Whether young, old or in-between, all of these characters resonate in their own distinct ways as The Chi builds both momentum and suspense. This is no small achievement for Waithe, whose first TV series under her direct control is bursting with flavor and humanity in a South Chicago proving ground. The footing is always slippery, but the storytelling remains bracingly sure-footed.

Absorbing and organic from practically the get-go, The Chi will inevitably draw comparisons to "The Wire," the definitive drama about the perils of inner-city life. Yet this richly detailed look at intersecting paths, cutting across generations, quickly carves its own niche, one where tragedy begets tragedy, and vengeance comes with consequences.

The meat of the story, a group of black men caught up in senseless, endemic violence, feels familiar, if with some very good acting, particularly from Mitchell. It’s the stories and the characters on the margins that feel fresh.

[Lena Waithe] gives us a large ensemble of Chicagoans, each well-drawn, and then slowly links them together--on occasion, a little awkwardly--across the first four episodes made available to critics. What at the start might seem like a somewhat random selection of neighborhood folks becomes increasingly intentional. The focus sharpens with each hour.

If its ambitions sometimes outstrip its execution, the drama’s generosity and seriousness of purpose give heft to its most successful storylines.

It is a sometimes frustrating experience in that there’s a lot to like regarding ambition and ensemble, but the writing often strains to connect its multiple threads in a way that feels organic. The show’s examination of the cycle of violence in particular feels forced and doesn’t really get to the truth about the way crime intrinsically feeds on itself.

For a series called The Chi, there’s remarkably little here that lends a sense of specificity or a deeper view into the machinations of Chicago’s South Side--or even where in that expansive area the story is unfolding.

I gave this show a shot and was completely underwhelmed. It was formulaic and stereotypical. Did it bother anyone else that all of the characters were wearing perfect outfits? Expensive, impeccably clean and pressed? It was like the wardrobe department didn't get the memo that the show was being set on Chicago's south side, where money would be tight. The swearing by the young kids seemed forced and unnecessary. Oh did I mention that every student had a brand new back pack? This lack of realism completely distracted me from the plot. One episode was enough for me.

I also really wanted to like this show. But it just doesn't work. At times over acted, most times poorly acted and badly contrived storytelling bring it down. Emotional beats don't land and the characters are wooden and not unique or compelling enough to inspire me to watch more than the first few episodes.