Aquarius, Sky Atlantic - TV review: From sci-fi-horror to the Manson murders, Duchovny has still got the X factor
If you liked those ‘Mad Men’ episodes where Don heads west, you’ll love this
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.While fans of The X Files patiently await Agent Mulder’s return, there’s another chance to be comforted by the badge-flashing presence of David Duchovny. In Sky Atlantic’s new period crime drama, Aquarius, he stars as Sam Hodiak, a detective in late-Sixties Los Angeles, whose latest case involves a certain unkempt fellow by the name of Charles Manson (Game of Thrones’ Gethin Anthony).
It’s the hippies’ heyday, see, and this show had a lot of fun with the fashion and design of the period. If you liked those Mad Men episodes where Don heads west, you’ll love this. It isn’t a straight retelling of the investigation of the Manson Family crimes, but instead uses a few real historical characters as the springboard for a new story involving a missing 16-year-old girl (Emma Dumont) and lots of soundtrack music by The Byrds, The Who and Jefferson Airplane.
Not only do parents no longer understand their wayward kids, but the older generation of buzz-cut cops struggle to connect with their younger, hairier colleagues. Although worldly-wise Sam might be a partial exception. As he revealed to his new love-beads-sporting partner, Shafe (Grey Damon), his old man the jazz drummer used to smoke pot it every day: “What? Am I blowing your mind or something? You kids, you think you invented everything!”
Likewise, Aquarius can’t claim to be breaking any new ground, but for crime-drama enthusiasts on the look out for something new, it makes for an interesting enough riff on that old favourite formula.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments