TV Show Review: Snowfall
By Donnell Solomon
TV-MA
“Snowfall,” a crime series on Hulu, is based off of the crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angelas in the ‘80s. This show follows the life and choices of Franklin Saint. Throughout the show, Saint rises in power within the cocaine business in L.A. “Snowfall” incorporates the sacrifices Saint makes and what he goes through by living the life of crime. Despite Saint being a drug dealer, he is the protagonist in the show.
Spoiler Alert
The audience wants to root for Saint because the show portrays the CIA as being the true reason why the drug epidemic existed. The fault of the CIA is portrayed by the CIA agent Teddy (who is involved with Saint and other players in the game). Teddy runs an operation off the books to bring cocaine into the United States, shipping money and guns out to support the wars down south. Despite Snowfall being mainly about Franklin Saint, the show creates a deep, complicated story by representing the backstory and hardships of each character.
In Snowfall, Saint is not the only character that the audience knows really well. All of the characters in the show are well established because the audience is shown each character’s story line and how they are developed throughout the show. Every character is given flaws that cause issues in the drug business.
Each episode includes a variety of emotions amongst the characters. The constant turmoil throughout the show makes it seem as though it is never ending, representing the life of a drug dealer in the ‘80s. Whether it’s the police, rival gangs or more, there are always things to look out for as a drug dealer.
“Snowfall” is an intriguing, Oscar nominated show that emphasizes the government’s role in the crack cocaine epidemic. It shows a different side to the epidemic and portrays how it developed and effected people as a result.
