10 Recent TV Shows That Failed Hard (But Should Have Been Great)
6. Marco Polo
Made four years ago, when Netflix was attempting to get their original programming on a roll, this historical epic attempted to rival the major productions coming out of HBO.
A fascinating storyline - Marco Polo’s complex period spent in Kubla Khan's court - with lavish locations, mature content, and an extravagant budget. Netflix was betting big that this would be there answer to Game Of Thrones.
Well, one’s thing for sure: the budget shows, with a lush visual palette, and the Kazakhstania dessert making for some enthralling window dressing. That’s all well and good, but asides from an on-fire Benedict Wong as Khan, the rest of the cast just lumber through proceedings.
No one is more guilty of this then Lorenzo Richelmy in the titular role, who basically stares and squints his way through two seasons, without us ever caring a smidgen about his character's journey.
The story is a familiar tale of political infighting, civil wars, and naive Western eyes in an Eastern world. We’ve all seen it done before, and done much better. It doesn’t help that its attempt at period elegance erratically switches to hardcore sex and violence without a moments notice - perhaps in an attempt to distract its vast shortcomings.