THE BOUROUGHS: S1

The Boroughs conjures up a spellbinding, Amblin inspired science fiction mystery that delivers not only binge worthy television, but unforgettable characters and remarkable performances from its ensemble cast that guarantees it will be your next science fiction television obsession.

With Stranger Things having concluded, there is a hole in the Netflix streaming lineup that needs replacing as the streamer searches for its next big scale, science fiction fantasy hit. The answer may just lie in the new series from creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, The Boroughs, which just happens to be executive produced by The Duffer Brothers themselves. Don’t let the setting of a retirement community fool you or turn you off watching this series, because what unfolds is a thrilling television mystery full of danger, excitement, laughter and an unwavering heart. With an incredible lead cast of Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, and Bill Pullman who all deliver emotionally resonant performances that grapple with their characters’ age and contemplation of mortality, and an entertaining science fiction mystery that ensures you will constantly hit play on the next episode, The Boroughs is great, though albeit predictable, television that revels in its nostalgia that captures the magic of an 1980s Amblin production for an older generation.

A modern day retirement community in picturesque existence in the middle of a desert with an impeccable Americana aesthetic miles away from society, what could possibly be wrong with that? That is the hook of Addiss and Matthews’ series as there is a sinister entity lurking within the community preying on its residents, which is how they kick off the premiere episode of the season to catch viewers’ attention. It’s an effective and creepy start that builds mystery around this community and the larger narrative of The Boroughs’ first season, while the focus shifts to its newest resident, Molina’s recently widowed Sam Cooper, as he struggles to adjust to his new life as he refuses to accept that fact that he is at this chapter in his life.

While it is likely that viewers will clue in early on in the season as to where Addiss and Matthews are going with this dangerous monster within The Boroughs retirement community and the potentially sinister intentions of its CEO Blaine Shaw, as the trajectory of that story is familiar and predictable, especially given the series’ central thematic exploration. Though, what sustains the series and makes it an infectious, heartfelt and enjoyable watch from start to finish is its honest and heartfelt approach to age, community and mortality. With the leading characters being retired professionals at an age where society begins to see them as anything other than old, there is a sense of loss within these characters who have lost what used to motivate them, loved ones and a sense of independence living in the confines of The Boroughs. This grief is tackled head on, interwoven with the larger science fiction mystery at play, but it is within this loss and relegation to the retirement community where Addiss and Matthews find the beating heart of The Boroughs.

Aging is not seen as a detriment, but a liberating new chapter in life for the main characters as they begin to explore the dangerous mystery surrounding their retirement, which itself weaves in ideas of mortality and time that are all too real for our protagonists giving their current position in life. The characters’ strength and defiance of their age, treating it as a number and not a barrier to living life to the fullest, allows their individual personalities to shine throughout as they explore their new stage in life: Sam with the grief of the loss of his wife, O’Hare’s Wally with facing death in the eyes with his cancer diagnosis, or Davis’ Renee and her energetic presence as she strives to live the same lifestyle she had as a music manager. Through these characters, the true meaning of community emerges, greatly contrasting the evidently terrifying intentions behind The Boroughs, that not only heals each individual protagonist from the loss they are grappling with, but warms the hearts of viewers who find the deeper meaning beneath the surface of The Boroughs’ science fiction mystery.

Given the star studded cast The Boroughs boasts, it is no surprise that the performances are not only excellent across the board, but the driving force of the entire series. Molina is excellent in the lead role of Sam, instilling his performance with a profound sense of loss as Sam navigates life without his wife and his new grief. It’s a palpable performance that bonds the audience with Sam and invests them in his search for the truth, building personal stakes for both Sam and the audience. Davis is a force to be reckoned with as Renee, stealing every scene she was with an impeccable comedic timing as she delivers hard truths to her friends, while also finding a great vulnerability as her character embarks on her unique journey with age given the jet-setting rockstar life she lived before finding herself in The Boroughs. O’Hare is great as Wally, bringing some great comedic moments to the series, usually alongside Davis; and Woodard and Peters are wonderful as Judy and Art, navigating both their characters’ personal arcs and marriage with strength and compassion. But it is the onscreen chemistry that these five actors share together that is what truly brings the series to life. It truly is magical watching Molina, Davis, Woodard, O’Hare and Peters share the screen, capturing instant lightning in a bottle with their infectious and fun energy throughout the season, at the same as finding moments of deep honesty and truth between themselves as their characters grapple with this new stage of life.

While it is the lead cast that is the entire series, the supporting cast is equally as talented. Seth Numrich is effective as The Boroughs’ CEO Blaine Shaw, finding a great balance between empathy towards the community’s residents and their families and mysterious aura that teases his intentions may not be as altruistic as they appear. As Sam’s daughter Claire, Jena Malone does a wonderful job bottling her character’s emotional baggage with the grief for the loss of her mother and worry for her father being alone as she supports him through this new phase in life, delivering some painfully honest moments about children’s fear of losing their parents. At the same time, her on screen chemistry with Molina creates a beautiful father-daughter relationship and helps to create some truly fun moments later on in the season as Claire finds herself discovering the truth about The Boroughs.

Some of the residents of The Boroughs are played by legendary actors, creating some wonderful side characters like Dee Wallace as Grace and Mary McDonnell as Duchess who leave their mark on the season, or Jane Kaczmarek as Lilly, Sam’s recently deceased wife, who has some lovely flashback scenes opposite Molina that instills depth into Sam’s storyline and that stirs emotions within viewers. Though, the most unforgettable supporting performance of the season belongs to Pullman as Jack Willard, Sam’s new neighbour in The Boroughs. While Pullman starts off with a laid back, care free bachelor attitude as Jack, by the time Jack hits his big speech in the first episode and addresses grief and time head on, it's an achingly beautiful performance that not only tugs on the heartstrings, but proves this screen legend still has it.

Where The Boroughs thrives is in its design, which on so many levels radiates nostalgia and calls back to the magic of Amblin Studios films. The production design and set decoration for The Boroughs itself is exquisite, finding a great balance of a retro 1950s and 60s American aesthetic while mixing in modern technology, somehow creating an idyllic community of tomorrow. John Paesano’s musical score is full of wonder and danger, echoing John Williams’ ideas in E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (especially with the use of the piano) with musical themes that sparks imagination and gives the season’s narrative a truly out of this world grandeur. Matching the golden oldies in the cast is a great soundtrack of classic hit songs that the characters would have grown up listening to, featuring artists such as Tina Turner, Earth, Wind & Fire; and Santana among many others. Though, it is the two needle drops from the boss himself Bruce Springsteen that have the most emotional resonance with the story, with “Born to Run” capturing the spirited energy of the characters in defiance of the aging label placed on them by society, and “Thunder Road” which becomes the heartfelt anthem for both Sam and the series.

Wearing its heart on its sleeve while delivering a science fiction mystery that makes for binge worthy television, Netflix has their next hit on their hands with The Boroughs. Creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews find truth about the human spirit and connection in writing about an older generation that delivers big laughter, excitement and heart within the context of a science fiction adventure, capturing the magic of Amblin Studios and showcasing the talents of their star studded cast that features the likes of Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters and Bill Pullman who are an absolute treat to watch on screen together. With a magical musical score from John Paesano that won’t let you skip the opening credits each episode, a stellar soundtrack of unforgettable tunes from the past, outstanding performances from the entire cast, and a captivating mystery, The Boroughs has everything that binge worthy television requires and treats audiences to a beautiful story of aging, community and mortality that entertains from start to finish!