Episode Guide
Episode 1 – The first episode of the show had a mixed bag of reviews. Some people found it to be an interesting story, while others found it to be unoriginal and forgettable. Overall, the review score was 3/5.
The Peripheral promised a polished, sci-fi experience and an intriguing story that dealt with large questions. While Season 1 of the show fulfils the first of those expectations, it lags behind on the second. The first season of The Peripheral met most of our high expectations for a polished sci-fi experience and an intriguing story. However, it fell short in its second season in terms of fulfilling those same promises. ..
Flynne is a young girl living in a small town in the year 2032. She spends her time indulging in VR video games called sims. One day she and her brother beta test a new sim that introduces them to a fantastic new world. But Flynne soon realises there is nothing virtual about this world — it is the future itself. In this future, the world is filled with advanced technology that allows people to experience different worlds without leaving their homes. However, Flynne quickly realises that this technology isn’t what it seems. The world is actually a simulation created by an unknown party, and she and her brother are the only people who have access to it.
But the series quickly falls apart. The plot meanders and the characters are one-dimensional. Worse, the show’s creators seem to have no idea how to end it. They keep dangling tantalizing plot threads without resolving them, leaving viewers feeling frustrated and cheated. ..
The show feels like it has a lot of storylines but they don’t quite fit together to form a bigger picture.
The Peripheral is a show that is off-balance for a number of reasons. One of these reasons is the abundance of one-on-one conversations between the characters. These conversations can be interesting, but they often slow down the pacing of the show. Another reason is that The Peripheral often focuses on personal stories and memories rather than discussing larger issues. This can be interesting, but it doesn’t offer much insight into the characters or the world they live in. ..
The show’s creators have mentioned that they wanted to focus on the humanity of the characters. While these conversations make a commendable effort, it falls short of a strong emotional impact. Unfortunately, some of them just amount to telling rather than showing. ..
The weak narrative feels like even more of a letdown because of the show’s unique and intriguing characters. T’Nia Miller’s charisma as the primary antagonist is irresistible and Eli Goree does a fantastic job as the disabled Conner. Charlotte Riley’s Aelita takes the cake though. Her sarcasm and inscrutability make her the perfect enigma. It’s a shame then, that she gets such less screen time. It’s a further shame that neither Flynne nor Wilf Netherton, the series’ leading characters, made it to this list. Both are compelling characters but don’t have much in the way of personal growth and, as a result, feel a little flat towards the end.
The show tries to cram too much into one episode and it’s like mixing three delicious meals into one unappetizing whole. ..
