Delivery Man (2023)

Is this Show a duck or a goose?

I thought the Show started well. A dose of mystery, a touch of humour and a hint of romance. There is a burst of manic energy as the Show introduces the key players and setup the main plot. After the meet-cute, the show slows down to a steady pace. There are some funny moments early on as the ML learn to live with ghosts and how to profit from them. However, the humour is fleeting. While it sort of sticks to the initial premise of a taxi for ghosts, we soon find out that it is far from being joyrides. Most of the ghostly tales are quite weighty and depressing. These subplots appears to be random at first but over time, we are given clues to find the missing link that ties them all together.

I actually felt a bit lost by the half way point because I was expecting the Show to go down a certain path based on the marketing and the early episodes but it turns out to be quite a different beast. I won’t go as far as calling it bait-and-switch, but I was not excited about where the story is heading.

Fortunately, the Show finally starts to pull the threads together in the last 1/3 of the run. The final destination is revealed, and we gather momentum as we sped towards the climax. I have to admit that it is neat how the loose threads are related to each other and slots in with each other. The only problem is that by this stage, I’m feeling a little jaded as I can see the Show is clearly manipulating the narrative and subplots until all the pieces are perfectly aligned. The puzzle can’t be solved because the pieces are hidden on purpose from us. We are drip fed very little concrete information while it grows painfully obvious who the real culprits are. This includes creating contrived situations while bending rules to suit the task at hand. Some of these involve questionable police procedurals while others will leave you baffled by the inconsistency if not out right contrivance. The Show will try to explain the ruse afterwards but it does test your credulity.

Acting is acceptable on the whole. I won’t call any of them breakout roles. The FL has a more challenging role than the ML. He can appear a bit wooden at times. They have decent chemistry and there is a bit of skinship in ep.12.

Production value is par for the course. It doesn't have lavish sets but they are functional and fit for purpose. Not a lot of CGI is used even though you would expect more from a supernatural themed show. What is there is acceptable but fairly rudimentary by today's standards. Once again, adequate rather than exceptional.

In the end, all the loose ends are tied up. Emotions run high and a few tears are shed. Antagonists are dealt with. Protagonists have the happy endings we all wish for. The Show turns the fan service dial to the max in ep.12. It is probably the best episode of the series and it is the real highlight for me.

Regrettably, the bulk of the show is fairly pedestrian. Similar ghost/wish fulfilling plots have been done before and often better. There is certainly something old something borrowed here. What we need is more of something new.

In hindsight, it is watchable and kept my interest but it can be testing at times. I won’t mind rewatch a highlight reel but not the whole show. Peace out.

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