This year has already brought some exciting shows to screens around the world, and the Apple TV original series “Prime Target” is the latest among them. With a high dosage of mystery and an abundance of unanswered questions, “Prime Target” hooks audiences in just its first two episodes.
The series opens in Iraq, where an explosion reveals a historical library. Quickly, the episode pivots to the University of Cambridge, where it follows Edward Brooks (Leo Woodall, “One Day”), a mathematician working on prime-number research. When Ed sees photos of the ruins beneath the Iraqi city, he believes inscriptions on its walls are related to his study. Shortly after this discovery, his professor and mentor is found murdered. Following his death, a United States secret agent who was monitoring Ed’s research is also killed. After only two episodes, many questions remain: Are the murderers working as a part of an organization? If so, which one, and why do they not want Ed’s research to be developed?
If you aren’t interested in mathematics or equations (you’re not alone), the show might seem dull at first. But the combination of murder mystery, mathematics and British and Iraqi culture turns the plot into an action thriller, something even the mathematically averse will enjoy. Along with this, the cliffhangers that we’re left with, despite their frustrating nature, are all-consuming. There is simply no explanation of what is occurring to these people in the opening episodes. That is what the plot of the season premier gets right — it hooks its viewer.
“Prime Target” efficiently introduces interesting characters and what we know will be the meat of the show going forward, and yet, we are still left with much suspense.
The cinematography is the second most impressive aspect of season one. The directors make an obvious effort to use the lighting to convey the gravity of the scenes. When Ed discovers the potential inscriptions related to his prime number research, he is set in his dimly lit dorm room, demonstrating the secrecy of the scene. Coupled with the sound, this is an effective use of the medium to build tension.
The most impressive aspect of season one, however, is the sound mixing and the cinematography. The music is evocative of period piece soundtracks such as “Pride and Prejudice.” It floats through scenes in a classical and whimsical manner, complemented by the sounds of action. During an early morning on campus, Ed can be seen riding his bike to work with classical music playing in the background. His bicycle can be heard grazing over gravel, creating a beautifully designed soundscape. As he rides his bike, the main soundtrack crescendos and decrescendos, causing the viewer to pause and wonder what is going to happen next. Normally, within the mystery genre, crescendos are used to build up to the climax of a scene, whether someone is about to die or people are uncovering the answers they’ve been looking for. In “Prime Target” these crescendos are used in somewhat unwarranted places. It’s almost as if the viewer is left to sit waiting for something to happen but then it just … doesn’t. It’s this auditory stimulation that evokes a sense of suspense in the viewer, especially as the plot of the show has given much to the audience to question.
While the opening episodes of the series are confusing in nature, the end of episode two leaves the viewer eager for more. Who will die next? Is Ed’s theory on the importance of prime numbers viable, and does that ancient library truly exist? The rest is to be answered in the remaining episodes of season one. If you’re interested in mathematics, ancient relics and murder mysteries, this show is sure to suck you in.
Daily Arts Writer Eliza Shearing can be reached at elizamae@umich.edu.
The post ‘Prime Target’ leaves you on the edge of your seat appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
Leave a Reply