Kingdom: Season 1

Don't read what others are saying about this work of art...just BUY it! I'm only through the first three episodes and ready to BUY season 2 as soon as it's available. No matter if you are gay, straight, or whatever, this is excellent story line, character development, plot, and acting, are all rolled into one solid production. However, if you are a gay man like me you too will be "piqued" by the grit, TESTOSTERONE, beauty of the male body, and "balls!" Enjoy the ride...you won't be teased or taunted, but solely entertained again and again. I paid for my copy and was not and has NEVER been offered a gift copy to review anything.

This is a fantastic series with a terrific ensemble cast that explores the inner workings of the MMA world, the many layers that flesh out each of its diverse fighters, and their relationships with family, lovers and potential enemies living on the outskirts. I would like to point out that I know almost nothing about MMA. I wanted to see this series because it stars Frank Grillo (as Alvey Kulina), who has a long list of great films under his belt that includes extensive stunt work, and I am a longtime fan of Jonathan Tucker (as Jay Kulina). Jon is one of a handful of actors who can explain a character with an extreme amount of emotional depth, adding subtle traits and quirky mannerisms that lead you to believe you are not watching a character at all, but a real person who keeps just as much hidden as he displays. I purchased both seasons without ever seeing a single episode, and I'm very glad that I did. It is easily one of the best modern series available. This series is shot in a quasi-documentary style way that doesn't feel pretentious. It gives the viewer an inside look into what is quickly established as a very close-knit community of highly skilled professional fighters. This is a group that doesn't allow outsiders within their walls until some level of trust has been established, which is not easily achieved. The dialogue of the series is also delivered with a strong sense of naturalism. People say things as they're walking away, one character cuts another off mid-sentence, jokes are sometimes said awkwardly and even stupid things are said at times in a did-I-just-say-that sense. The reason I say the series is quasi-documentary is that it often doesn't feel like the cameras are even there and we're simply watching things play out as a silent third-party observer. The lighting is very well done and a lot of the scenes are shot in real areas around California. The set design for the areas also brings in a lot of realism. Character's homes have varying degrees of clutter and their gym has a clean fighting cage and equipment but rusty bathroom sinks, explaining without words where the character's priorities lie and how much time they contribute to their craft. What is also great about this series is that it showcases a number of fighters who are striving for the same goal (establishing themselves at the top of their respective line of work), but they are vastly different in their path to reach it. The only critique I have for the series is that there was only one female fighter showcased, and I would have liked to have seen how other female fighters walked the path to their goal. Each character takes you into their story in ways that you don't expect. Scenes don't feel overly dramatic and not everything is revealed in one take. Characters are established slowly over time and many elements of their backstory are delivered in surprising moments that are both cleverly shot and memorably layered. Something that sets this series apart from the rest is that it does not forget its character traits over time. A character makes a tough decision in the first few episodes and they aren't over and done with it by episode seven. Many of the problems presented are real life issues and longtime coping mechanisms that plague some characters throughout the series. It feels as though the characters are often discovering new things about themselves they didn't know before, and they are learning along with us as they go along. This is a series about MMA fighters and there are plenty of fight scenes, but the characters are put in positions where they can't always utilize their fists. This makes for a very compelling and layered story where pitfalls and mistakes can still happen to these highly athletic and skilled individuals regardless of their tireless training. They translate their pain to fight hard against an opponent, while some of it seeps out into their relationships and sense of self, sometimes causing distortions that make it difficult for them to reach the right balance. Thought some of the fighters are trying to make up for past mistakes, those mistakes at times reemerge to remind the viewer that healing is a long process and there are some things about a person that may never be completely changed. There are also a number of characters who are not fighters, but they have their own compelling stories that make for great television. The relationships between these characters and the fighters are at times surprising and other times unsettling, but once the bond is established, it is clear that the fighters are loyal to those they choose to let in, sometimes to a fault. Some of the non fighting characters appear for brief periods of time, but their presence continually contributes to the overall story instead of feeling like a spin-off that fills the runtime and leads nowhere. I would highly recommend this series for people who are MMA fans, as well as people who enjoy a series with well established characters that develop over time and a strong story with relatable dialogue. This series is funny at times while being brutally honest and exposes all its flaws along with its features. This is the kind of series that some viewers may find offensive because it doesn't hold back when touching upon sensitive subjects, but this is what I like most about it. I believe that this world is as near to the real thing as it gets.

That was exciting and heartwarming.It amazingly blends professional sport and family drama.Each characters has own idiosyncrasy.They are not perfect persons.That's why they give a huge impression to you.They are distressed, sometimes make huge mistake.That's why I'm moved by their human touch.It includes the mind and way of life in tactics and techniques, at the same time, for fighters during battle. If you are not interest in MMA,you'll definitely become like it after you watched. I sincerely hope it will be available in Japan.

I am really surprised to like this series. I do not watch MMA as I find it a bit too brutal. Yet I was drawn into this because the acting and story line are great. The personal struggles of the characters are universal and their motivations palpable. I particularly like Jonathon Tucker as Jay. A very emotional performance with real heart. I hope they do justice to the character Nate in Season 2. Its about time there were a realistic gay character living in the straight world portrayed on film.

Top notch entertainment and a dream come true! Nick Jonas as a gay boxer? WHAT??? Can you say hit me baby? All puns aside, this is a wonderful series and can't wait for the next season to come out (no pun intended) so I can snap that up. Really good story line, acting, and sexy hunky men!

Already watched over twice. Especially was filmed right by my home

This is a great series showing the hard gritty underside of the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. The actors are excellent and this series is great entertaining drama. Great eye candy for women and gay men. Great action for straight men.

Great