Fantastic!

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

What a completely fascinating and original storyline. It is true that it has a dark tone throughout, which can sometimes wear on you, but the plot turns are unexpected and manage to keep you engaged at all times. Casting is perfect all the way around. Even though some elements of the characters' lives may seem unbelievable, the mental degeneration that Dr. Chance experiences seems totally plausible, given the circumstances. I've never seen a piece of vigilante-themed work quite like this one.

"Chance" is dark metaphorically and physically - half of it seems to have been shot during "Earth Hour". However it has twists and turns we don't see coming and nobody is as they seem. Hugh Laurie plays Dr. Eldon Chance, a divorced forensic neuropsychiatrist with skeletons in the closet. We see why there isn't much mirth in his life when we glimpse some his cases. Most of them seem to have ended up on a hospital gurney or with a plastic bag over their head. However his fees must have been healthy; he has an epicurean taste with interests in things such as classic furniture with price tags up around the 80K mark.The furniture leads to involvement with 'D' (Ethan Suplee), an ex-special forces type of guy built like a tank. 'D' reveals that he is also a student of the human psyche, especially when it involves violence. But it's when the doctor becomes involved with Jaclyn Blackstone (Gretchen Mol), that the situation has the potential for more trouble than a footballer in a nightclub.Jaclyn could be suffering from multiple personality disorder; two are in evidence, one more dangerous than the other. She also claims to have been abused by her husband. Unfortunately the husband is a homicide cop. Chance comments that a cop knows the system. 'D' informs him, "he is the system". There are touches of humour in the exchanges between Chance and 'D'. However to really bring this baby home, there needed be a surprise at the end that leaves us gasping. Not so easy to do when "Chance" pulls off a perfect two and a half back-somersault with twists around episode 7 when Chance learns the truth about 'D', it was always going to be tough to give us an ending to match that, and "Chance" ends a little sotto voce.The second series develops the characters more as Chance and 'D' go into the urban vigilante business big time. It's good, very good, but it's hard to beat the experience of the first time round.

Give it a chance. I thought it was very morbid at first and I couldn't finish the first episode for a couple of days. Next thing I know, I'm binge watching. It gets better quickly and is some sort of odd mashup of Dexter, House, and Death Wish. Plus a little bit of Fatal Attraction. In other words it crosses genres. What makes it truly creepy is Hugh Laurie's rationality and humanity. Most of these fictionally depicted drives through the dark side entertain us by being just a little fantastical so we can step back and watch as a viewer instead of gulping nervously as a shadow participant. Because Hugh Laurie is so grounded and convincing, the whole series makes me shudder. On the creep factor, the first season is almost creepier than Mind Hunter.

I decided to give this show a 'chance' after seeing what an incredible cast it boasts. It's VERY good so far on many levels. Hugh Laurie is just an incredible actor, in everything (A Bit of Fry & Laurie, et al). Gretchen Mol is beautiful and believable. All acting is exquisite. Again, this is after watching episode one only. I look forward to more.