So a few weeks ago I finished rewatching this show for the first time since it finished about a year after airing. Didn't get to write my thoughts here because the search function was broken at the time.
But I have to say, on a rewatch this show easily became my favourite show of all time. Not really sure the exact reason why it hit so differently a second time, but it definitely did. I think a large reason for that is that I've grown quite a bit since it has aired and have dealt with a lot more grief so I was able to relate to each character in a much different way the second time around.
The first half of the first season is a bit of a slog and kinda filled with misery porn, but after that I have no complaints about the show. There are so many exceptional performances throughout. Carrie coon, Justin theroux, Matt, Laurie, Regina King, John, Kevin Sr, Ann Dowd, all just completely knock their roles out of the part. It's actually asinine that this show as a whole only received a single Emmy nomination.
The cinematography throughout is just exception as well as the score. Max Richter youre an amazing talent. International assassin is such a fun ride, and then in the season 2 finale when Kevin has to sing homeward bound is just so emotional and perfect.
Im obsessed with nora durst as a character. What an interesting and well written character. She acts so tough and like she has moved on and accepted her loss but that is the furthest from the truth. Deep down she is completely broken and wants nothing more than her kids back. My favourite scene in the entire show might have to in s3e6 right before nora leaves with Matt to use the device. She talks about a beach ball at a baseball game and how an usher destroyed the ball and killed everyone's enjoyment and shes confused why anyone would want that job. And in that moment she is reflecting on herself and why did she want to work a job that was responsible for tearing down the belief system that others have made up so that they can move on with their lives. Its also at that moment that Laurie finally realizes nora had no intentions trying to bust the scientists with the device but rather use it herself. She realizes nora is actually completely broken inside despite the tough exterior she shows to others. The show tackles grief, spirituality, depression, suicide, belief and so much more in such brilliant ways.
This show hit me a way that no other show has been able to. It's a master class, it's art, it's everything you could ever want in a show. Damon lindelof and Tom perrotta are geniuses.