Kaleidoscope is a complex heist TV show that has just been released on Netflix, but unlike almost all TV shows that recently have been released, Kaleidoscope is unique in a way that is brand new to the show landscape and it already has the internet in a head-spinning discussion.

Kaleidoscope is an average show, with nothing special in its plot, action, or acting which is unfortunate considering its stacked cast. But similar to many things, the story is propelled by a singular gimmick, the order of the episodes is randomized for every single person.

This concept is not something new in a sense like it may have been a few years ago. The likes of Black Mirror and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt have already experimented with this idea, and while the quality of these shows is up for debate, it’s true that their unique approaches brought a new element of viewing for the audience. And that’s why I think this type of gimmick television will fade away in the coming years.

Audiences have already experienced the typical twist and turns of TV and are looking for something outside of just the material provided. That’s understandable but does the gimmick really matter if the show itself isn’t great quality?

I personally feel I would have given more attention and been invested in the characters and story if it had unfolded based on a traditional timeline. I’m not a fan of series that use flashbacks in general and the episodes playing in a non-linear order felt jumbled and messy at times.

Now that we’ve discussed the gimmick, let’s discuss the show itself. The lead actor and main character Leo Pap, who is played by world-class actor Giancarlo Esposito is known for his work on Breaking Bad and various other shows and I really think he ran with the opportunity given by this show, as his character was easily the most entertaining. His daughter Ava Mercer, played by Paz Vega, is the highlight of the TV show.

We only get a glimpse of their relationship, but it’s a tense one and gives the story more meaning than making money. There’s a supporting cast of characters too, but this is the strongest character with the most potential for where it could have gone. 

That’s the best part of the TV show, the cast. The cast is the backbone of the show that holds it together. During the first few episodes where it seems that all they’re doing is burning time to the heist, the chemistry and intensity of the acting enable the show to be able to hold the attention of the audience while building up for the great heist.

The climax of the show comes when the group of thieves attempts to rob a vault that holds 7 billion dollars in bonds. The group faces challenges internally and externally through the many years we see them before the heist.

Unfortunately, Kaleidoscope fails to deliver an entertaining show, even if it’s unique in its approach. I feel like this style of show has potential but didn’t come together this time around. Still, it shows that Netflix is willing to dump money into unique, big-budget TV shows with large casts around classic topics.