Trying to watch the first two episodes after I finished watching _Squid Game_ - huge mistake, big mistake! What Hollywood has to offer nowadays pale in comparison to the originality and creativity in storytelling in the South Korean drama.

Doesn't anyone have an original idea in Hollywood any more? _Mayor of Kingstown_ is as paint-by-numbers as it gets:

* Formulaic opening credits sequence;

* 'Antiheroes' - at fist, the main characters seem as if Hollywood would actually create content with antiheros but quickly we learn, they are in for the right reasons - just trying to help; :rolling_eyes:

* A big-name twist in the first episode, you know, for shock value. But the only shocking thing in the show is its lack of purpose;

* Are Americans capable of making movies/shows where the villains aren't Russian? The answer is no! It got so repetitive and predictable. Can Americans ever be political without resorting to xenophobia? Who is the next boogeyman after the Russians lose their usefulness? How the Russian-Americans can stomach such dirt is beyond my understanding. And while Russians are evil, African-Americans are the good guys - the most likable character is the drug-dealing leader of the Crips. Oh, how American. :rolling_eyes:

Normally, I like to give a show about three episodes before quitting but _Mayor of Kingstown_ doesn’t seem to bring absolutely anything new to the table.