Series Review: "Mindhunter" (2017-19).

"Is there a method in the madness?" This is the question at the heart of Mindhunter. This psychological crime thriller television series created by Joe Penhall and based on the true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker. In the late 1970s two FBI agents expand criminal science by delving into the psychology of murder and getting uneasily close to all-too-real monsters.

In 2009, development on the series began when Charlize Theron gave Douglas and Olshaker's non-fiction crime book to Fincher. In January 2010 the project was set up at Fox 21, which had optioned the book, along with premium cable channel HBO. Scott Buck was tapped to write the pilot. Fincher, who was mostly known as a director and producer in films, felt at that time that television was "completely foreign" until he worked on the political drama House of Cards (2013-18). When Fincher finally felt comfortable with television as a medium after doing the series, Theron suggested Penhall as the project's writer, replacing Buck. In December 2015, Mindhunter was moved to streaming service Netflix, with Fox 21 dropping out of the project. In February 2016 Netflix announced that the production would be based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By May, Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Cotter Smith, Cameron Britton, Joseph Cross and Lena Olin were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and was shot using a customized, one-of-a-kind version of the RED Epic Dragon built specifically for Fincher, called the RED Xenomorph. The series was renewed for a second season before its premiere on Netflix on October 13, 2017. The second season was originally reported to consist of eight episodes; however, the season ultimately contained nine episodes. By April 2018, Michael Cerveris, Sierra McClain and Damon Herriman were cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in December. Makeup artist Kazu Hiro and his prosthetics makeup team spent six hours working on actors Oliver Cooper and Damon Herriman for their respective roles as David Berkowitz and Charles Manson, so that when they walked onto the set they were the very embodiment of their real-life characters. In November 2019, it was reported that a potential third season had been put on indefinite hold until Fincher finished working on his next film, Mank (2020).

The series stars Groff, McCallany, Torv, Smith, Cerveris, McClain, Britton, Cross, Olin and Herriman. The series is a class act thanks to the lovely performances, especially from Groff, McCallany and Torv. Ford is loosely based on FBI agent Douglas, whose groundbreaking criminal profiling methods inspired author Thomas Harris's book The Silence of the Lambs, as well as The Silence of the Lambs (1991), where he worked as an advisor during the filming. Tench is based on pioneering FBI agent Robert K. Ressler. Carr is a fictional character based on psychiatric forensic nurse researcher Ann Wolbert Burgess, a prominent Boston College nursing professor who collaborated with the FBI agents in the Behavioral Science Unit and procured grants to conduct research on serial murderers, serial rapists, and child molesters. Her work is based on treating survivors of sexual trauma and abuse, and studying the thought process of violent offenders. The serial killer characters were modeled on the actual convicted criminals and their prison scene dialogues were taken from real interviews.

It's a compelling show about the unknown history of the FBI, based on a terrific book, and boasting top-flight talent. And although it's not as consistently sharp as one might hope, there's a lot of intriguing elements spread about, which hopefully will blossom throughout the season. A middle section of the first episode gradually took hold, but only the final part of the episode really made me want to keep watching, thanks chiefly to Groff and McCallany's dynamic, followed by growing tension in the plotting. The production is gorgeous, the performances pristine. Nothing feels out of place, but nothing feels particularly vibrant, either. Long story short, you owe it to yourself to watch the series, simply because the horrors that are about to follow promise to be interesting enough to sign up for a Netflix Instant account. Having watched the series I am more convinced than ever that Netflix is pushing something really addictive - and also that shows don't need to be nearly as nice looking, or thoughtful as the series to do the trick. Watch at whatever pace you'd like -- immediately. Given its quality, I think you'll be drinking it all in sooner rather than later. The production is as sleek and well executed as any you would expect from this caliber of talent, and a match for most high-end cable programs. Fincher's stamp is all over this production, the way his camera conveys a sense of firm gravity even as it glides smoothly across a scene, an all-seeing, all-knowing instrument of knowledge and drama. Season two delivers a harsher view of the American criminal justice system than the initial season, offers several important insights to the viewing public. As the series veers off into new directions, it's not afraid to ask the question. As you binge watch through the series, the answer starts to fall into place. I really enjoyed the season, but there's a hollowness to the show that comes of its borrowing a form but refusing some of that form's basic terms, thinking that makes it fancier. Still, the second season maintains the tension of the first season, and the "Bad Boys at Work" sign is still up. Let the binging begin. Season two does a better job of embracing the absurdity of its dark universe, where only characters with no moral compass can ever come out on top. It is our collective paranoid concept of Washington politics, in all of its depraved glory. The series doubles down in its second season, providing a visual and dramatic gleefulness in sinister tones. It once again earns its addictiveness. Dense and smart, the series is still skating magnificently by on reputation - and for Netflix's purposes, that's excellent.

Simon says Mindhunter receives: