I didn't have HBO when this played (I still don't have it) so I'm just catching up on it now the DVDs being released. I'm a big fan of the old comic (I have all the issues that were reprinted in the 1990s) and I had heard this series was really strong stuff. I did see the edited episodes that popped up on regular TV...but the cuts were obvious and rendered some of the stories incomprehensible. Now I'm finally seeing them uncut. The verdict? They're OK.
The casts are great (it's fun seeing Brad Pitt before he hit it big) and there's some well-directed episodes...but I find this series lacking somewhat. For starters, it's not as extreme as I heard. With the sole exception of "Lover Come Hack To Me" from season one there's next to no blood or gore. There's some minor swearing and occasional flashes of nudity--but where's all the blood and violence I heard this contained? I'm just finishing season 4 and have yet to see one episode that I could call very bloody. You don't need that to make it scary, but I heard for years that this was pretty violent and blood-drenched. It's not. Also some of the writing is very poor and the some of the episodes seem rushed (but they only had about half an hour to get in everything). Also, it's just not scary. Not one episode has even remotely spooked me. So, it's worth seeing for the casts and directors but it's no big deal. A 7.
The casts are great (it's fun seeing Brad Pitt before he hit it big) and there's some well-directed episodes...but I find this series lacking somewhat. For starters, it's not as extreme as I heard. With the sole exception of "Lover Come Hack To Me" from season one there's next to no blood or gore. There's some minor swearing and occasional flashes of nudity--but where's all the blood and violence I heard this contained? I'm just finishing season 4 and have yet to see one episode that I could call very bloody. You don't need that to make it scary, but I heard for years that this was pretty violent and blood-drenched. It's not. Also some of the writing is very poor and the some of the episodes seem rushed (but they only had about half an hour to get in everything). Also, it's just not scary. Not one episode has even remotely spooked me. So, it's worth seeing for the casts and directors but it's no big deal. A 7.