In the Dark- Season One Review

In the Dark is a US series that I recently finished watching. My taste is eclectic, but I recognize that the plot of the series had me begging for me!

There are 3 seasons out, but today I would like to focus on season one!

So, you may ask, Ana, why did you like the first season?

The plot was interesting; let me break it down for you using the  Disney formula!

Once upon a time, there was a blind woman in her twenties named Murphy Mason.  She used to drink a lot and have meaningless sexual encounters. She used to work at Guiding Hope, a company created by her parents, to train service dogs. She lived with her best friend (Jess), who she had known since childhood, a vet who ALSO worked at Guiding Hope; Jess was Murphy’s handler. Murphy is depicted as a very sarcastic, inconsiderate, and emotionally detached character.

Here are some moments that bring to life the funny, yet irreverent nature of Miss Mason from season one  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUnSHCEaYCc

One day, Murphy goes to her usual spot where she  smokes in an alley close to her apartment and calls out to her best friend (underage and super cute!) Tyson Parker. ( Click here to see Tyson Parker’s cuteness! https://cwatlanta.cbslocal.com/2019/05/03/in-the-dark/)

How did this unlikely pair meet?

Tyson saved Murphy from a violent mugging.

Tyson is usually in this alley since he is a dealer, and the alley is where he moves his product.  Murphy finds Tyson lying on the ground and is non-responsive; she identifies him by feeling his face.   Murphy leaves the alley to get help, and when she comes back with the police, the body is gone.  The police are skeptical to look for Tyson since Murphy is intoxicated. The way she identified the body was not considered substantial evidence to assume Tyson was dead or kidnapped.

Because of that, Murphy engages in an unskilled investigation to find Tyson or Tyson’s body. This gives her life purpose.

Because of that, Murphy undergoes a series of events where she, her best friend, and another Guiding Hope worker (Felix, who pretty much got roped into this mess) go against drug dealers, steal illegitimate money,  and go to jail. The unfortunate events keep rolling in; Murphy gets stranded in the woods and has a fallout with her best friend Jess…You get the picture!  Towards the end of the season, the police discover Tyson’s body. Murphy is not content because she wants to know WHO killed Tyson. Her search for answers continues.

Until finally, in the last episode of season 1, Murphy learns that Tyson’s killer was actually one of the detectives (Dean) assigned to the case, who was giving information to a drug dealer (Nia)  in exchange for financial support. Nia was Tyson’s boss!.

Murphy sleeps with Dean and gets him to confess that he killed Tyson, also offering that he killed Tyson because the latter found out about his agreement with Nia (Murphy secretly recording this conversation!). Murphy tries to escape with the recording, but Dean catches up to her and forces her into a car. Murphy physically assaults Dean while he is driving, which causes him to hit her back and lose control of the wheel. The car literally falls off a bridge and FLIPS OVER. Somehow, Murphy and Dean make it out alive!

Oh yeah….. The culmination of season one happens when  The drug dealer Nia forces Murphy, Jess, and Felix (new owner of Guiding Hope) to launder money for her (The best part of the season!).  Also, even though Murphy gave the recording to the police, Dean gets out scotch-free!  If you are interested to see the trailer for season 2, click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIEnbqve3rY

Besides the plot, I like the portrayal of characters. They are complex individuals driven by various factors to behave in specific manners.  While usually inconsiderate, Murphy cares deeply about her friend Tyson because she actually made an emotional connection with him; it shows her humane and gentle side. However, it came at the expense of creating tension with Jess. Murphy does not appreciate anything that Jess does. On the other hand, Jess realizes the unfair manner in which Murphy treats her. Furthermore, I enjoy watching relationship dynamics and seeing how characters navigate complex emotions. I believe a series is good when there is character development, which happens very slowly for Murphy, by entering a romantic relationship, developing a relationship with her service dog, and recognizing her unfair treatment towards Jess.

Thank you for reading my review! Let me know if you have watched the show and share your favorite moments!