Daisy Jones and The Six takes a documentary approach to this music-driven series based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling novel.
My name is Danielle and I have a just-another-episode problem. I’m not sure exactly when I received the screeners for the series but as soon as I pressed play, I was unable to stop. Unlike the audience, I didn’t have to keep waiting for new episodes as all ten were available for review. Of course, I made myself go to bed and catch the tenth and final episode the next morning. Let me tell you that I did not have a dry eye by the end of the series. This is how well the execution is. When your finale brings tears to my eyes, that’s a good episode. The sad thing is that I do not know if we’ll be getting any more episodes following this season. I suppose that it may be possible but I’m really not sure. Maybe the door is cracked just a little bit open?
I’ll get into more about the series below the photo. If you’ve read the book, you’re probably at a better advantage than most. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to read the book but when I saw that Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber co-created the series for television, it immediately piqued my interest. There will be three episodes a piece on March 3 and 10. On March 17 and 24, Amazon will release two episodes a piece. It’s a series that is made for binge-watching but we’ll see how far the water cooler conversation goes. After watching the series, I do not think I could handle waiting a week for new episodes to arrive over a ten-week period.
The series takes place in both the 1970s (through 1977) and 20 years later in 1997. What we learn in the opening minutes is that they performed together for the last time at Chicago’s Soldier Field and never performed again. What happened? Well, I obviously will not get into the particulars. It’s quite a treat getting to come along for the ride with the ups and downs. It’s the rock and roll culture in the 1970s so you’ve already got an idea of what to expect. In any event, Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) is working as a waitress but has dreams of being a singer. Meanwhile, the Dunne Brothers, led by Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin), become The Six while waiting for their big break. One way or another, everyone gets heard by Teddy Price (Tom Wright) and gets an opportunity.
In a perfect world, Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne would be leading their own bands. But one thing leads to another and all of sudden, you have these two lead singers that now have to figure out how to co-exist in the same band together. At first, Daisy just performs with them for one or two songs together. Next thing you now, the entities are performing together as Daisy Jones and The Six. And yet, this merger is what takes them to an iconic level together! But like any band, talent and fame can only do so much. Will they let it go to their head? Even in watching the show, you know the moment is going to come but you’re not sure of the how and why. When it does happen, you feel for the band. But even then, one kind of sees the writing on the wall.
When it comes to series star Riley Keough, the apple does not far from the tree. In case you didn’t know, her grandfather is the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. While I’ve yet to read the novel, there’s a part of me that thinks that Daisy encounters Elvis at some point before his tragic death. It would be a meta moment given the casting but what a musical moment it would be. In any event, Riley Keough absolutely crushes the role. I mean, she absolutely disappears into the role of Daisy Jones. Of course, this is not just a one-person show. It’s a true ensemble piece with everyone playing their part in it. Plus, what’s not to love about Timothy Olyphant playing a tour manager?
I love a good music-driven series. What I love about this series is that the cast performs and records the music themselves. There’s 24 original songs here and I’m sure that Amazon Studios will be making a push during awards season. Two songs in particular were included in the trailers leading up to the release: “Look At Us Now (Honeycomb)” and “Regret Me.” Of the 24 songs, these are the stand-out songs in the series by far. The songwriters compose them as if they’re out of the 1970s and the cast does their job by taking them to the next level. Between the production design, costume design, and cinematography, you really like you’re watching clips from the 1970s. Scott Neustadter, who co-created the series with writing partner Michael H. Weber, has done a solid job of running the show with Will Graham.
Daisy Jones and The Six has stunning production values, a rocking 1970s-esque soundtrack, and truly feels like a product of the 1970s.
CREATORS: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
SHOWRUNNERS: Scott Neustadter and Will Graham
DIRECTORS: James Ponsoldt, Nzingha Stewart, Will Graham
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, Brad Mendelsohn, Scott Neustadter, Will Graham, James Ponsoldt
CAST: Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, Camila Morrone, Will Harrison, Suki Waterhouse, Josh Whitehouse, Sebastian Chacon, Nabiyah Be, Tom Wright, and Timothy Olyphant
Prime Video will premiere Daisy Jones and The Six on March 3, 2023 with new episodes released every Friday through March 24. Grade: 4/5
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