Episode Guide
Episode 1 – | Review Score – 3/5 Episode 2 – | Review Score – 2.5/5 Episode 3 – | Review Score – 2.5/5 Episode 4 – | Review Score – 2.5/5 Episode 5 – | Review Score – 3.5/5 Episode 6 – | Review Score – 3/5 Episode 7 – | Review Score – 1.5/5 HBO’s latest comedy Run is the perfect example of a show that takes a very simple premise and runs it into the ground. With two unlikable protagonists at the helm and 7 stretched out episodes that rely on plot twists (albeit executed quite well) to drive the narrative forward, Run fails to deliver any consistent comedy or drama in a show you’re probably better off running away from. The story itself revolves around two characters, Ruby and Billy, who decide one day they’ve had enough of their lives and text “Run” to each other, indicating the start of their affair. With no warning to her husband and two kids, Ruby uproots her life for an old flame and together, they hop onboard a train in search of a new beginning. Their whirlwind romance leaves destruction in their wake, with numerous questions about their past brought to the foreground and shifty motivations for the two over what they’ve done. Of course, things don’t go to plan and as secrets start to messily spill over, the runaway quickly spirals out of control as these dramatic events play out across the 7 episodes. With an already-flawed premise relying on you rallying behind a woman who’s cheated on her loving husband and left her kids behind, this entire affair is made worse by some lackluster comedy that fails to hit the right notes. To be fair, Billy and Ruby do have some good chemistry together which helps to prop the show up from the realm of disappointment it remains for much of its runtime. The supporting characters that show up don’t fare much better either, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character and Officer Cloud flawed to the point of undermining any of the good-will gained by a couple of surprisingly entertaining episodes late on. Unfortunately the poor resolution during the finale fails to answer many of the questions raised either, leaving things frustratingly open. With each episode clocking in at around 25 minutes or so, this is really a series designed to be consumed in one go rather than spread out like it was across 7 weeks. Ironically watching it in this way actually highlights the flaws inherent with this one more clearly meaning there’s no ideal way to watch Run. Given the wealth of great small screen content out at the moment it’s debatable whether you’ll ever return to this one again, let alone start watching if you missed it the first time. Run is the perfect example of a recipe that’s been half-baked and come out the oven an uneven, bland, tasteless mess that fails to get the basics right. Run is simply not worth your time and the open-ending dissolves any of the good will earned by a couple of fun twists and turns late on. It’s a comedy that isn’t very funny with dramatic elements that aren’t very dramatic, making for a forgettable experience you’re probably best running away from. Published: 28 May 2020 at 12:15pm on TheReviewGeek.com
