30

If anything, the dark comedy in this episodic series reminds me of Desperate Housewives (2004-2012). Of course, the new format in the video-streaming era is to have up to 12 episodes per series. Sirens is one of the series which has five episodes, with varying degrees of pace and storytelling.

While the title is a reference to the Greek mythology of mythical creatures that are said to be half-woman and half-animal, I’d also like to think the series presents alarming but also truthful themes that will be of benefit to especially the generations to come, once our parents pass on.

The series serves up a good dose of in-your-face scenarios and wit. This series also teaches us that you can return a gift to the giver, especially when you’re angry with that person, even if you’re related (haha). If you ask me, this is highly relatable.

For each episode, with some going on for 60 minutes, some are quite worth the time, while the others tend to feel like a drag. Some episodes are at breakneck speed, while the  others are just..

Fortunately, the cast carried the story well, with stellar performances by veterans Julianne Moore and Kevin Bacon helped heighten the loudness and eccentricity that define the series, coupled with its bold colours and highlight on a bird and wildlife sanctuary. If these are not wild enough for you, this series probably isn’t for you.

While ideally, siblings are supposed to care for their elderly parents once they grow old and find it too challenging to take care of themselves independently, it didn’t come as a surprise to me when one sibling decided to opt out with all her might, after apparently enduring a period of trauma brought on by their father. And sometimes, all the other sibling can do is just heed that call and not harp on it any longer.  

The snappy dialogue is surely the highlight of this particular series, making it the top 10 on Netflix Malaysia. Milly Alcock, the Australian actress also deserves credit for the way she plays and slays her character, Simone.

The employee-employer dynamics is also explored to a certain (bizarre) extent, which of course, raises more questions than answers. Did you ever have a superior that creepy?

The starting scenes of the presence of the police siren is also symbolic for the older sibling, Devon’s brush with the law for driving under the influence (DUI).

Best of all, this series teaches viewers that everyone has their own issues and nobody can truly be in one’s good books.

Sirens is based on Elemeno Pea, a 2011 play by Molly Smith Metzler that was released then on 8 March, in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the Humana Festival of New American Plays.