Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne of Russian Doll) is a cocktail waitress and former card hustler working at the Frost Casino in Nevada, but following the murder of her best friend Charlie uses her power to tell when someone is lying to solve the murder. But, that solution comes with a cost.
Rian Johnson, of Knives Out and Glass Onion fame, said in an interview he grew up watching Columbo and Murder She Wrote. That affection for TV mysteries shows up in Poker Face as director Rian Johnson’s lead character, Charlie, finds herself involved in 10 hour long murder mystery episodes. The clever idea of a woman who is a human lie detector is the key to this series.
Rain Johnson uses Charlie’s extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying with clever plotting. Charlie hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop on her journey she encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but investigate and solve. I love Natasha Lyonne’s approach to this role!
If you’re a fan of those classic TV mystery series from the past, you’ll enjoy this 21st Century version. GRADE: B+
One of my favorite shows right now. Didn’t recognize John Ratzenberger (Cheers mailman)O. He’s put on about 100 ibs.
Steve, same here. John Ratzenberger is now twice the man he was in CHEERS!
John’s been watching—and enjoying—it, but somehow I haven’t been able to get into it. Also, the episode where a rock musician is killed by being electrocuted by his equipment is a direct lift from (or is it homage to?) the Midsomer Murders episode titled “The Ax Man Cometh”.
Deb, I suspect there is–and will be–more “homages” to COLUMBO, MURDER SHE WROTE, and MIDSOMER MURDERS in future episodes. The first episode of THREE PINES featured an electrocution murder, too.
I’m really enjoying this although Lyonne is significantly more entertaining than the plots. Really good guest stars too, especially Adrien Brody in the first episode and Chloe Sevigny as the fading rock star.
Michael, I totally agree with you on Natasha Lyonne. The whole series rests mainly on her shoulders. The guest stars do add to the appeal of this series. I’m hoping for a Second Season!
She’s worth watching even if the plot is so-so. She completely inhabits her character.
Patti, I’ve marveled at everything I’ve seen Natasha Lyonne in. She’s wonderful!
A bit off topic here, but I really hope everyone who’s loving Lyonne here is watching the utterly wonderful Bella Ramsey (oF GoT fame) in THE LAST OF US.
Michael, THE LAST OF US is on our list.
I like Lyonne too, but no Peacock. I’m sure we’ll see it eventually. But as much as I like Lyonne, we gave up on the new season of RUSSIAN DOLL halfway through. It was ridiculous.
Jeff, I did the same thing. I enjoyed the first series of RUSSIAN DOLL but it was all downhill from there.
Guy Townsend would hate this!
Bob, I suspect you are right.
I caught the first episode which was up on Peacock for free. It struck me as just OK. I like Lyonne but found her performance here a bit ingratiating and bordering on self-parody (but much better than Brody’s hammy performance). I like the fact that the show is more Hang Out TV than Peak TV (meaning you are just suppossed to chill out to it as oppissed to being engrossed by it) but found the script a bit half-baked and more like old fashioned network TV (which may have been the point).
I’d happy watch it if it was free, even with commercials, but I’m not about to pay for it. On a side note-the “Columbo” connection is obvious and cute but how has no one commented how much of the show’s DNA is clearly just as much derived from “The Fugitive”?
Byron, you’re right about THE FUGITIVE element as well as the COLUMBO format. I’m sure Rian Johnson will introduce more classic mystery series elements in future episodes. I consider POKER FACE a spoof on all those TV mystery series Rian Johnson grew up watching.
I get it for free. It has commercial breaks but they are rather short compared to network tv.