Peacock 2023 Winter Programming Preview: ‘Poker Face’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There was a time, where the murder mystery was a vastly different type of show on television. For instance, you would rarely see technology be used to solve the crime in question, it was all about the clues and the intelligence of the gumshoe. Speaking of the investigator, they were also a different type of character back then. They were quirky yes, but not in the way we see them now. Since these days they have a very special and unique skill set that makes them adept to solving crimes or they have a certain sorrow behind their eyes, the kind that informs us that pain drove them into law enforcement in the hopes of healing. No instead, those old school gumshoes were just… different. They were people that saw the world in a unique light and were able to observe the little things that everyone else missed.
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Which were quirks that were injected into supremely unique stories that were designed to use the character’s gifts to their full potential so they could cleverly solve the case and wow us along the way. But alas, it’s been ages since we’ve seen that kind of story on the airwaves and with the grittier and edgier mystery ruling the day, it truly seemed as though that old school type of mystery storytelling was gone forever. But leave it to Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne to say no to that reality. For next week will see their new mystery series, Poker Face, debut on Peacock. A series that works to bring those classic crime tales back to life, and well… what they’ve brought to the table is so wondrous and so special… that we absolutely felt the need to preview this series in advance, in a spoiler-free manner of course. Because one needs to experience the full majesty of this series, firsthand.

But what we can talk about today, is the sheer fact that Poker Face is a perfect revitalization of the old school murder mystery. A feat that it accomplishes courtesy of several key elements. For instance, this is a crime-of-the-week style show. Which was a staple back when those shows aired and that gives the lead character, Charlie Cale, something new and exciting to dive into and solve with her special gift. In fact, that special gift is the other key element that brings the past into the present. Since Charlie is an individual that can immediately tell when someone is lying to her, giving her unique insight into the moment and her desire to do right in the world, prompts her to dig further. Which makes her a modern-day Kojak or Columbo really, and the wonder of this story doesn’t end there. Because it also looks and feels like a classic 70s murder mystery. Courtesy of some wonderful cinematography that features that healthy 70s glow. 

Which is more related to some creative choices from the show’s Creator/Executive Producer/Lead Director Rian Johnson, and it should be noted he is making his true television debut here. Granted, yes, he’s directed episodes of television before, since he handled directorial duties on Breaking Bad here and there, but here… this is Rian overseeing the entire process, including a writer’s room. Something that ignited something special within Rian, as he informed reporters at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour this week, and that clearly brought forth a labor of true love. Something that motivated Natasha Lyonne to help shepherd this show to the airwaves, and star in it, and it also motivated Benjamin Bratt and so many others to do what needed to be done to join this series and partake in its wonder and truly… their decision was a wise one to say the least.

Because this series… is special. It draws you in and captivates you from beginning to end. Thanks to its unique mysteries that ignite one’s imagination and feel as though they could really take place in our everyday world and the best news of all, is that we don’t have to wait all that much longer to enjoy the majesty of this revitalization of a type of story that laid the groundwork for the genre’s current popularity. For Poker Face will make its debut on Peacock next Thursday, January 26, 2023, with a four episode premiere no less, and we here at NTG hope you give it a look and join us back here for more coverage. As we break down and savor every wondrous moment of a series that is refreshing and original, and a whole lot of fun.

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Notable Quotables from the ‘Poker Face’ TCA Panel

​Rian Johnson (Creator/Executive Producer) Regarding His First-Time Experiences in Crafting a Television Show
“I honestly had a blast. I also loved the pace of it. I loved that, with each episode, we're in a different environment. It's a whole new cast.  It's like making 10 little movies. The fact that every three weeks, we were starting work on a new movie, it felt a little bit like ‑‑ whereas usually I'm used to doing the same one for several years. So, I'm a little worried that I've now, like, been amped up to the point where I'm going to need this pace of storytelling in my life. I think my producer is worried as well.”
 
Natasha Lyonne (Executive Producer/Charlie Cale) Regarding the Purity of Charlie Cale
“… sort of the thing I love so much about playing her, is she sort of really cares about the truth ultimately, which is something I identify with a great deal, and sort of looking out for the little guy.  And when she sees sort of something corrupt, it's kind of like a nose for integrity and sort of righting a wrong, especially if the type of person that's been misimprisoned, let's say, is somebody that her heart is with. So I think it's a lot of sort of nuanced fun games within all that, rather than just the conceited self.”
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Benjamin Bratt Regarding the Opportunity to Work with Rian Johnson
“… when you get a phone call from Rian Johnson, it's an automatic yes. He is now one of my sort of handful of whenever/wherever guys.  He just has to name the when and the where, and I'll be there.”