7 Reasons You Need To Watch FX's Snowfall
California knows how to party.
Premiering last week, Snowfall is FX's big new summer drama, and the brainchild of John 'Boyz n the Hood' Singleton. Set in 1983 Los Angeles, the show targets the crack epidemic that broke out around that time.
It's hard to asses the quality of the show after just one episode, however, it's safe to say Snowfall is quite promising and already provides a few talking points regarding its potential. It might not be The Wire, as it's more concerned with flash than exploration, but that doesn't mean that it's free of controversies.
These are mostly associated with the character of agent Teddy McDonald, who's supposed to finance Nicaraguan soldiers by selling cocaine in the USA. The claim that the CIA knew about cocaine being brought into the United States has never been proven, but Singleton still decided to include his version of the events in the show.
In that sense Snowfall may be characterized as the African American version of fellow FX-show, The Americans - a fictional period piece about that time in the USA. However, it's really hard to compare the show to anything else right now, as it's really unique. Unique, wild, and fun.
(Minor spoilers ahead.)
7. It's Created By John Singleton
John Singleton was nominated for an Oscar for his directorial and screenwriting work on Boyz n the Hood. Being just 24 years old, Singleton was an interesting and rebellious filmmaker who had something to say, but after a few years he turned to action movies. His last was 2011's Abduction, which makes it partially clear why he hasn't directed another one since.
Snowfall may be the start of his redemption. Before he turned to action movies, he authored the likes of Boyz n the Hood and Poetic Justice, about the African American community in Los Angeles. He also lived in the city during the crack epidemic, so he knows its effects first-hand.
And since the series deals with issues similar to those covered in Singleton's best movie, it's understandable why the show should be great and why his name attached to such a project should guarantee quality.