Show’s pilots must present a full-fledged universe that existed even before the opening titles, without falling on the dangers of making a 60-minute dialogue-exposition. Critics believe HBO’s newcomer comedy “High Maintenance” reached a high mark in its premiere, “Meth(od).”
The series introduced with a different meth(od) because it is both a season one, episode one of an HBO series and an episode one, season seven of a web series. Somehow, the debut functions as an easy entry and re-entry point for High Maintenance amateurs and pros alike.
The show depicts New York adult life through the eyes of a very unlikely confident: the weed dealer, the person who knows when someone is at their lowest, who share their darkest secrets and develops, albeit not a friendship, more personal relationship than any other.
A city of strangers with one connection
The dealer goes by “The Guy.” He meets many characters across Brooklyn through his service and has a short glimpse of their customers’ daily routine with every delivery.
The show’s description reads likely: “a city of strangers with one connection” And this respect is the guy who sells weed to all the characters.
The result is an absurd comedy about the things that could happen to someone who spends its days in and out stranger’s apartments. The plot also goes around the central theme of the show: connecting with people in the Big Apple, a pleasure that seems more difficult with each passing day.
The show stars are their creators: Ben Sinclair as The Guy, and his wife, Katka Blichfeld as a VIP client, Becky. The showrunners premiered the show as Vimeo’s first original web series on 2012, with six seasons and nineteen episodes. HBO’s run will go for six hour-long chapters.
The show’s premiere got a 98% review on Rotten Tomatoes
It came as no surprise the high reviews the premiered got from critics and the high ratings it enjoyed from the audience.
Sinclair and Blichfeld used their new platform and resources to tackle new issues absent in the original web series. For example, episode two is going to feature a rebellious teenager that lives under the pressure of the high expectations of a Pakistani Muslim family.
Another standout is the return of Max Jenkins to his web series character, Max, who tries to make positive changes in his life, much to his wife’s disagreement.
Not to forget that there will also be an entire episode from the perspective of a dog. High Maintenance goes live on HBO every Friday at 11 p.m.
Source: AV Club