolved here and there, in the end, not much happened. But seriously, so far, I have mostly praised the show; the fifth episode was noticeably weaker, and the sixth one even more so, so I'm starting to worry that the second half of the season could be significantly different (and therefore worse). This episode was just a recap of who is playing for which team, which I found pointless because I haven't lost track, and I didn't need to refresh my memory. / Lesson learned: Are you disabled? Don't throw objects out of your reach. (02.06.2023)

After two previous disappointments, I am a little cautious, but the creators have improved my impression with the penultimate episode. Of course, the dialogues and monologues could have been less drawn-out. I had a hard time keeping my attention during the boring ones, but action definitely suits this series. Not that I can't handle a two-hour existential drama, but I expect something different from this show. This time, there was finally some development in the story, and the change for the better was immediately noticeable. / Lesson learned: When you force someone to choose between two options, there is a risk that they will choose the one that you don't like. 4*+ (02.06.2023)

I will not pretend that the finale was the greatest episode of the first season, but it was definitely better than the plot of the fifth and sixth episodes, which brought almost nothing except filler. As a principle, I do not react negatively to other people's reviews. Still, I wonder why some viewers expect extensive explanations and closures from the end of the first season. Like in all previous episodes, there was a lot of senseless prattle, but the creators hid several significant pieces of information amidst the noise. I quite enjoyed the direction in which the whole thing is going now. / Lesson learned: If you hit a squirrel in the eye from three kilometers away, you are probably a decent shooter. 4*+ (03.06.2023)