“Grotesquerie”: Season 1 (2024) starring Niecy Nash / Z-View

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Grotesquerie: Season 1 (2024)

Created by: Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, Joe Baken

Director: Max Winkler (Eps. 1-2; 5-7); Ryan Murphy (Ep. 3); Alexis Martin Woodall  (Eps. 4; 9-10;); Elegance Bratton (Ep. 8)

Teleplay: Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken (Eps. 1-10)

Stars: Niecy Nash, Courtney B. Vance, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Micaela Diamond, Raven Goodwin, Lesley Manville, Joshua Bitton, Jay Alan Christianson and Brooke Smith.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

A serial killer is murdering multiple people at a time.  The killer then poses the bodies into elaborate scenes.  Detective Lois Tryon (Nash) is assigned the case.  Lois’ plate is already full.  She’s drinking too much.  Her husband remains hospitalized in a coma.  Lois and her daughter’s relationship is strained and not getting better.

When the killer strikes again, Lois is introduced to Sister Megan Duval (Diamond).  Sister Megan sees religious symbolism that the killer leaves behind.  Her insights into the case are helpful.  Lois brings Sister Megan on board.

As Lois works the case she begins to sense that something isn’t right.

And, boy, is she correct.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Grotesquerie: Season 1 starts off well enough.  A brutal serial killer that murders multiple victims each time out.  A detective who drinks too much and has family problems.  An unconventional nun who may provide the key to the investigation.  This is a great combination for a fun/creepy/scary tale.  The actors are excellent.  The direction is as well done.

But… (You could feel that coming, couldn’t ya?)

As the series progresses we get the feeling that something is off kilter.  Then so does Detective Lois Tryon.  We are both proved right.  Ok, things to a turn but this can work as long as the writers stick the ending.

They don’t.  The ending didn’t resonate with me.  While this ending could lead into a season two (that we may or may not get), it leaves me dissatisfied.  I’m glad I took the journey, but the trip was more fun than the destination.

Grotesquerie: Season 1 (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.