Bloodline

After binge watching the likes of "House of Cards," "Orange is the New Black," and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" I'm basically in the palm of Netflix's hands. They could release a show about anything and I'd just about watch it. Netflix has proved time and time again that they know how to tell stories, and with Bloodline, Netflix continues their domination of original storytelling and sets their new standard.

The Rayburn Family is a very well-respected family in the Florida Keys, and not because of their wealth or power, but because they are known to be good people. They're a family that never thinks of themselves. Everything they touch seems to be blessed with good fortune. That is, until Danny comes home. Danny is back to churn up the past and reveal the true family legacy.

Leading the Rayburn family and the beginning of stunning casting decisions, is Kyle Chandler, the proud Sherrif John Rayburn. His loving mom (Sissy Spacek) and dad (Sam Shepard) run a vacation home in the Florida keys, where his beautiful sister Meg (Linda Cardellini) is a lawyer and brother Kevin (Norbert Leo Butz) is a fisherman. They are the perfect family living on a picture perfect beach with no worries in the world. But there's also the long lost eldest brother Danny, portrayed with incredible depth by Ben Mendelsohn, who is a drug addict with a disturbing past of obstacles and failures. When Danny comes back home to celebrate the anniversary of his parents, he instantly becomes the thorn in everyone's side. Slowly but surely the Rayburn's start deteriorating until their weaknesses are revealed. In the end, all Danny wants is to be accepted back into his family and to be seen as a brother instead of a nuisance, but after numerous rejections and near successes, maybe only revenge will satiate his appetite.

In this first season, the familial bond of love and forgiveness is tested around the Rayburn's past. Every character in this series has a history they are struggling with, and Danny is the only one that makes them confront it. It's impressive to see a story interweave all of it's characters through so many highs and lows that in the end you love and hate every single one of them.

The entire cast was phenomenal, but there were two that stood above the rest and that was Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn. Their balance between delusion and devotion was so well directed as they embraced and chased each other. I don't remember the last time that I've seen a stronger or more complex relationship displayed onscreen.

With the ideal cast, an elaborate and engaging story, absolute beautiful locations juxtaposed against a destructive family, everything about this was absolute perfection. There are still so many other things about this series that I wish I could describe but I don't want to give too much away. This may be the best produced series I have ever seen and I cannot recommend this highly enough.