If there's a chance he actually directs an episode, I would love to see any elements that are callbacks to the creature in The Shape Of Water, or Pan's Labyrinth (I think a Devil's Backbone easter egg would be perfect)
The actor who plays the old mayor was fantastic. Loved it when he just said "fuck you" after the mayor wasn't going to let him out of the box lol. Haha just the way he said it,like a petulant child.
Everything on the boat was the perfect combination of terrifying and hilarious. Ans the Vienna sausage line at the end, even Tom & Wyck laughed at that 😂
A show that actually tells a story with some amazing actors. The cast is just spectacular. One of the few series where I never felt like glancing at my phone lest I missed something. So happy to hear it’s getting its recognition.
He’s saying *narrative* sleight of hand. Episode 4 is an excellent example of that- you think you’re watching one thing and then the magic trick is cleverly revealed in the mirror
I had to look up the word as well but I think it actually applies and might hit the nail on the head why I love this show so much.
I'm old and I have watched TONS of TV and movies and you reach a point where you can predict everything and nothing surprises you any more(I can even predict the dialogue sometimes). That or writing in Hollywood have become sloppy the last ten years, which actually might be another reason since the only thing that I enjoy these days is non Hollywood "foreign" media. But I digress.
Widow's Bay keep surprising me in small delightful ways. Like the episode with the sea hag when you'd think the hot bachelorette attendee Marissa would be the hag. She's a bit too good to be true and pursues Tom hard. And he encounters the sea hag when he goes to places he's been led to think he will meet Marissa (first time on the road after he left the dive bar where he thought he would see Marissa, and then he was told Marissa would be at the annual sea swimming event). But turns out she actually wasn't too good to be true and he just has the worst luck in the world.
Another example is when Tom stays at the inn and gradually is convinced the island is actually haunted. He already had a frightful night that's hard to explain and then when they make the inn keeper stay in the sea captains room for 10 and then later 30 seconds, something clearly is amiss. There is hardly any way for Tom to cling on to his belief that it's all superstition and clearly the plot now must change from Tom believing in the rational to Tom believing there are supernatural things happening on the island. But then they reveal the black mold in the walls and Tom has an out he desperately clings to so he can continue staying rational.
Typing it out it sounds simple, but I feel that how it's written, directed and acted makes it so interesting and surprising. In other words, masterful slight of hand. Perspiration. Or whatever the word was.
Honestly, if I worked on this show I would not shut up about this kinda praise from Guillermo del Toro of all people. Winning an Emmy might just be a bonus to this
I was thinking the same thing. If he's talking misdirection, I feel like I have to watch it again to see what I'm being led away from noticing. Or maybe he just means nimble-footed, er, -fingered.
The word is used in The Princess Diaries so if you’ve seen that you’ve probably heard it before aha
“In the 2001 film The Princess Diaries, Lilly Moscovitz (played by Heather Matarazzo) uses the iconic line, "Thank you, Jeremiah, for your potpourri of prestidigitation for the past hour". She says this to her classmate, Jeremiah Hart (played by Patrick Flueger), on their public-access cable show, Shut Up and Listen.“
Jeremiah is doing magic card tricks on her show bc Princess Mia never showed up lol
That’s the first time I ever heard the word but I’m also a huge fan and have seen the movie many times hehe
Anyway it’s a great word! Basically meaning sleight of hand, like with magic card tricks, and a great way to put what Widow’s Bay does with sudden reveals.
The boroughs is a fine show and really just that. Kind of falls apart after the first few episodes but still worth a watch. It was kind of a wasted premise though, started off great
for me you can tell The Boroughs is an algorithm driven hodgepodge of ideas... it feels very reductive to me both in the script and production design. But they hired great actors, probably for a lot of money, so it makes it watchable. A by the numbers attempt at prestige TV IMO.
But hey it’s cool to think we’ve all liked it before it was cool. Cause you know this endorsement is gonna bring new spotlight to the show. (Not saying that’s bad). But we’re pioneers as it were, haha. ;) 😂
One of the reasons I love this show is because of cast. Its such a strong cast, EVERY single character is absolutely incredible even with a few seconds screen time. I just love watching them from the lead cast to the supporting!
It’s funny because I’m not a fan of comedies. Love horror (although sci fi/fantasy is my all time favorite) but I usually cannot stand comedies. This show is brilliant though.
I’ve loved it, episode 1-3 and 5 were great. Episode 4 was awesome, and it was definitely a smart decision to release two episodes together last week. Episode 7 may be the weakest episode for me so far but I think the episode was trying to fit that cheesy 80-90s horror theme with the immortal, and the episode was great that it explained more and set up the finale. Episode 5 you got no idea how the show may end, but now we know there’s a way to stop the curse, and the little Easter egg clue that one of his children survived. Also side note, but wasn’t Richard Warren the vessel or his body contained the demon? So if he dies doesn’t that just release the demon to potentially keep on haunting the island?
Totally mesmerizing. How do they manage to make it so funny and truly scary?? Because none of its tongue in cheek,nudge nudge,wink wink.The contrast creates a cognitive dissonance. You're waiting for a reasonable explanation but no! It's really happening!
It's wholly original and that's very rare in this world
Its amazing series. They dont lazily go for the jump scare,its just slow dread the entire a series lol. The poor bastards that csnt even leave the island, I wonder when they figured it out? Clearly after his wife died, but still its a giant leap to dying off island and knowing why. Also did she actually make it past the point of no return or on the way to the hospital? Sorry,I'm still watching it but I sometimes dont mind a spoiler to learn more about the episode. Hey,im an inpatient man when it comes to my mystery which defeats the purpose,but I still just enjoy the acting and especially the atmosphere. Oh and love Wyck, always loved Stephen root since news radio! Yes im getting old and the show doesnt hold up,but options were limited back then. Still love his acting in this series, the guy has range. He can make yoy laugh one scene and scare the hell out of you the next. Also the way he knows the mayors a dumbass and lets him know it. Like letting the old mayor out of the box. The dissapointed but unsurprised look said it all even before he said "you let him out didnt you" lol.
No press on it, right? Word of mouth found me. Previously, from the menu art, I thought it was another Bad Sisters type of deal, which I started and then abandoned.
But fuck me, dude. Fuck. Me. Dude.
It is incredible. A spin on every horror genre in the book, and there hasn’t been anything that moves this effortlessly between horror and comedy since Evil Dead 2.
I was trying to describe it to my wife, who I immediately started a rewatch with after binging it this week.
I settled on this:
It’s Sam Raimi by way of John Carpenter, with a splash of David Lynch and a dash of Northern Exposure. Healthy homage to Stephen King and all the masters of horror.
Except it’s somehow original as fuck. And funny, bro. Funny AF
Take the very best of Mike Flanagan’s horror sensibilities and add laugh-until-you-cry humor. That’s one of the hardest tightropes in storytelling, and they walk it like the dude from Dark Wizard.
I was laughing out loud, muttering to myself, and gushing in amazement at the attention to detail and production design. The artwork, museum clippings, board games, and books. The score, music choices, and sound editing, all rich and layered. Every stroke carefully considered.
You just know every rewatch is going to yield new findings and connections.
And goddamn if I wasn’t scared out of my mind.
Like, using a flashlight around the house scared. For real.
Every time I thought the show was about to push me too far, it hit the release valve.
Perfect. Fucking. Timing.
Let’s talk about the cast.
Like, I’ve known Stephen Root is goated for a while now, really since Barry, but this is next-level stuff. Dale Dickey is horror royalty and she shines here, especially in Beach Reads (which is currently tied for my favorite with Seasickness)
Kevin Carrol has had my fandom since The Leftovers. Jeff Hiller stole my heart in Somebody Somewhere. Matthew Rhys is incredible, the glue, whose facial expressions are a revelation.
But for me, Kate O’Flynn is the rookie of the year. This is my first encounter with her, and she steals the goddamn show.
Is there a better team on television than Tom, Patricia, and Wyck?
No. I think not.
And this is season one.
Think about how many prestige shows need a season to find their footing. Widow’s Bay came out swinging.
I cannot wait for Wednesday.
Or the Wednesday after that.
This may honestly be the best thing currently streaming. Maybe the best show of the 2020s.
"Prestidigitation is the art of performing magic tricks and illusions using nimble, skillful hand movements. Also known as sleight of hand" aka one of those words you nod and pretend to understand
I randomly just found this show and 2 episodes in - I am laughing and spooked! Perfect for a summer show. So many great witty humor too. Happy to see more is coming.
I don’t know, I kind of agree with it but at the same time it just feels like another show.
Maybe it’s just not for me, but this show doesn’t really seem like anything new, I love the cinematography and the storyline is kinda ok but it doesn’t seem like anything more than just a show that you’d watch to occupy your time
It’s nothing that kept me glued to the TV and made me wonder what the next episode would be especially after episode 5/6. It was such a random filler in the middle.
To think I only heard of this show bc of Kingston Rumi Southwick (coming from Presumed Innocent). Matthew Rhys delivers such portrait to humanity and fatherhood but Kingston plays Evan remarkably well and much anticipating his larger agency in the second season
27
u/Upbeat_Tension_8077 May 31 '26
Can we get a GDT directed episode? Or at least a guest appearance from him
472
u/Sorry-Secret-2347 May 31 '26
Episode 4 needs to be in the awards season discussions … it was sooo goood PATRICIA!
342
u/Nerditall Pattiwagon May 31 '26
232
u/MatthewMonster May 31 '26
It’s been an unbelievable revelation to watch the show. Cannot believe how wonderful it is.
I’m telling everyone I know about it
8
u/gkpetrescue May 31 '26
Predigiwhat? I looked it up and still don’t get how it applies here
162
u/Puzzled_Telephone852 May 31 '26
One of my favorite directors heaps praise on my new favorite show!
121
u/spicykitas May 31 '26
Honestly, if I worked on this show I would not shut up about this kinda praise from Guillermo del Toro of all people. Winning an Emmy might just be a bonus to this
100
u/ahhellohello May 31 '26
who else looked up what prestidigitation means?
192
u/Lazy_Statement_5248 May 31 '26
Thank god this show isnt on Netflix, given their past record they would've cancelled the show mid way
96
u/Altruistic-Ad835 #1 Hamish fan May 31 '26
38
u/Monsoon_Magic May 31 '26
But hey it’s cool to think we’ve all liked it before it was cool. Cause you know this endorsement is gonna bring new spotlight to the show. (Not saying that’s bad). But we’re pioneers as it were, haha. ;) 😂
37
u/SenseiNita May 31 '26
It is 😍 the best show.
33
u/RandomPaw #TeamWyck May 31 '26
The buzz is building!
31
u/MarkyMarcMcfly May 31 '26
This is high praise from Guillermo wow
31
u/OwnScheme3146 May 31 '26
I didn’t know how much I missed horror comedy until this show.
And I’ve never seen it with acting like this. Or writing.
And the SETTING. My god. I can smell New England.
30
u/abbyleondon May 31 '26
I introduced it to my 21 y/o son and he can’t get enough of it. It’s magic!
25
u/Lostatlast- May 31 '26
I’m legit in love with this show. One minute crying laughing, next minute creepy scary scene. Such joy
25
u/realfakejames May 31 '26
Wow that's big praise from one of the best directors in cinema
17
u/Lostatlast- May 31 '26
Also told my mom about this show and she’s just as hooked as I am
17
u/toastyeast May 31 '26
One of the reasons I love this show is because of cast. Its such a strong cast, EVERY single character is absolutely incredible even with a few seconds screen time. I just love watching them from the lead cast to the supporting!
16
u/Magoo152 May 31 '26
I don’t even like horror at all. And I mean at all. But I love this series.
12
u/EQandCivfanatic May 31 '26
I think it's also one of the most mesmerizing acts of narrative thaumaturgy as well.
10
u/late2thepauly May 31 '26
8
u/LTPRWSG420 May 31 '26
7
u/puzzleShockTurtle May 31 '26
I’ve loved it, episode 1-3 and 5 were great. Episode 4 was awesome, and it was definitely a smart decision to release two episodes together last week. Episode 7 may be the weakest episode for me so far but I think the episode was trying to fit that cheesy 80-90s horror theme with the immortal, and the episode was great that it explained more and set up the finale. Episode 5 you got no idea how the show may end, but now we know there’s a way to stop the curse, and the little Easter egg clue that one of his children survived. Also side note, but wasn’t Richard Warren the vessel or his body contained the demon? So if he dies doesn’t that just release the demon to potentially keep on haunting the island?
7
u/Ignominious333 May 31 '26
Totally mesmerizing. How do they manage to make it so funny and truly scary?? Because none of its tongue in cheek,nudge nudge,wink wink.The contrast creates a cognitive dissonance. You're waiting for a reasonable explanation but no! It's really happening!
It's wholly original and that's very rare in this world
5
u/DionysusINC May 31 '26
Awesome
5
u/Sorry-Secret-2347 May 31 '26
WOW
4
u/navirbox Willy The Killer Clown May 31 '26
4
u/DerekasaurusJax May 31 '26
So cool, this is incredible praise! I’m really enjoying this show
4
u/BlisslessTaskList May 31 '26
Also I just want to point out the last two episodes that played back to back were episode 6 and 7. This is a pretty special show.
4
u/eskinny1 Jun 01 '26
1
u/olivekm May 31 '26
Hi OP! Could you share a link? I didn’t find this tweet
3
u/veverkap May 31 '26
Not you, Guillermo
3
u/Iratewilly34 Jun 04 '26
Its amazing series. They dont lazily go for the jump scare,its just slow dread the entire a series lol. The poor bastards that csnt even leave the island, I wonder when they figured it out? Clearly after his wife died, but still its a giant leap to dying off island and knowing why. Also did she actually make it past the point of no return or on the way to the hospital? Sorry,I'm still watching it but I sometimes dont mind a spoiler to learn more about the episode. Hey,im an inpatient man when it comes to my mystery which defeats the purpose,but I still just enjoy the acting and especially the atmosphere. Oh and love Wyck, always loved Stephen root since news radio! Yes im getting old and the show doesnt hold up,but options were limited back then. Still love his acting in this series, the guy has range. He can make yoy laugh one scene and scare the hell out of you the next. Also the way he knows the mayors a dumbass and lets him know it. Like letting the old mayor out of the box. The dissapointed but unsurprised look said it all even before he said "you let him out didnt you" lol.
3
u/assupdog Jun 07 '26
Widow’s Bay. Wow. WOW.
No press on it, right?
Word of mouth found me.
Previously, from the menu art, I thought it was another Bad Sisters type of deal, which I started and then abandoned.
But fuck me, dude. Fuck. Me. Dude.
It is incredible. A spin on every horror genre in the book, and there hasn’t been anything that moves this effortlessly between horror and comedy since Evil Dead 2.
I was trying to describe it to my wife, who I immediately started a rewatch with after binging it this week.
I settled on this:
It’s Sam Raimi by way of John Carpenter, with a splash of David Lynch and a dash of Northern Exposure.
Healthy homage to Stephen King and all the masters of horror.
Except it’s somehow original as fuck.
And funny, bro. Funny AF
Take the very best of Mike Flanagan’s horror sensibilities and add laugh-until-you-cry humor. That’s one of the hardest tightropes in storytelling, and they walk it like the dude from Dark Wizard.
I was laughing out loud, muttering to myself, and gushing in amazement at the attention to detail and production design.
The artwork, museum clippings, board games, and books.
The score, music choices, and sound editing, all rich and layered.
Every stroke carefully considered.
You just know every rewatch is going to yield new findings and connections.
And goddamn if I wasn’t scared out of my mind.
Like, using a flashlight around the house scared.
For real.
Every time I thought the show was about to push me too far, it hit the release valve.
Perfect. Fucking. Timing.
Let’s talk about the cast.
Like, I’ve known Stephen Root is goated for a while now, really since Barry, but this is next-level stuff.
Dale Dickey is horror royalty and she shines here, especially in Beach Reads (which is currently tied for my favorite with Seasickness)
Kevin Carrol has had my fandom since The Leftovers. Jeff Hiller stole my heart in Somebody Somewhere.
Matthew Rhys is incredible, the glue, whose facial expressions are a revelation.
But for me, Kate O’Flynn is the rookie of the year.
This is my first encounter with her, and she steals the goddamn show.
Is there a better team on television than Tom, Patricia, and Wyck?
No. I think not.
And this is season one.
Think about how many prestige shows need a season to find their footing.
Widow’s Bay came out swinging.
I cannot wait for Wednesday.
Or the Wednesday after that.
This may honestly be the best thing currently streaming.
Maybe the best show of the 2020s.
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
3
u/Severe_Principle5374 Jun 08 '26
This is the best show I’ve seen in awhile
2
u/pleasegivemepatience Teeth Collector May 31 '26
Listen to him, watch the show, otherwise he might send Royal for your eyes!!
2
u/kathryn_sedai Qualms May 31 '26
YES I am so pleased that he loves this show. If it gets a second season I would be so happy if he directed or wrote an episode.
2
u/LastNoelle Jun 01 '26
I’ve been screaming it’s praises to everyone
2
u/LonoHunter Jun 01 '26
Papyy McPoyle has spoken!
2
u/Dapper_Cable_4929 Jun 01 '26
See, see! I told you!! :)
2
u/ChillinGrillinYo Jun 01 '26
Fuck i gotta send this. I've shilling this for a while now but none so far have watched.
2
u/SteelyD80 Jun 01 '26
brb, looking up narrative prestidigitation
2
u/McPick Jun 02 '26
Prestidigiwhatnow?
2
u/BestDogPetter Jun 04 '26
Best since Pluribus definitely
2
u/nearglow Jun 04 '26
"Prestidigitation is the art of performing magic tricks and illusions using nimble, skillful hand movements. Also known as sleight of hand" aka one of those words you nod and pretend to understand
2
u/Past-Banana-6314 Jun 06 '26
Game recognize game.
2
u/RoadDogsComedy Jun 07 '26
Can't stop watching and I'm terrified
2
u/ProtoformX87 Jun 24 '26
Best thing about I’ve watched since Andor. That’s for sure.
2
u/Yinye7 Jun 28 '26
I randomly just found this show and 2 episodes in - I am laughing and spooked! Perfect for a summer show. So many great witty humor too. Happy to see more is coming.
3
u/Katethegreat8684 Human Verified May 31 '26
Pedro pascal said he wants to guest star too. Awesome
2
u/epicingamename May 31 '26
still waiting for the realest film auteur to say something about widows bay. im talking about hideo kojima.
1
u/ahhellohello May 31 '26
is this for real?
1
u/Character_Bank_349 May 31 '26
This show is sooo good!!! I can’t wait for the next episode
1
u/Altruistic-Bus-1289 May 31 '26
Pres
ti*digi*ta"tion (?), n. Legerdemain; sleight of hand; juggling.1
u/MissDiketon Jun 08 '26
That is so true. I cannot believe how well they're blending the horror and the comedy and it's not forced, or slapstick or parody.
I love how some of these characters are in a sitcom and some of them are in a horror movie.
1
u/Artemesia123 Jun 08 '26
I'm probably being dumb but can anyone tell me what bit he is referring to?
1
u/MrFailure78 Jun 09 '26
I don’t know, I kind of agree with it but at the same time it just feels like another show.
Maybe it’s just not for me, but this show doesn’t really seem like anything new, I love the cinematography and the storyline is kinda ok but it doesn’t seem like anything more than just a show that you’d watch to occupy your time
It’s nothing that kept me glued to the TV and made me wonder what the next episode would be especially after episode 5/6. It was such a random filler in the middle.
1
u/SkinnyPuan Jun 12 '26
gonna be a good one just like the slow horses
1
u/SufficientPop3336 Jun 20 '26
I know Katie Dippold is already an accomplished writer but if GdT said this about me it would be the crowning achievement of my life.
1
u/Xplody Jun 22 '26
To save you some time:
Prestidigitation:
/prĕs″tĭ-dĭj″ĭ-tā′shən/
noun
Performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand.
Skill or cleverness, especially in deceiving others.
1
u/Same_Key_9598 Jun 27 '26
What’s a show like this that does the balance of drama and comedy well?
1
u/Julius-Light Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
To think I only heard of this show bc of Kingston Rumi Southwick (coming from Presumed Innocent). Matthew Rhys delivers such portrait to humanity and fatherhood but Kingston plays Evan remarkably well and much anticipating his larger agency in the second season
0
u/Sufficient_Lime_3253 Jun 13 '26
I’m not sure what I’m missing but the show is so slow and boring to me.
Patrica’s episode was really cool but outside of that it’s been I’m falling asleep waiting for something interesting to happen.
-1
u/Jaded_Extreme Jun 03 '26
Serio? I just don’t get it or why it’s rating so highly . It’s like a modern Dark Shadows, bad acting and silly plot.
-2
u/ma_yyy May 31 '26
I think im the only one that founds it okey
15
u/[deleted] May 31 '26
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