The first shot of Shut Eye shows us the Hanged Man tarot card. In many cases this card refers to indecision. This is very appropriate because as a viewer I’m unsure how this show is going to turn out. Our protagonist Charlie Haverford sells $500 candles, and seems to have more made up mojo than he does real magick. The tagline for the show is “fake psychics, real visions.” So let’s see what the future holds.
Shut Eye is a tarot show that represents the four elements : water, fire, guilt, and greed. It presents in the style of a gritty crime drama. The characters psychic skills are running a distant second to their manipulation ability. In a way Shut Eye is self-referential. It pokes fun at “fake” hucksters and then gives the main character strange visions, that look more like bad acid flashbacks. The show also brings up the difficult question of stereotype. But is it being respectful? It takes at least 15 minutes before the word Romani comes into play in the first episode. However, where stereotype is concerned they also seem to just be adding to the list of examples.
I do have to say cheers to the writers, because there is some seriously good dialogue here. My favorite line so far “I hope this doesn’t hurt you to hear, you’re not my first anything. ” The backstories here are interesting. Consequently, the characters of Shut Eye are able to draw you in very quickly. The show is worth watching if only for a look a the family’s matriarch played brilliantly by Isabella Rossellini.
The website nerdophiles.com reports on the show after the cast’s recent appearance at Comic Con.
“Interestingly, even though the world of psychics may seem like something out of a myth, all of the cast members pointed out that there are real, grounded techniques used that make the traditional work of psychics actually work. It is not all just fantasy. Zayas [who plays Eduardo Bernal ] admitted it was hard to “buy in” to the idea of psychics, and in preparation for his role he went to a couple true Romani psychics in the area in order to “find something he could believe” about it…. The show’s commitment to exploring the real world of psychics is wonderful, and Bohem shared some of the research they did, including bringing on consultants who were embedded in the culture.”
The entire first season of Shut Eye is now streaming on Hulu. You can watch the trailer below.
For those who have been inspired by Shut Eye to go to a real psychic please check out the talented psychics we have here in our Divination Space Station series. Alternatively you can email me at voodoouniverse@yahoo.com to book an appointment with me.
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