'The Mandalorian' News, Plus the Ups and Downs of TV Auteurism | The Watch (Ep. 311)

Artistic Triumphs

The discussion on auteur-driven TV shows highlights both their artistic triumphs and pitfalls. Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan critique the series "The Romanoffs," describing it as an exercise in unchecked creative freedom that results in a bizarre yet intriguing narrative. Andy compares the creative journey to climbing Mount Everest, where the lack of guidance at the peak leads to unpredictable outcomes 1.

This is the end result of what happens when you empower auteurist creators past the point of checks and balances.

--- Andy Greenwald

Despite its flaws, they acknowledge the show's ambition and the beauty of its execution, likening it to late-period Woody Allen films 2.

   

Contrasting Outcomes

The hosts explore the contrasting outcomes of auteur-driven projects, using "The Romanoffs" and "The Little Drummer Girl" as examples. Chris Ryan notes that while "The Romanoffs" suffers from a lack of narrative cohesion, "The Little Drummer Girl" succeeds in maintaining a controlled and thrilling storyline 3. Andy Greenwald praises the latter for its masterful execution, highlighting its consistent vision and the compelling performances that bring the story to life 4.

This was a completely controlled exercise from beginning to end in a way that felt so exciting to be a part of.

--- Andy Greenwald

The psychological depth and tension in "The Little Drummer Girl" are attributed to its strong narrative structure and character development, setting it apart from other series 5.