Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed Season 1 Review: Another Win for Apple
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed wasn’t initially on my radar, if I’m being totally honest. But after finishing Widow’s Bay and Silo, I wanted to see what else Apple TV had to offer. Created by David J. Rosen, the series follows Paula Sanders, a newly divorced mother whose search for a little comfort and excitement pulls her into a string of increasingly strange and dangerous events. What starts as an escape from her everyday problems quickly becomes a matter of life and death, with plenty of dark humour along the way.
Paula is played by Tatiana Maslany, with Jake Johnson and Jessy Hodges as Karl and Mallory. Around them are Paula’s work friends, Rudy and Geri, played by Charlie Hall and Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, and detectives Sofia Gonzalez and Baxter, played by Dolly de Leon and Jon Michael Hill. Then there’s Murray Bartlett as Dennis, who adds a whole other level of trouble to Paula’s already complicated life.
I’ll admit, this one took a while to click. My girlfriend and I started it months ago, but stopped about two or three episodes in because it hadn’t really hooked us. We picked it back up recently and finished it about two weeks ago, and I’m glad we gave it another shot. It ended up being a pretty good watch, even if it took some time to get there.
Image Courtesy of Apple TV.
The story wasn’t anything to write home about, but the series came together well overall. I particularly appreciated Paula’s fight for custody of her daughter. I’ve never been married and don’t have kids, but I grew up with a single mother, so that part of the story connected with me. Paula never gives up the fight for her daughter, no matter what she was going through during the season.
Between the drama with her ex-husband and his new wife, problems at work, and the dangerous situations she gets tangled up in, she has a lot on her plate. Through it all, she keeps trying to be there for her daughter and make sure she feels cared for. That gave me something to connect with beyond the mystery.
The mystery itself still brings plenty of excitement. Paula becomes convinced she’s witnessed a crime involving a webcam model she’s grown close to, and her search for answers soon puts her own safety at risk. What begins as her search for a little connection soon spirals into a hunt for a killer, a journey to clear her own name, and a conspiracy that goes much deeper than I initially expected.
Image Courtesy of Apple.
When it comes to the performances, the entire cast does a great job. Tatiana Maslany really carries the series with her portrayal of Paula as you can feel her full range of emotions whenever she’s on screen. Whether she’s frustrated, angry, or nervous, her performance works practically all the way through. The rest of the cast doesn’t disappoint either. Her ex-husband and his new wife, Mallory, do a good job being slimy and treacherous, constantly trying to find ways to obtain full custody. Her friends Rudy and Geri are also intriguing additions that help to flesh out the storyline, with Geri having her own motivations that I’ll let you see for yourself.
The last person I wanted to discuss is Dennis, played by Murray Bartlett. I can’t say much when it comes to this character but the mystique and intrigue that Murray Bartlett lays into this character had me constantly wanting more. He never does too much when he’s around. He isn’t loud, or overly aggressive, he’s just man that’s willing to get the job done, no matter what it is.
All in all, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, in my humble opinion, is another win for Apple when it comes to quality content for streaming. I’m starting to feel like Apple TV might just be the best service out there right now.
