EPISODIC REVIEW: "The Resort" Episodes 1-4; Beware the Yellow Snake
10/12 ForReel Score | 4/5 Stars
As time goes by, relationships change. Couples will fall out of love, yet remain tethered to each other. It could be out of care they still have, fear of being alone, longing for the past, or a multitude of other reasons. Showrunner Andy Siara (Palm Springs) investigates the turbulence of long-lasting relationships as well as the blossoming desire of new love in his latest series The Resort, crafting an emotional multigenerational love story that on the surface looks like an investigative thriller.
Trying to mend the crack in their marriage, Emma (Cristin Milioti, Made For Love) and Noah (William Jackson Harper, The Good Place) spend their 10 year anniversary on a trip to an all inclusive resort in Mexico. After an ATV accident, Emma finds an old flip phone in the jungle. Discovering it belonged to a guest who went missing 15 years ago sends her curiosity into a full tail spin. Emma scours across the Yucatán trying to find answers, pulling Noah down the rabbit hole with her, and the couple finds themselves in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy. The story flashes between the two timelines as the mystery unravels.
Emma and Noah are captivating characters that seem like people I’d love to be friends with. Milioti tends to play very similar characters, but she plays erratic so well, it’s always a joy to see her on screen. Emma has lost herself in the relationship and as she journeys to find herself, she loses control. Noah is fearful of the chaos. He’s become complacent with how tranquil their relationship has become. Emma and Noah have become completely different people but they have a magnetic pull to each other. Milioti and Harper's chemistry is so natural that their love is honest and caring. Audiences will champion them as they get deeper and deeper into the mystery.
Skyler Gisondo (Santa Clarita Diet) is hysterical as Sam. He oozes likeability anytime he’s on the screen. He’s slightly awkward, but that’s what makes him so endearing. I would periodically wish The Resort wasn’t a mystery at all just for the security in knowing he’ll have a happy ending, hoping he just ran off with his new love interest Violet (Nina Bloomgarden, Good Girl Jane) and avoided certain death. Actors like Nick Offerman (Devs), Debby Ryan (Insatiable) and Dylan Baker (Revolutionary Road) feel underutilized, yet still offer stellar performances with what little they have.
The first episode drags a tad, but as Emma becomes enthralled in uncovering secrets, the true hijinks that ensues becomes more and more riveting. The story is very clever and keeps you guessing. Nothing is quite as it seems and each episode ends with more questions than answers. Every cliffhanger pulls the audience in closer and makes us more enthralled in the mystery. Siara is masterful at creating microcosms of chaos in what should be a relaxing vacation setting. He plays with genre but that doesn’t hinder him from finding the right balance of tone. The comedy never undermines the suspense. A few jokes are sprinkled around to calm the waters when the tension reaches capacity.
Cinematographer Santiago Benet Mari (Blue Miracle) adds to the true beauty of the show. The camera swims through scenes showcasing the full scope of The Resort. One scene in episode 3 sees the devastated Oceana Vista transform back to its former glory with such ease. Mari has done the camera work for all of Bad Bunny’s music videos, giving him a more explorative style that finds serenity in the chaos. Every transition cuts like butter.
Mysteries, much like love, raise questions that always have answers. The Resort is audacious in the way it interconnects a love story with a bizarre mystery. Teaming up again with Cristin Milioti, Siara is able to recreate the same elements that made Palm Springs so fun and improve on it, weaving together another wacky love story that is able to explore other genres. He raises many questions, but most importantly will solving a decade old mystery reignite the passion in a failing relationship? You’ll just have to watch and see.
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Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 1 | Reviewer's Preference - 1 | What does this mean?