13 Comments
Aug 15Liked by Liam Mathews

I'm a huge fan of Carl Hiaasen's novels, so when I heard this one was getting adapted I was thrilled. Doubly thrilled that it's been so well-cast and well-written so far. Triply thrilled that Episodic Medium is covering it! Looking forward to watching along with you. Bad Monkey is one of the few that I've only read once and I only remember the vaguest details of the plot - mainly Yancy's adventures as a health inspector and his fucking with the neighbour. Now I just need to resist the temptation to pull it off the shelf again and spoil the show for myself...

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Don’t do it! (Or do it, it’s fun to compare.)

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Aug 15·edited Aug 15Liked by Liam Mathews

"I’m a little suspicious of Yancy’s partner Ro. He’s subtly tried to thwart Yancy at every turn."

I felt the same. I hope not as I like the relationship, but right now he's very suspect.

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Right? “Throw the arm in a canal for the gators” is an insane suggestion for a detective to make.

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Aug 16Liked by Liam Mathews

Hmmm I didn't necessarily clock this as him being evil, more just not wanting to ruffle feathers.

Not to get meta, but I've noticed that John Ortiz is credited as a special guest star and not a regular. Wonder if that means he'll only be in like one more episode? Maybe the next death? That said, maybe that's just a weird contract situation.

(I have not read the book FWIW.)

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This is vaguely a spoiler, I suppose, but I’ve seen six episodes and I am no closer to an answer on Ortiz’s credit.

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I think you're probably right, Zach, that it's a contractual thing. Ortiz replaced Arturo Luis Soria in a recasting, which could have something to do with it. But yeah, it's an odd credit.

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Aug 17Liked by Liam Mathews

AHH that might make sense then. I honestly thought he wouldn't last an episode or two when I saw that. But he does appear to be a central part of the show so I guess I should chalk it up that weird Hollywood agreements and not the plot lol.

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Aug 18Liked by Liam Mathews

i was immediately hooked after Yancy's disgust of the McMansion and vowing to burn it down (with no one inside of course)...Fletch vs Underhill vibes.

the writing is sharp, acting is great all around, and is just a fun watch. i normally dislike voiceovers but it works here, so i really look forward to this show.

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Welcome, Liam! Your reviews captured my own excitement about these episodes. Carl Hiaasen and Elmore Leonard both seem to have the off-kilter humor and sense of place that translates so well to a great series.

I'm already wishing I had the next episode.

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Thank you! This is going to be a fun season.

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Sep 21Liked by Liam Mathews

Finally getting to this and really enjoying it. (I saw the first episode earlier in the week and the second and third tonight, so I'll probably have more to say on the third episode review.)

I'm mostly baffled with Michelle Monaghan's character at this point, though. Great performance, but I'm not really clear why she's in this story.

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“I’m a little suspicious of Yancy’s partner Ro. He’s subtly tried to thwart Yancy at every turn.”

I thought this too but thought I was the only one! So far I am enjoying this show and the Florida of it all.

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