Critic Reviews

Because Inside Job immediately establishes its characters, its brand of humor goes way beyond just seeing lizard people struggle with the Keurig machine in the break room. And that’s what will make the series last a few seasons.

It’s emotionally wise and sincere, and completely bonkers in a free associative way that makes you wonder if Dr. Andre was hanging out in the writers’ room. But it absolutely works.

The result is that, outlandish conceit aside, there’s nothing particularly novel about Inside Job, and that goes for its protagonists as well. ... That’s all well and good, although the proceedings are best when eliciting laughs from scenarios rooted in Reagan and Brett’s hang-ups about friendship, parents, acceptance, ambition and the frequently thorny relationship between the present and the past. Moreover, it’s generally funniest when it’s at its most random.

Inside Job still feels hesitant with its reach, opting for a kind of “both sides” acceptance of something so unhealthy and strange. The series’ foray into the world of secrets, lies, and pulled strings of shadow governments should have fun with everything around it, and when it does, it’s fantastic. Using all that potential to mine soap operatic daddy issues in this day and age is as overdone as a false flag claim.

Brett is the only character in the ensemble who really has a fully believable arc and Reagan the only character whose lack of immediate likability is an asset and not a flaw. I found occasional things to laugh at and found affection for some of the storylines late in the season. I never fully signed on and never fully stopped wincing at “Deep State” references, but there are elements to be amused by if you don’t have the same visceral reaction to the pilot.