Jessica Fletcher, Lieutenant Columbo, Veronica Mars, Olivia Benson, Sherlock Holmes…these are some of television’s top sleuths whose traits blend to create Poker facethe charming lead role, Charlie Cale. Peacock’s new mystery drama strives to add Charlie to an enviable list of fictional small-screen sleuths. The biggest hurdle is how the show and its protagonist can stand out while being (inevitably) compared to those that came before it. Thankfully, Rian Johnson’s triumphant writing paired with Natasha Lyonne’s enigmatic performance makes for one hell of a TV show. And that’s evident right away with the first two stellar installments.

Poker face pays homage to hits like Colombo– as also evidenced by the font of the opening credits – but successfully stands out with a new and fun perspective on a “howcatchem”. That’s right. PF is not a thriller like Johnson’s recent Knives out movies. He still carries his ability to invent captivating narratives and esoteric characters related to Charlie’s escapades. Johnson and Lyonne create such a fascinating world for Charlie, it doesn’t matter that she doesn’t stay in one place too long or only solves one crime throughout the series. In fact, it’s the most entertaining aspect, if a bit circumstantial.

Each episode begins with the reveal of who the killer is and exactly how he committed the murder. And it’s fun to watch Charlie figure it out after the audience knows how to use his deductive skills and his knack for spotting liars. Lyonne’s portrayal is effortless. In less competent hands, Poker face might be too slow or structured. Lyonne inhabits Charlie with brazen vulnerability, whether it’s riffing opposite Adrien Brody and Benjamin Bratt, becoming pals with Hong Chau and Megan Suri, or bonding with an old friend, played by Dascha Polanco. (And it all happens in just a few outings.)

GRADE FOR SEASON 1, EPISODE 2: B+

Poker face does not initially dwell on Charlie’s larger personal background. We glean that she is prolific at telling when someone is lying; it’s an atmosphere that she captures perfectly. (Honestly, what a talent.) She used that in the past to win big at poker tournaments in cities like Denver and Cheyenne before reaching Las Vegas. She landed a job at the Frost Casino because, instead of letting her “abuse” her powers, the owner gives her a job as a hostess.

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It feels like an arc with layers that have to come undone at some point: why did Charlie accept the gig instead of continuing his shenanigans and making money? In the first episode, “Dead Man’s Hand”, she admits that she was rich (“It was easier than being broke, harder than doing good,” she adds wisely). So what made him stop? Was it just the idea of ​​settling down with a well-paying job? If so, it’s tragic that she has to give up everything now for a life on the road.

“Dead Man’s Hand” opens with Natalie (Polanco), a Frost Casino maid and good friend of Charlie’s, who spots something dangerous on a rich man’s computer as he cleans his room . She takes photographic evidence, but instead of running to the cops – who can blame her? – she confides in the new head of the casino, Sterling Frost Jr. (Brody), and his security assistant, Cliff (Bratt). Unfortunately, they’d rather kill Natalie and her drunken and abusive husband than deliver a wealthy whale that’s making a ton of money for the casino. And that’s exactly what they do after falsely putting her to sleep safely.

Charlie can’t help but investigate as she doesn’t believe how Natalie died. She focuses on tiny clues (a missing gun, a missed call) and breaks into her friend’s devices to properly figure out the real story. Charlie was supposed to team up with Sterling Jr. and Cliff to intrigue wealthy patrons in poker games using his “supernatural infallibility” to find out who’s lying. Instead, she turns on the duo and blackballs Frost Casino, which leads to Sterling Jr. jumping off the balcony (so long, Adrien Brody). Charlie barely escapes Cliff’s gunshot and flees because the big boss (aka Sterling Sr., whom we meet via a brief phone call) is after her now.

Poker face is clearly Charlie’s story, but each episode has enticing and serious subplots even if we don’t spend enough time with them. The case of the first deals with a child pornography ring that Frost Casino may or may not benefit from. Since Charlie is our target in all of this, and she’s embarked on a road trip away from Vegas, that’s all we’ll ever know (for now, at least). But it’s okay because, as established, Charlie’s journey is compellingly told.

Episode two, “Night Shift,” also has meaty ideas on the periphery. The victim, Damian (Brandon Michael Hall), is a war veteran struggling with expenses while working at a subway chain – so much so that he even buys a lottery every day. Her killer, Jed (Colton Haynes), has mental health issues, as evidenced by his obsession with neighborhood convenience store employee Sara (Suri). These key details add value to their characters without taking over Poker faceThe main objective of: Charlie is coincidentally drawn into their case.

His car breaks down near the garage where Jed works with his uncle. She goes in to get it fixed, but is told to wait all night because he’d rather watch. best boss live above helping a customer. (He has his priorities straight). Unfortunately, it’s the same night that Jed decides to kill Damian, not knowing that a rising detective is nearby. The crime itself isn’t shocking: Damian eventually wins $25,000 and reveals it to Jed while confronting him about his creepy attitude towards Sara. Jed then pushes him off the roof and steals the lottery ticket.

Meanwhile, Charlie finds respite in this small town with Marge (a gorgeous Hong Chau), a stranger who helps him tape his wound and gives him advice on staying hidden (no social media, ATMs or credit cards – I feel like I could’ve said all that too). Marge and Charlie immediately bond, but it’s short-lived as Marge is blamed for Damian’s death. First, a friend is killed. Now another friend is arrested? You bet Charlie will get involved, even if it means getting caught by Cliff.

Channeling his inner Olivia Benson and Veronica Mars (and with plenty of original Lyonne-inspired sass), Charlie interviews the townspeople to map out the daily routines of Damian, Jed, and Sara. She inspects Jed’s meeting place – the garage roof – earns Sara’s trust and learns the trucking calls in time to solve how and why Jed bludgeoned Damian and dumped his body in Marge’s truck. She doesn’t stick around to see the cops reach the garage lest Cliff find her. But she did her duty as an amateur detective to solve the crime and save Marge.

Poker face feel free to remind us that, yes, Charlie is new to the detective game. In the first episode, she takes a while to connect the dots that Natalie’s phone password is the same as her locker code, and she openly interrogates the killers knowing they are capable of murder. She didn’t expect to use her powers for this job, but here we are anyway. Poker face starts off with a luxurious beat as Charlie adjusts to his surroundings, but it’s a great start; our patience is well rewarded in these hour-long episodes.

“Night Shift” ends with Charlie on the road again, barely escaping Cliff after he tracks her down for withdrawing bills from an ATM. Who knows where her adventure will take her next?

Spurious observations

• Be careful with Poker face recap of episodes three/four tomorrow. The show will continue with a weekly episode for the remaining six installments.
• I love that Dascha Polanco continues to appear in Natasha Lyonne’s projects after starring together in Orange is the new black. First, Russian doll the first season, and now the Poker face opener.
• Natalie’s remark about Charlie watching the news when there’s never been anything good hits hard: “Every day you’re mad at something you can’t do anything about.”
• In case you were wondering, Charlie’s Twitter account is @C00rsGalnnLung3Dartz. I have to assume it’s because she likes her cans of Coors.
• Admittedly, I cracked at Cliff’s Burn notice reference when he calls Charlie “Michael Westin”.
• I am delighted that Benjamin Bratt is the other common thread of all Poker face episodes.
• Who do we think is playing Sterling Frost Sr., based on the voice behind the phone call?
• shout at (Oscar nominee!!) Chau’s wonderful delivery of “I’m getting no-gonna-hook-up vibes” in Lyonne.
• Another exchange that I really enjoyed, in part because of Lyonne’s expert enunciation:
  Marge: “The pain is in your mind.”
  Charlie: “Ma’am, you have no idea.”
• Technically, there is not much to expect Poker face except when Cliff catches up with Charlie (and what happens after that?), but I’m excited to start this Poker face travel here.