*The Polygamist* is a story about a man, but it is never really just about a man.
What makes the series work so well is its understanding of consequences. Every decision the protagonist makes causes a shock wave in the lives of those around him. The series constantly reminds us that our choices rarely belong to us alone; They become burdens, lessons and scars carried by all those trapped in their orbit.
Stars: Gugu Gumede, Kwanele Mthethwa, S'Dumo Mtshali
The script is one of the series' greatest strengths. Avoid easy answers and allow the drama to develop through relationships instead of resorting to spectacle. However, I was left wanting to know more about the protagonist's past. We see fragments of his adolescence and understand that he was a womanizer who often got what he wanted, but was still searching for the deeper root of his behavior. What caused this insatiable need? What void were you trying to fill? The series stays on the surface, but never really goes into depth.
The secondary characters are written exceptionally. Each person linked to the protagonist feels real, imperfect and close. Chances are you'll see a little bit of yourself, or someone you know, in at least one of them. To say more would ruin the experience, and this is a series best enjoyed without too much preparation.
The cast deserves great recognition. All of the performances feel authentic and the costumes help each character maintain their own identity. Nothing out of place. Yes, there is a lot of sex throughout the series, but far from it being a problem for me, it made me want a deeper psychological exploration of the man at the center of it all. Understanding his motivations would have further elevated an already fascinating story.
When you reach the end of the season, you realize that the series does not really ask whether the protagonist acts well or badly. What it raises is how many lives can be altered by the desires of a single person before the damage becomes impossible to ignore.
With beautiful cinematography, good acting and a solid script, *The Polygamist* offers a story that is both entertaining and uncomfortably close to reality.
Some people chase love. Others pursue themselves through others.
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