Peacock's "Apples Never Fall" is a gripping narrative filled with family mysteries and secrets, centering upon the mysterious disappearance of Joy Delaney (played by Annette Bening), a retired tennis coach. The series intricately unravels the tucked-away truths of the Delaney family, digging up hidden skeletons and reopening old wounds. The family's seemingly idyllic exterior is split wide open, revealing well-guarded secrets from varying perspectives.
Despite the layers of intrigue, a sense of underwhelm lingers, with the show's world seeming superficial. Nevertheless, the series has moments of brilliance manifesting in exceptional performances coupled with a nuanced understanding of the Delaney family's complex dynamics.
The series commences with the enigma of Joy's disappearance underscored by scenes of her abandoned, blood-smeared bicycle. This mystery forms the pivotal narrative with the core being the family drama leading to Joy's vanishing. Suspicion falls on Savannah (played by Georgia Flood), a crafty stranger, but soon shifts onto the patriarch of the family, Stan (played by Sam Neill), raising suspicions about the family's past.
It's this exploration of the past through periodic flashbacks that lays bare the unresolved resentment, misunderstandings, and questionable life lessons that shape the Delaneys. The comfortable chemistry among the cast effectively mirrors a lifetime of closeness and disagreements.
An intriguing perspective introduced by the series is the multiple, often contradictory truths stemming from shared history. Different family members hold disparate memories and interpretations of the same past, depicting a family dynamic filled with complexities.
However, where "Apples Never Fall" shines in showcasing family intricacies, it fails to build a substantial world around it. The portrayal of their hometown and their community connection is vaguely established, making the series seem isolated.
Attempts to focus on individual characters often backfire due to the one-dimensional peripheral characters. The series, with its insular scope, presents the Delaneys as flat, with characters being defined more by their relation to each other than as individuals.
Despite its weaknesses in character development and world-building, the series stands as a testament to complex familial relationships, advocating for understanding rather than forgiveness. The drama subtly suggests that some familial wrongs can't be undone, but the key is to attempt living with them.
