the first season kept it simple, so the stylisation fit. from the second season on the plot became convoluted to fit the style, it became style over substance. the drama is of a terrible quality, the "characters" are flat and ugly. the women are all portrayed degradingly.
imo it appeals on three levels, none of which i care for. The "plot puzzle" structure in order to make the audience feel smart from "figuring it out". This reduces, rather than increases, substantial characterisation. Secondly, sudden graphic violence punctuates it as a cheap thrill. Lastly, it's a naughty subject matter, another cheap thrill to empathise with what is more commonly assumed to be bad guys.
not in the slightest. i look back on those days fondly.
i think the story idea is really promising. they just executed it too poorly for me to enjoy. the producers are going about it the wrong way. when the main dude (forget his name) recently spoke of the final seasons, he said he intends to follow through on the original plan to make a good guy go bad and a bad guy go good. to be so stubborn about the direction of a story before it is written, you stifle the creative process. the end result is an artificial journey, boring.
