The Staircase is incredible. While its early momentum isn’t maintained throughout, each episode is intense, gripping, and fascinating. It never feels like it’s giving us too much information either, doling out just enough to understand what’s happening without confusing us. Although I imagine some aspects were dramatized from the real story, it stays grounded while never seeming romanticized. The entire ensemble gives knockout performances, with Colin Firth giving what is potentially a career best performance. My one complaint is that the subplot involving the documentary crew felt unnecessary, but even then, this is one of the best shows of the year.