Season 1 of “Mr. Mercedes” immediately grabs your attention, introducing a cast of compelling characters, both good and bad, that draw you into their world. Like the original reviewer, Mrs. Shullivan and I found ourselves completely hooked, binge-watching all three seasons in quick succession. This series masterfully blends mystery, thriller, and even a touch of sci-fi, anchored by a stellar performance from Brendan Gleeson as Bill Hodges, a retired homicide detective. Hodges, post-amicable divorce and feeling adrift, is brilliantly portrayed as a man wrestling with his own sense of purpose. His bond with his twenty-year-old tortoise, Fred (insist on “tortoise,” not turtle!), adds a unique, endearing layer to his character.
Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson) is not just dealing with personal loss; he’s haunted by the feeling of professional stagnation after retirement. Estranged from his daughter due to her struggles, his life seems to lack direction until the chilling case of Mr. Mercedes emerges. This unidentified serial killer committed a horrific act: mowing down innocent people waiting in line at a job fair with a stolen Mercedes Benz, leaving a trail of death, injury, and widespread trauma. The abandoned Mercedes becomes the chilling symbol of this brutal and seemingly random act, and the moniker for the perpetrator – Mr. Mercedes.
As the series progresses into season two, the identity of Mr. Mercedes is revealed, shifting the narrative into new and unexpected territories. Season three takes a slightly different turn, exploring the aftermath of Mr. Mercedes‘s actions on the surviving victims from the job fair, and weaving in new, yet connected storylines. While season three might be perceived as more intense, it’s not gratuitously violent. Instead, it explores the darker aspects of human nature, sometimes even with a darkly comedic edge, which, as the original review noted, “Mr. Mercedes pulls off perfectly.”
The strength of “Mr. Mercedes” lies not only in its gripping plot but also in its rich supporting characters and its foundation in a Stephen King narrative. King himself makes a playful cameo, appearing as one of the imagined victims in a restaurant scene, a nod to his signature style of blending the macabre with the mundane. We, too, thoroughly enjoyed all three seasons, although we understood the sentiment of needing a lighter palate cleanser afterwards, as mentioned in the original review’s switch to a Disney classic to “come back to reality.”
For its captivating storyline, Brendan Gleeson’s compelling performance as Bill Hodges, and its masterful blend of suspense and dark humor, “Mr. Mercedes” earns a solid recommendation. While the original review gave it an 8 out of 10 IMDB rating, its intricate plot and character development solidify its place as a must-watch for fans of the crime thriller genre.
