In a television landscape saturated with content, Sugar may be one of the most surprising series of recent years. But maybe it does so by pushing the expectations of the well-liked viewer too much. Despite the somewhat tepid reviews it has received, I decided to give this production a chance, which seems to want to pay homage to the noir genre. However, what starts as a classic detective mystery takes an unexpected turn, and does so in such a crazy way that left me speechless just when I was thinking about giving up the series to reinstall L.A. Noire.
Spoiler Alert. Yes, friends, in this article I spoil the ending of the first season of Sugar, so if you haven’t watched it yet and prefer to keep the mystery, I recommend you stop here, but then come back.
A detective series with an unexpected twist
Sugar is Apple TV+’s latest foray into the detective series genre, and its premise seems relatively classic at first glance. The plot follows John Sugar, played by Colin Farrell, a private detective with a mysterious past who delves into the underworld of Hollywood to solve the disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the granddaughter of a legendary film translator. Sugar is not just any detective; his personality is imbued with the influence of the greats of noir: Philip Marlowe, Sam Spade, Dixon Steele, Dave Bannion… Even the iconic Harry Powell. However, despite being infused with homages and references to film noir, the series has been met with criticism highlighting that as a detective series, it is a rather weak product. And although as a detective series it may not be as enigmatic and mysterious as a story needs to become a classic, it does have the craziest plot twist of recent years. An epic” WTF”.
The series, created by Mark Protosevich, stands out for Colin Farrell’s charismatic and complex performance. However, Sugar has been criticized especially for its narrative structure. Alan Sepinwall, in his review for Rolling Stone, rightly points out that Sugar shares that ugly habit that seems to have infected many series of making its first season its pilot episode, presenting story arcs and establishing many narrative foundations without advancing much in the plot, waiting for a second season to develop everything exposed. That is true in Sugar, but it is also true that reaching the end of the season receives such a surprising and unexpected plot twist, so strange, that I understand perfectly why many people don’t like it. And it’s because you came to watch a series about a private detective looking for a missing girl and end up watching a story of an alien trying to fit into the dehumanized society of Los Angeles inspired by his love for film noir.
The plot twist: from detective to science fiction
Boom!. Maybe we should have suspected that being an Apple TV+ series, we could find a touch of science fiction. This is where Sugar really surprises and bewilders the audience. Of course, if you haven’t watched the series I’ve spoiled the surprise for you, although you were warned. Throughout the series, the story of a private detective looking for a missing woman becomes something much stranger and more surreal. Although there are small details here and there, towards the end of the season, it is revealed that John Sugar is not a simple investigator. This plot twist is so unexpected that I understand why many people have felt disappointed. You were expecting one thing and you were actually watching something else.
The shift towards science fiction is a risky decision. Some may find it an unexpected stroke of genius, while others may consider it too radical a deviation from what was initially promised. The surprise that Sugar is an alien not only redefines the purpose of the series but also raises interesting questions about the nature of identity and purpose in an environment that, at first glance, seemed entirely mundane. Of course, everything changes in view of a possible second season yet to be confirmed. It also explains why Sugar is so nice, and it’s because it’s impossible to be so nice being human. Unless you’re Keanu Reeves. Is Keanu Reeves human?
Is it worth watching Sugar?
Sugar has a distinctive value in the current television landscape: it has taken risks, and maybe the move didn’t turn out perfectly, but taking risks nowadays in a mass entertainment product seems almost inconceivable and suicidal. While the series may not stand out as a masterpiece of the noir genre, its ability to surprise and challenge the conventions of the genre is worthy of recognition as a work of science fiction. The unexpected ending and the revelation of John Sugar’s true nature add a layer of complexity that, although polarizing, is fascinating.
For those looking for a classic detective series with a solid plot and a satisfying resolution, Sugar may not completely meet those expectations. However, if you are willing to embark on a narrative adventure that deviates into the unknown and the surreal, maybe I have piqued your curiosity enough to encourage you to watch Sugar. I believe the plot twist more than I believe Colin Farrell’s hair dye, honestly, and I can’t wait to hear about the second season because I am convinced that the interesting part is just beginning.
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