Search Party is an incredible mix of screwball hilarity, pitch perfect relationship drama, and addictive mystery storytelling.
But where is she?
I watch a sickening, obsessive amount of television.
As a result, Ive gotten pretty familiar with the medium and the storytelling that its capable of creating.
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And yet,Search Partyis unlike any other show that Ive seen before.
On its surface level,Search Partyis a show about the mystery of a missing girl, Chantal.
Youve probably gathered as much from any ads youve seen for the program.
This is also a series that is just straight up addictive.
You want to watch more, just like Dory and crew want to learn more about Chantals situation.
The show lives and dies by its characters.
Alia Shawkats Dory is like if Nancy Drew and Daria had a lovechild.
Her group of friends is the aimless, self-interested Scooby Gang of our generation.
Sound a little like Kristen Bells Veronica Mars?
Not even a little.
She keeps making foolishalbeit passionatedecisions.
Shawkat is perfect here, but so is the entire supporting cast.
John Early is especially on fire as Elliott, with this maybe being his strongest vehicle yet.
Hes able to serve back everything that Shawkat throws at him.
Drew is such a fantastic, neurotic trainwreck that feels like George Costanza mixed withHappy EndingsMax Bloom.
Its a great performance and an enjoyable character.
Maybe my favorite thing about this show is that people arent idiots.
Characters are intelligent and respond how reasonable people should.
Search Partyalso manages to unlock some really impactful, brutal relationship commentary.
This even culminates in a super tense game of cat-and-mouse.
Search Partyis a lot of things and fortunately it happens to be quite formidable at this varied juggling act.
For whatever reason youre attracted to the show, theres plenty more to justify sticking around.
Real characters, confounding mysteries, and strategic storytelling all causeSearch Partyto shine.
Then again, half the fun is trying to figure it all out.
