I can’t pinpoint a particular reason why I liked this limited series. It’s the type of bizarre, genre-bending storytelling that I often enjoy (when executed well). But there are so many shows and films out there doing that these days (trying to be crazy and philosophical in an attempt to stand out), so it doesn’t always mean they’re doing it right. To be honest, I’m not sure what Maniac does right. I could probably make a list of all the things it does wrong (I won’t). All I can really say is that I liked it. It tickled my brain and my heart. Emma Stone was great, director Cary Joji Fukunaga has a command over the show’s look and feel, showrunner/writer Patrick Somerville crafted a script that was both hilarious and heartbreaking, that was able to keep the audience off balance while still also allowing us to buy into the emotional backbone of the characters and their struggles. And Dan Romer’s wonderful, bittersweet soundtrack truly elevated each scene and moment where it was present. This is just one of those shows that has an extra little bit of inexplicable magic – the kind that can hide many of its deficiencies.

4 out of 5 stars