Random TV Show Review - Happy! (Seasons 1-2)

When I find something that is called Happy, there is lots of things that people think about when they hear that word. Of course happy is generally known and seen as a positive thing, but this series is anything but happy. It's close to watching a series about a guy doing drugs (and if we have learned anything from Breaking Bad, drugs are serious things not to be messed with) or just a guy with problems be it mental or something else entirely. While it's mainly a SYFY show (and another one that didn't last very long, but did get two seasons which is something I guess), over here in the UK it's a Netflix original and if I'm being honest, it does look like the sort of show that Netflix would quite literally happily take on. It's also apparently based on a four issue comic book series which is also interesting. So let's see if this show has any happiness in it (but I doubt that very much):

Season 1 - Christmas

Set around Christmas time, the first series sees ex-cop turned hitman and then cab driver Nick Sax (played by Christopher Meloni) go through a seemingly mental break down. Something that's made worst when an imaginary friend called Happy (voiced by Patton Oswald) seeks his help in rescuing a girl which just so happens to be Nick's estranged daughter. Although reluctant at first, he works with Happy to save her as a means to grant her wish to see him as the hero cop that he apparently is. But as its Christmas, there will be trouble ahead with many going onto the naughty list (probably). Its one of those shows that is unusual, needs people to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate it and largely acts as a dark comedy series. And honestly it works. It's not for everyone, but it's a good first series with great performances from its two leads and an overall good experience. 8/10

 

Season 2 - Easter

Easter arrives and with it comes a series of new problems for Nick and Happy. Nick is trying hard to reform himself for his daughter after he decides to be a full time cab driver. But his redemption is cut short when a series of Easter related criminal activities begin to take place and he works once again with Happy to bring those activities to an end. This series feels like its trying to almost be like the first, but set in Easter and with the daughter not needing to be rescued as such, but needing to be safe from the criminal activities taking place. But unlike say The Hangover Part II in which its an almost exact copy of the first film, the second series of Happy! does do a lot of new things such as a different villain with a Donald Trump like motive to make Easter great again and some things to do with organ harvesting. So yeah another good series, but I'd say the first is still the best one. 7/10

Not a bad series overall, but it's really only for those that can cope with its content. That was probably why it got cancelled because it's not something that will get high ratings given the nature of the show. But for what it is, its alright and definitely worth one of those shows that people religiously watch depending on the holiday. 8/10