This is probably the ONLY positive review I’ll ever make. As you have probably known I’ve reviewed season 2…twice, and have bashed every chance I had. It truly felt like a disappointing follow up season. However, ever since I made that re-review of season 2 I’ve been wanting to review the first season, AKA the one that had actually competent writing behind it. In this review, I’ll be detailing why I enjoyed season 1, so let's get to the review!
Chapter 1: It’s another story-driven AB tv series
IDK about you, but ever since AB stella ended in 2016, I’ve been wanting more story-driven AB tv series. I LOVED AB stella because it proved that making an AB series story-driven while keeping the charm that the AB brand had was possible! So when I saw that On the Run was a story-driven AB tv series like AB stella, I was incredibly happy. I could honestly make a full review of AB stella explaining why I LOVED that series, but I think i've said enough.
Chapter 2: It sets itself apart from other AB tv shows
On the Run has a fairly unique concept and that is the birds are set in our world, and must find a way to get to the phone again. I love how the series parodies AB plush videos, this is one of the few times where the low-budget WORKED imo. It also has voice acting….and well its not great but it does do a good job of giving the vibe you're watching an AB plush vid.
Chapter 3: The comedy
The comedy is good….not much to say. The jokes don’t drag on for too long and the series knows when it’s the appropriate time to crack a joke.
Chapter 4: Pacing
Season 1 has some great pacing and it almost never feels rushed. This is because the skits don't stop the story, but instead move it along so it never feels like filler. Season 1 handled its skits so well to the point where I wondered how the hell the writers forgot about this in season 2. Season 1 keeps the entertainment value of it’s skits while also making them move the story along and not just be filler. This is not true with some of the skits tho (Like I think they could have cut some stuff in the second half of season 1 but the filler is not as bad as season 2) but most of the skits move the story along at a good pace.
Chapter 5: Foreshadowing and pay-off
Since season 1 had an actual plan behind it unlike season 2 which just made up it’s story as it went along, the series does a great job with foreshadowing future episodes. Like there is this person with a net, trying to catch the birds. We don’t know who this guy is but it gets payed off at the end of the season, where it is revealed that person was that girls mother, who they were looking for in the first place. And they also foreshadow the pigs avrile in the finale in a previous episode. And all these twists fit perfectly within the narrative unlike Chuck being a villain out of nowhere like in season 2 (God I hate that season…)
Chapter 6: Conclusion
Plenty of people dislike on the run, both season 1&2 and I don't really see why. I agree with the people who dislike season 2, as it is a narrative disaster in every way, but I enjoyed season 1 quit a bit. Its not better than AB stella but I personally think its pretty good an you should give a try
Score:
8/10