Surprised you didn't see the connection between Viggo and One Eye from Valhalla Rising. Essentially both are takes on Odin, who after losing his eye, gained wisdom

This show is the best show I'll never recommend to anyone. I think of it as being a different animal from other series.

I just finished the show. I had no idea it had even been made. There's a lot to digest, but here's my take on it: I wanted to love it, but I just couldn't because some scenes were just too drawn out and because of the repetitive slow panning shots. (One shot was 45 seconds long, showing nothing but horses in a dusty corral) I also wanted to hate it, but I couldn't do that either. Some of the cinematography was absolutely beautiful, especially the shot of Miguel in front of the flowered wall. Jesus's transformation from the quiet "American" to a dominant leader over his right hand man was also very well written. I was disappointed they didn't flesh out Miguel's character and that there wasn't any closure between Diana and Yaritza. One thing I liked, but also didn't like, was the constant use of red and blue light. During the soccer match, the police captain pointed out the player's uniforms were red and blue and said red represented the cartel and blue represented the police. Whenever you saw characters afterward, they were lit with either red or blue lights, depending on what their actions/motivations were. For example, when Martin drove to New Mexico to deal with the porn directors, he drove a red car; signifying his motives were "evil." Later, when he went to Damian's safe house, the lights are red but he's lit in blue as he enters the doorway because he was in "cop mode." Same goes for Viggo and Jesus. When there was a mixture of motives, the lights were purple, which is the blending of red and blue on the color wheel. Diana was lit in earthy colors, like yellow, and then green during that beautiful apple pie scene in the restaurant. In episode 9, though, she's wearing white, which I interpreted as the pale rider on the white horse from the Book of Revelations. Yaritza and Jesus have a great scene where they both sit down at the ranch and cross their legs at the same time. It's subtle, but it looks like Yaritza's top is a shade of dark blue, and her pants are red. Jesus, on the other hand, is wearing a red shirt and dark pants that also have a blue shade to them. In essence, they represented a sort of ying and yang balance, where part of what they do is evil but part of their motivation is good (Yaritza protecting the prostitutes, Jesus avenging his mother). When Martin leaves his agency, he wears a bright blue hoodie because he's essentially becoming like Viggo and only going after evil people. There's so much more to cover, but that would take too long to write out. Te depth of the show is what I really liked abou it, but I know it's not for everyone. Definitely worth recommending to people who will give it the attention it deserves in spite of its flaws.

This series has grown on me. I liked it when I saw it. Now I love it. Best looking series to date. When I saw it I knew there would not be season 2. It's too slow paced, violent and obscure to be successful. But I wished I was wrong. I also hoped for blu-ray release, but no. For me NWR isn't the best director at the moment, but probably the most interesting. I've only loved Drive, but Neon Demon, Only God Forgives and Too Old To Die Young are beautifully shot unique pieces of art. I also love his dark & dry humour.

This was a great show but its too slow for 90% of people, the death of Janey might be one of the most effective scenes i have ever seen, it felt real, great video, thank you!👍

I thought the snorting was from cocaine or drugs, thats a good point you made about it and Martin's spitting. William Baldwin was so good, as well as the entire cast. This was my favorite series I've seen this year, stands out among the usual safe vanilla stuff Great analysis, I also read somewhere (but forgot where it was from) someone pointing out that Yaritza and Diana were interpretations of witches influencing these events on opposite sides, forgot the rest of it but it was an interesting theory

Fantastic essay. I especially loved the linking of Refns work to that off Huysmans and his peers french decadence, which now pointed out is extremely obvious and made me realise almost a missing link to my connection and love for all these works.

It was totally a “greatest hits “ / a fusion of all Refn’s previous world . Episode 7 was my favorite

Man this show was so so nuts. Was like No Country for Old Men if I would compare to anything. When the main cop died, I was kind of taken out of the show. Not because he died but because it’s like the show felt like it needed to end already.

Brilliant work bro. Really needed this to help sort all my thoughts. Like you said there are multiple deep and complex ideas that demand more viewings and hours of dissection and analysis, but this is a great foundation for me to build off of. Much thanks.

Thanks for breaking it down. This should be the next "Mami Vice". Big props to everyone evolved. A story, that some TV shows have tried to tell, but not as beautiful as this. It took me some time to get hooked. Episode over and over again. The story is really complicated and so amazing. Again, thanks for being the only one on KZfaq for breaking it down.

I reallllly needed an analysis after watching it. It's sooooo long and a lot of it is very subtle and gets lost in the striking imagery and dark subject. Thanks for this

Man, subscribed and bell hit for this one. I decided to randomly rewatch the show and wanted to hear someone else's thoughts and you shared probably the most insightful view into this weird world of this show. Thank you so much for this!

Im just really bummed that it won't be getting a 2nd Season 😢... such an underrated show

Amazing analysis. Youre phenomenal at reading in between the lines. i picked up on a lot of little allegorical details and character insights that wouldve gone over my head. Thanks for further reinforcing my love for this series.

It's occultism. It's the all-seeing eye. I actually prefer this series over all of his movies. It's pretty deep.

That opening scene/shot is at Cactus Taco off of Moorpark and Tujunga in Studio City. It’s my go to place for tacos and burritos. Was funny seeing it in this.

This is the best review of anything ever, the method, the format, the sections you've sieved to focus, thoroughly enjoyed! Personally it felt like neo-noiry echoes of Taxi Driver.

One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. It was a bit slow at times but I don’t mind a slow pace if it pays off. This show definitely paid off.

Really enjoyed this analysis and your points about decadence, I think NWR also mentioned that the show evolved into a post-apocalyptic genre-based story. I really like the way you broke that up. Anyway, a great job really enjoyed this.

Great video, solid analysis. Looking forward to more!

That is a really good review, thank you! It;s been a long time since I have seen it but I wish you spoke about that last scene where Diane and Viggo were eating their pie and Diane says "Someone is joining" but she doesn't know her name yet and I believe she was referring to Yaritza but we never got to confirm that ...

Idk man. once you give yourself to the pacing, it’s easily the best television shows I’ve ever seen.

Wow this was really an amazing video and a deeper analysis on the show I've seen thus far. Shows design and themes are so underrated .

This made me see the series in a new light. At first I thought that Refn was presenting himself as the filmmaker that people THINK Tarantino is, but this series proved to be one of the most interesting things I've seen in a while.

It forces us to contemplate what we would think in each scenario.

The show was absolutely amazing. I’ve watched it twice. I will admit that it was in dire need of editing. I really don’t mind a slow burn whatsoever so it’s not that I’m mindlessly in need of a faster show. But there are parts of the show that just became a slog because of the pacing and extra nonsense. Overall though, I think it’s almost a masterpiece. The casting was perfect. I mean really perfect.

Just watched this series from my favorite director even if I'm late to the party by a few years. Thanks for the excellent review!

Great analysis! Just finished last night. Floored. Still thinking about the ‘beings’.

Awesome analysis man. I couldn't identify why Martin spits and the father always snorts but now I do. Episode five and six were my favorite. And I think episode 6 is one of the best TV episodes of all time.

thanks for your very interesting video!i loved this serie , so original, the tension is 13 hours present. i also think that the few times Martin was "good" he was punished, when he decides to save the girl in the desert and she stabs him or when he helps Damien and he reveals to Jesus Martin's identity as his mother's killer .... as if life force him to be bad in order to survive

"fairly slow" that's the understatement of the year.

I am certain Refn went to Gosling for Martin, and he said no for obvious reasons. Which makes me respect Teller even more, never mind that it turned out he makes a more convincing schizoid.

Martin was puzzling. In Drive, I always found character motivations easy to determine. With Martin, it's perpetually complicated to me. Is he a violent psychopath who simultaneously struggles with not wantimg to be like the people he finds so disgusting?

I think it can be refreshing to be engaged with a series despite not knowing exactly why it holds your attention.

hey budd ! great job here i really enjoyed ur take on all this

Liking this show is weird. I shouldn't like it but it really stuck with me. I had to really exercise patience. Hard to explain.

This is an excellent review! Great to see an intelligent take on this neglected series. One thing I’d add is that violence against/control of women is a consistent theme throughout. Femicide in Mexico is a huge issue (links to novel 2666) and the other nature theme is thus the female resistance to male violence.

Outstanding analysis.. thank you very much

Incredible....the best review I think I could hope to imagine. Thank you.

I'm confused about why nobody is talking about the conspiracy theories NWR throws in the show by radio and television news.

Nailed it. Great review. Loved the movie/series’ combination of the existential combined with nihilism. Captured a deep and interesting atmosphere of the nature of.humans at the crossroads of evolution.

I loved it but it is one of the most bizarre series ever and the most violent. It kind of had a narrative up until episode 8 then it went into kind of David Lynch on steroids ! More!

You’re amazing. Thanks, for this.

Photography-wise, this series is quite a bit beyond many of its contemporaries.

Thanks for that. Cleared up a lot of confusion!

Seriously, I'm a little late in the game since I didn't even know NWR did a tv series on Amazon. And I am usually pretty aware of the cultural scene of what's coming in. The fact that there are only a couple of reviews, indicates that someone didn't know how to market this or didn't want to. I wasn't sure I wanted to see it because NWR tends to relish in violence not to make us feel appalled by it, and it's frustrating. But, still love the work and after this video, I will watch this show. So thanks!

Its a magical fairytale!!! Masterpiece 🌿🌿🌿

solid analysis. this show's not for everyone but for some people, it hits just the right notes in your soul.

Fantastic analysis m8

Great video. Thanks for all the interesting thoughts. Keep it coming!

great job dude !

First watch over the past week. This is an apt and enlightening analysis of an interesting show. A follow-up would be warranted simply from a socio-political aspect. All of the strictly humorous scenes have bearing on the currency of the show, as I understood it.

I think we can all agree, the segments featuring the homicide squad were the most straightforward (slowly shaking my head)

great analysis, was devastated they aren't planning on doing a second season, it ended too abruptly for me and there were a lot of open strands left

I didn't knew it was the same director for neon demon, that explain the 'choice' of some scenes.

i found after the 2nd episode it picks up a lot more. however after the first viewing you tend to ignore the pacing and find it pretty fast there on.

11:12 -- Martin's spitting reminded me a lot of heroes in Westerns spitting tobacco. The typical hero in a Western is very much like Martin: stoic, laconic, capable of violence. To me, _Too Old to Die Young_ was, at least in part, a modernized Western. I'm surprised you didn't draw that connection.

this show rocked! you gotta get over the fact that its slow and just let it play out. Cant wait for season 2 hopefully

I think it all comes down to 2 women representing justice but at different cost destined to shape the world with catastrophic consequence

Beautifully shot like most of his films.

This show blew me away. I thought it was fantastic.

I loved every minute of it uP to eP 9 then nearly threw my TV out the window after the finale. However I’m more at Peace with it now and even aPPreciate it. My frustration on a Purely story level came from never seeing the grand finale or showdown that I felt had been foreshadowed: Viggo dying and Diana needing a new hitman; Yaritza Killing Jesus or being found out by him; Diana finally meeting Yaritza and fulfilling Viggo’s role. But a) that wouldn’t have been very Refn and b) the fact that I was anticiPating all those things now maKes me Ponder whether they even had to be shown. Viggo is clearly about to succumb to cancer - his mother dying first could be seen as a blessing for him. End of arc. Diana is obviously troubled in the last eP - PerhaPs by Viggo’s imminent or off-screen demise. She is waiting for Yaritza and Knows she is coming. Maybe Yaritza Killed Jesus, maybe not. Maybe she was Playing him from the jumP and always Planned to eliminate him, maybe she liKed/loved him but saw he couldn’t be redeemed after his “raPe their sisters/theme ParK of Pain” sPeech, maybe she’s a weird non-human who Kills for reasons beyond our understanding and sees no contradiction in saving sex-slaves and raPe victims from the PimPs and raPists emPloyed by her husband and essentially by herself ... or maybe being in the Position of Cartel Wife allowed her to save more women than revealing herself would have. At any rate she has clearly crossed a threshold when she goes in to the brothel in broad daylight, asKs the girl to sing the song then guns down her husbands soldiers because they are, in her own words, “Part of that evil.” The Cartel will almost certainly find out who she is and what she is doing now and she seems cool with that. PerhaPs Jesus is already dead (I can’t remember if she was driving his Porsche?), PerhaPs he has men hunting for her who she will have to evade the rest of her days ... or PERHAPS all Jesus’ Perceived Power was coming directly from her and from their union. Perhaps she doesn’t even have to give him a second thought - and neither do we - because with her gone he will now be even more inePt and Powerless than after Magdalena died. Or not. Maybe she just KeePs domming Jesus with that whiP handle and feeding him his own jizz so he can walK out of the house in his Versace undies and order “more raPe, more murder, more Taco vendor brutality” liKe the big man he thinKs he is, ordering his soldiers in to more and more situations that will simPly end with the High Priestess Of Death PoPPing their sKulls liKe water-bombs, and never growing the wiser. Or maybe he’ll find out it’s her and feed Poor Yaritza to her family ... which I guess is him? (I laugh now when I thinK of her half-smiling as Jesus said that line.) I truly don’t Know, I can’t read Tarot. But now that I’ve written all this I liKe the ending more.

I took the dad's snorting and growling as hatred for martin.

Don’t think I’ve ever been so uncomfortable watching a show and I love it for that reason 😂

I enjoyed this show . . . but I don't know why. Diane's last words about an approaching apocalypse is ringing very true right now though

Thanks for this video.

I liked the cinematography, the plot, the characters, the Lynchian atmosphere. The pacing was a little off and some scenes did not require so many "pauses" between dialogue even if the intention was to create this otherwordly vibe.

Keep it up bro

Very good series and analysis.....reminds me of Dennis Hopper work.

I don't think Jones is robotic. I think these character just think before they speak. They don't fill silence with conversation.

Great video, helps to unravel the themes of the show. On the point of violence, sexuality, and the characters' control of both, one of martin's comments after killing theo, the murder he is genuinely disturbed by, is that he "thought he could control it". I think this strongly supports your analysis of the skewed "moral scale" of the show, as martin seems to have truly transgressed in the case of theo's murder and dies not too long after.

Speaking of morality Don Ricardo in ep2 is also interesting because he is like the old guard of the past, and some moral standings even for peace and aesthetics and cleanliness and role of men, which die with him.

Personally it’s my favorite show I’ve watched all of his work except bleeder anyone know where I can get it

My advice if anyone hasn't seen this is... start with episode 4 and finish with 8 but forget 1,2,3,9 and 10. Forget story or plot just appreciate the visuals and music.

nice review. plans for copenaghen cowboy review?

Viggo is also riding on a white horse and one eye is gone. Both things written about the coming antichrist in the bible. Hes described as the first horseman on a white horse and later gets attacked in the face and loses sight in one eye.

Anyone know how to get a copy of this DVD here in the US? Amazon doesn't have any copies. Having seen some Cartel Torture on the internet, Martin's whipping and beheading certainly follows along the cartels way of handling things but to mutilate such a beautiful body., when they could go in other directions?

It's like a david lynch imitation. It's stylish, but the violence doesn't seem to serve a purpose.

i really liked this review.

Great analysis, you reckon their be a second series?

Dude bravo!

Love the surreal, subconscious symbolism, and through the first 8 volume's I was thinking "this is fucking genius" but the unbelievably underwhelming ending undid all the brilliant work leading up to... basically nothing. If that was an intentionally subversive attempt at some sort of meta-statement then I'm on Friedkin's side...

very good vid

At times I thought this series was at least partially created or possibly written by ai because it gets so obscure. I also found myself laughing hysterically at possibly inappropriate times.

What was Taylor Hill’s part about?

Nice

Fuck we not get a winding refn project till 2022 2023 .😔

Is Jesus's head rubbing just a manifestation of the feeling of his mother's hand comforting him?

27:25 What is the name of this show he compares it too? I couldn't quite catch it.

i god i hate that font, great video tho :)

Thanks for making the series seem a little more cohesive. I really liked the atmosphere and cinematography, plot was promising, and I didn't mind the signature Refn pacing, but the last two episodes ruined it for me. It suddenly became very Lynch-esque, indeed, more surreal and less realistic, characters started to act like it's Only God Forgives. The ideas that were articulated openly were just too stupid (Jesus), inappropriate (Diana) or shallow (Yaritza), so I hoped that none of them is what NWR meant (if anything).

The best show

It was too pretentious for me. There's so much I would have left on the cutting room floor. Some of the ideas were over explained. The dialogue at times came across as too artificial - the "alright fellas, rape him" bit that opens the brothers episode. The visuals are stunning but grate due to how long they linger. Maybe I prefer a more natural plot in this sort of setting because the last few episodes ventured pretty far into the realms of ridiculousness (the "there's a city's worth of pedos and rapists in a caravan palace only a few blocks away" bit was particularly annoying). Diana seems to just forget her own morality in the last episode. The blood and guts were romanticised in parts (the first brother's death along with his lady mate in particular). The brooding antisocial stoic nature of Martin was pretty brutal, waiting seconds that feel like hours to hear an "I don't know" got frustrating. I feel like Jesus' character arc was probably the best of the show but it was only half resolved. I didn't really care for the High Priestess of Death, it was just another one of those "revenge bitch" roles from a grindhouse movie. I don't think there were enough original ideas to really give it much in the way of artistic credit. It was way too long, spoon-fed way too much of the narrative, and couldn't figure out it's own characters. The introduction to Theo I think was the best episode (3 I think). Some of the shock-factors were masterfully done (the demise of Damien was particularly gripping). I'm only kind of glad I watched it but I don't think I'd recommend this to anyone I actually like. Maybe to one of those hipsters that thinks everything made with effort is art.

Anyone know when this comes out on Blu-ray?

Unreal show

i fucking loved every minute of this one although i admit it took me 3 or 4 times to get past the firat 30 min witjout falling aslleep.....i was really ...... but once i got past that i watched every minute and was bunmed out when it ended

The show literally forced me to slow my thoughts down.

Will you do Copenhagen Cowboy?

you didn't mention Bronson! Not mad, just reallllly wanna make sure you've seen that if you haven't.