Some reveals were jaw-dropping, and that’s not an overexaggeration. There are a ton of unanswered questions and mysteries. Ultimately, the ending of season 1 primes us for a second season, and Peacock would be foolish not to renew Ponies because they’ve created a unique and utterly irresistible spy show.

The platonic chemistry between Clarke and Richardson is the glue that binds the whole enterprise together.

Their [Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson's] chemistry, and the absurdity of their situation, propels the story over any early “wait, what?” bumps and confusing tonal shifts into an increasingly propulsive and cohesive spy drama, with plenty of “trust no one” twists and turns, and the kind of period detail that would make “Mad Men” proud.

It’s a wildly entertaining rollercoaster that will have you rooting for the complex characters, questioning who you can trust, and reexamining your own biases in a way that doesn’t feel derivative.

Peacock delivers a sharp, genuinely fun spy series that feels intimate even at its most dangerous and one that lingers well after the credits roll.

A well-made and entertaining period espionage show that, despite the numerous broad strokes it fires, hits its target with solid, entertaining precision.

Ponies, starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, has moments of dazzle. But with neither enough depth to leave a lasting impression nor enough entertainment to make up for that, the drama winds up little more than a forgettable distraction.