synopsis
The Neumans create a unicorn startup valued at $47 billion—a co-working space with a cult following rallying behind their ideology: elevating the world's consciousness.
why i liked it
This show pays homage to others in the tech startup genre, reminiscent of The Social Network, BlackBerry, and Jobs. As someone who currently works in tech and has previous experience at a startup, these types of shows really resonate with me. Similar to Silicon Valley, this show has moments that make me chuckle and think, "I totally get that!" For instance, the scene where employees work for beer and the promise of a future IPO is particularly relatable.
the characters
It's thrilling to watch the Neuman’s characters develop self-fulfilling prophecies that they manage to get others to buy into. There are moments so well depicted that you sit in awe, watching as Adam convinces someone to do a complete mental 180. You find yourself thinking, "How on earth did he do that?" and “How on earth did they fall for that?”
Rebekah's influence on Adam's way of thinking is truly fascinating. She builds the importance of manifestation into his mental model, making it an integral part of his logical reasoning and decision making. As someone who doesn't believe in or practice manifestation, I find it incredibly intriguing to watch how Rebekah convinces Adam of its effectiveness. The overall adoption of this belief system into the company he builds is equally captivating.
Other characters like Bruce and Miguel are also intriguing, but their appeal stems mainly from their interactions with Adam. What's fascinating is Adam's ability to manipulate them to his advantage. He employs two primary tactics: sheer persistence—wearing people down until they give in—and his remarkable talent for stirring emotions and delivering persuasive pitches.
Cameron Lautner is the last character I'll mention. While his interest also stems from his relationship with Adam, he's unique in seeing through Adam's façade. From the start of the investment, Cameron persistently warns Bruce about Adam's antics. Watching Cameron's vindication at the end was quite satisfying.
cinematography et al
I felt thoroughly engrossed throughout the entire season and rarely found myself distracted by my phone or noticing anything that broke the show's immersion. There was one exception: a scene where Adam gives a speech at a music festival. He hands the microphone to his wife, and the pop filter is askew, but in the next cut, it's suddenly fixed. Apart from this minor inconsistency, I thought everything was executed brilliantly—from shot choices to music to color grading.
final remarks
I've given this a three and a half out of five as I thoroughly enjoyed binging the series, which took me no more than a week and a bit of semi-consistent watching. Even with roughly hour long episodes, I found myself watching two in a row on multiple occasions.
Give this a watch! If you're into tech or find startups fascinating, it's an easy recommendation. Even if you're not a tech person, the storyline behind Adam's unique character, his antics, and his sales skills may pique your interest.