I don't think I've ever seen a show that is A) THIS damn funny, that B) ALSO kept me on the edge of my seat throughout its duration. It's a combination I didn't even know was possible. Especially in this episode - the season one finale - which made me feel just about every emotion I'm capable of feeling. I know I'm not saying anything that hasn't already been said in this thread, but holy crap, what a thrilling and masterful achievement.
I seriously think this one of the top five seasons of television I've ever seen.
I know it's garnered a lot of praise, but I still don't think people are talking about it nearly enough. The writing, the production design, the performances... it's all just incredible. Elle Fanning has always been considered a great actress, and while I've liked her in what I've seen of her, I've never really thought of her as anything special. But now? I completely get it. Because she's amazing in this. It's Nicholas Hoult who steals the show for me, though. He's so, so good, and so, so funny here. Just a pitch-perfect assh*le, who somehow becomes more complicated and likable the more he continues to reinforce his assh*le-ness. To the point where that final scene between him and Fanning was so mind-blowingly electric that I found myself rooting for all outcomes at once. Nine-and-a-half episodes intricately built to that very moment, and it delivered and then some.
I absolutely cannot wait for season two.
Thanks again for pushing me over the edge on this one, SP.
