• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Mr. Mercedes Season 1 Episode 1 Review

August 11, 2017 by Amie Cranswick

Martin Carr reviews the first episode of Mr. Mercedes…

Given the luxury of an hour to bed in David E Kelley’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes takes its time. Introducing us to this world with a gruesome front and centre crime of indiscriminate motive and R rated lashings of claret. Never constrained by network censors this piece of thrilling detective ephemera goes in hard before flashing forward two years, where our protagonist is passed his best.

Slovenly, sloth like and reclined in his lazy boy Gleeson appears immediately comfortable. Portly, indifferent and sporting mammoth chin whiskers his retired detective connects with few people, shares confidants with less and considers companionship a burden. His day consists of sitting amongst a sea of unwashed dishes, empty beer cans and conspicuously avoiding things like personal hygiene. Within twenty minutes Bill Hodges is fully formed with hang ups, characteristic contradictions and believable backstory which Gleeson only solidifies.

Other bit part players bring a sense of reality, comedy and deep-rooted darkly questionable horror to the party. Scott Lawrence as Hodges old partner Pete Dixon bounces back and forth with Gleeson in their early scenes, while Holland Taylor brings an edge to the widow Ida Silver, who is both his conscience, occasional dinner companion and potential physical liaison. Her presence in those precious moments they share lighten the mood of what could have easily been a by the numbers screen adaptation.

Easter eggs include nods to It, musical cues name checking Pet Sematary and visual references to Christine. Kelley has made sure that his audience is drip fed enough to keep us one step ahead of Hodges but somehow no wiser to an eventual outcome. Obviously those that have read the book are already clued in, but ultimately what has been crafted here is an old-fashioned thriller with solid character building. To a certain degree it could be said that there are nods to the Nic Cage thriller 8mm and also Michael Mann’s Manhunter, if not in look then approach.

For something which belongs squarely on the post nine pm side of television scheduling, Mr. Mercedes proves darker than most without resorting to shock tactics. Silhouetted in a single bulb side view and employing flashes of subliminal imagery, there are moments when lines are crossed, while the show itself has a warning slapped on the front. Normally this approach means little and proves more of a gimmick, but on this occasion I would be inclined to consider it necessary. Often the main issue with adaptations of King’s work revolve around watering down his content for public consumption, but Mercedes has chosen to give us something darkly intriguing, steeped in mystery and brandishing murderous intent.

Martin Carr – Follow me on Twitter

Filed Under: Martin Carr, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Mr. Mercedes, Stephen King

About Amie Cranswick

Amie Cranswick has been part of Flickering Myth’s editorial and management team for over a decade. She has a background in publishing and copyediting and has served as Editor-in-Chief of FlickeringMyth.com since 2023.

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Essential Action Movies of the 1980s

10 Movie Franchises That Need To End

Horror Sequel Highs & Lows

The Bonkers Comedies of Andrew McCarthy

Great Director’s Cuts That Are Better Than The Original Theatrical Versions

20 Essential Criterion Collection Films

10 Badass Action Movies You Might Have Missed

1995: The Year Horror Sequels Hit Rock Bottom?

Classic Retro Video Games Based on 80s UK TV Game Shows

10 Great Movies About Twins

Top Stories:

Crazy Cult 80s Movies You May Have Missed

Movie Review – Superman (2025)

4K Ultra HD Review – Quatermass 2 (1957)

Movie Review – Sovereign (2025)

“Dexter In Space” – Michael C. Hall talks 20 years of Dexter and where the killer will go next

Movie Review – Abraham’s Boys (2025)

Matilda Lutz is Red Sonja in trailer for long-delayed fantasy reboot

Great Tarantino-esque Movies You Need To See

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

The Prisoner: The Classic British TV Series Revisited

Friday the 13th at 45: The Story Behind the Classic Slasher

Is Denis Villeneuve the Best Choice to Direct Bond?

Ten Great Love Letters to Cinema

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket