Snowfall

While the particulars of the conflict matter less than the emotions and ideas underpinning them, the balance that is stuck ensures the series remains a strong one. Whenever the dust settles on this collapsing empire, both the one Franklin has built and America itself, the tragedy of Snowfall is shaping up to be as potent as the delicate craft on display from all involved.

As much as the series relentlessly depicts the struggle against poverty and the skewed impact on money and dominance at all cost, “Snowfall” never fails to crackle with an intensity and intellect palpably lacking in most of the season’s schedule at the moment.

Snowfall mostly delivers on its promise. But it also benefits from having more room to breathe than most freshman dramas. If Snowfall really wants to establish any kind of empire, it’ll have to run leaner in future installments.

Though the show is very skillfully made and impeccably performed overall, it suffers a little from the bloated storytelling issues that are currently endemic to the industry.

This hyper-violent crime soap from creator, executive producer, director and writer John Singleton is punctuated with some terrific performances fighting against predictable plot bumps.

It’s fine for a story of broad scope to take its time setting the table, but it needs to hook you on character in the meantime. Only Franklin’s story really does, and that’s almost entirely on the strength of Mr. Idris’s controlled charisma.

Billing itself as the story of "how crack began," Snowfall is really just a collection of cliches and set pieces you've already seen in other, much better narcodramas.

This show was utterly brilliant from start to finish, there is very little I can actually critique about it. What's refreshing about it is that you actually feel things for certain characters, I won't give examples because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. I was surprised, shocked and on edge throughout the entire thing. Saddened by how evil some of the people were but somehow you understood them. What's refreshing is that when work is passed over, The late great John Singleton created this - after his passing, it didn't get worse. It somehow kept up momentum and didn't get worse which is what a lot of shows end up doing once it changes hands. They did John proud. The actors and everyone involved were absolutely incredible but what I felt most about the ending (and I hope that I don't give too much away) was that after everything, I just felt sad. Sad that certain people died and despite Franklin being a smart, charismatic, brilliant and powerful leader he ends up the way he does and it fills me with such sadness. Despite losing everything, despite his evil, he could have still come back. People still cared about him but he chooses to live the way he does and it just fills me sadness. He had so much and yet when it's over he decides to live in squaller. It's very accurate I suppose but after everything, more often than not, I just felt sad and empty and I suppose that was the intention. Sensational, from start to finish.

One of best shows I have seen on TV since The Wire. Great writing and memorable characters. If you are fan of any of John Singleton's previous work I think you will enjoy this show as well. And the writers kept John's legacy going after his passing. Because this show was good from beginning to the end. R.I.P John Singleton

I never we knew the details of Iran contra, this series explains it well. And besides that, it’s an incredible series. Well written, well acted. Or a single weak link. Everyone is terrific. Who knew the actor playing Franklin is actually English. He deserves an award for this. I this the series deserves an award. I am hooked.

This may be THE most compelling Series EVER assembled by ANY network. A better plot than POWER, more entertaining than OZARKS, and probably the greatest character casting of all time by a Movie or Series. This work pulls FX to the TOP of the heap!! Sorry NetFlix, Starz, HBO, CINEMAX & Showtime, but theres a new sheriff in town. This work will probably never be rivalled, much less topped. Congrats to all at FX and this amazing cast for coming as close to perfection as is currently possible.

John Singletons layered take on the american nightmare that was the iran contra affair and the crack cocaine scurge that was dominate in the 80s.