UNTAMED: SEASON ONE
Starring: Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Lily Santiago, Rosemarie DeWitt, Wilson Bethel, William Smillie, Raoul Max Trujillo, Josh Randall, and Ezra Franky
Creators: Mark L. Smith, Elle Smith
KATIE
Despite its title, Untamed is incredibly subdued. It makes no effort to move away from tropes, following Eric Bana’s gruff cop/detective character with a tragic past, whose drinking problem, no-nonsense demeanour, and unwillingness to work with others make him no less capable at his job. The plot is slightly convoluted and very predictable, and aside from gorgeous scenes of mountains and sweeping forests, it is exceedingly boring. Unfortunately, what stood out most to me is the lack of tension. From the sense of mystery to what is supposed to be the climactic reveal, there’s no excitement or suspense.
QUENTIN
The problem with the recent glut of moody crime series like Untamed is that they are all trying to replicate True Detective. Or Ozark. Or Mare of Easttown. Or most Taylor Sheridan shows. However, you need more than the algorithm-driven formula of “tortured vibes + grumpy alcoholic sheriff x recognizable stars” to make a good series. In this case, the mystery is almost an irrelevant afterthought to the relentless onslaught of convoluted subplots exploring the various traumas of every single protagonist. It makes for an admittedly decently acted series that doesn't deliver much more than gloominess, unimpactful twists, a predictable ending, and beautiful landscapes.
