Peacock’s new series “MIA” can be called “Miami Vice: The Reversal.”
This nine-episode revenge saga is equal parts crime and late-night soap about two families clashing and the destruction that follows. However, it depends on the duo of Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela) and Lovely (Brittany Adebumola), and the seemingly predestined relationship that reinvigorates Etta after the tragedy of the tragedy.
Created and produced by Bill Dubuque (“Ozark”), with Karen Campbell (“Dexter”) as producer and executive producer, and Alethea Jones (“High Potential”), and executive producer/director, the series stars Gisela, Cary Elwes, Danay Garcia, Adebumola, Dylan Jackson, Alberto Celasco and Milan Elwes giving his best quirky detective’ Florida Man’.
“MIA” gives us a first season that begins and ends with family. While in the Florida Keys, we meet Tiger Jonzes, a big, loving mixed breed chick who looks decent on the outside, but secretly uses the company’s drugs. That wagon is another family affair, led by the legendary Edward James Olmos. Of course, it wouldn’t be a crime drama dripping with revenge if the criminals played it cool.
The series opens with action set pieces: The first is a splashy, breakneck chase; the second is a huge explosion of bullets and fire. It’s in the action where the series does its best work during its entire run. Fight scenes, and desperation breeds creativity. Early family dynamics are also involved. The characters continue to work well together, while shocks and setbacks appear throughout.
Where did I lose the thread? Cultural symbols. They are strange. I don’t mean to single out Adebumola—she’s an engaging actor who makes you believe in Etta’s struggles. But is his accent meant to be vaguely French-Caribbean, or perhaps Haitian? I’m just not sure. That’s not a breaking point, but it’s disturbing.
“MIA” is divided into two main lines with several rivers supplying each fuel. We have Etta and her thriving underground network of outsiders, and the three Rojas brothers as they struggle to control the legal and illegal sides of their business.
Standouts include Gisela, Garcia, and Guerra, with nods to Jackson and Adebumola—despite the accent. However, the storytelling feels out of sync with the tone. I’m a fan of genre mashups, or even genre-defying stories, but Etta’s nightlife going up against the ‘super villain’ of the Rojas family’s dirty dealings doesn’t sit well. It is as if they exist in different countries.
The script does a good job of establishing Etta as special, reckless, and compassionate. It also supports both sides of the thriller equation in human height and safety. But this particular combination of elements doesn’t add up to much, and makes you feel very small for these characters and their struggles.
If you’re looking for a violent Florida revenge saga with its bad habits and charm up front, and a cliffhanger to top it off, give it a try. All I can say is, it’s not for me anymore.
The full season was screened for review. All episodes will air on May 7th on Peacock.
