It is altogether masterly. And if you don’t have room to love it while you bow down before its technical and dramatic proficiency, that’s fine. As I say – give yourself time to digest it. We’re not used to fare this rich. The love will come.

The mystery itself isn’t what’s notable about “Lady in the Lake.” It’s the characters, and the communities they populate. .... Cross’ performance is patient, never showy, but draws you in throughout. But it’s Portman and, to a lesser extent, Ingram who carry the series.

Every episode of “Lady in the Lake” is brimming with intrigue and fresh revelations and scenes of startling and sometimes violent impact. Trust me when I say you’re better off watching it one week at a time.

Moments of social commentary provide the core of Lady in the Lake, but the series is too cluttered with ancillary characters and tenuous tangents for any of it to land with the force intended.

The Apple TV+ “Lady in the Lake” is so busy sending messages it loses its grip on what might have been a first-rate crime story.

Throughout, Har’el does not succeed in reconciling her noirish period mystery with her elaborate, musical-style social-justice fable. Her “Lady in the Lake” is a shiny, attractive bauble, but its artificiality wears you down.

Lady In The Lake is a pretentious mess unconcerned about its mystery or the inquisition into it, let alone cultivating its two leads.