I’ve always liked Colin Farrell. Ever since Phone Booth, I’ve been rooting for the guy. It’s weird because although one can argue that there are a lot of better actors out there, I find that a lot of movies he stars in just fits him so perfectly well, which obviously makes it a joy to watch. While I’m not really a big fan of the Batman franchise, I am glad he got to star as The Penguin in the 2024 HBO series. Instead, I chose to watch the Apple TV original series, Sugar, instead. It’s been a while since I last watched an LA noir detective television series. With Colin Farrell starring as the lead character, John Sugar, what could go wrong?

I thought the series was a bit above average overall. He plays an oldie loving movie nerd yet dapper detective whose main job is to find missing people. Whether he works for the Japanese yakuza or for an extremely popular Hollywood film producer makes no difference. He finds people, in a very non-violent manner. On this backdrop is where he takes on the case of finding Olivia Siegel, missing daughter to one of those film producer mogul. At only 8 episodes, with each around 35–40 minutes in length, I found that to be absolutely perfect. I found oddly that this is one of those series where no over analysis was required. You just sit back and enjoy the show. One thing I do have to criticize is the lack of imagination when it came to Olivia brother’s scandal, along with the bad guy in the end. Like, how many times do we have to continue seeing these same old themes play out regarding sickos time and time again?

Everything about Sugar is about what you’d expect from a typical detective story until the ultimate shocking reveal came in the late second half of the series. I’m kinda not sure how I felt about it at first? John and his team being revealed as aliens from another planet to simply observe humans literally came out of nowhere. But with hindsight, I guess there were some small hints? Him never wanting to use violence. His generosity and naiveness in thinking giving so much money to a random homeless drug addict would help. His ability to speak dozens of languages. How he loves to simply stare at people at Shibuya crossing to observe their emotions. How he’s not able to get drunk (this is one superpower I’d want myself). His unwillingness to talk about himself. Oh, and being able to swat away a bullet.

In a way, this gives the story and the John Sugar character a completely different dimension. Upon completion of the 8 episode series, I think it would have been a lot more flat and mediocre had they not introduced that shocking reveal. Its just that I didn’t feel like they had enough time to really do anything with it as it was revealed so late. With the series being confirmed for a second season by Apple TV, I’m wondering how they will go about it. John will obviously go searching for his missing daughter but now that his role as private investigator is no longer required, will we continue to see John taking on a new case to keep up with the private detective theme, or will we see a complete change in direction? I think I’d be down to watch season 2. Like maybe 60% to 40% in favor of? I do hope they can get more creative though in whatever case they have John Sugar investigating.