Dispatches From Elsewhere

Do you ever wonder if there is more to life? Could it be that you are just one decision away from unlocking an entirely hidden world of intrigue? These are the questions that the characters in AMC's new anthology series, "Dispatches from Elsewhere," are faced with as they embark on an adventure to shake up their ho-hum lives.

Peter (Jason Segel, best known for his previous television role as Marshall on "How I Met Your Mother") works at a music streaming company and is merely existing, not living – that is until he sees a flyer in his neighborhood that intrigues him. It leads him to the Jejune Institute and a puzzle game that teams him with a trio of other people looking for more out of their lives. They are tasked with solving clues and must pick a side in the rivalry between Jejune and the Elsewhere Society, a group of anarchists working against the cult-like institute.

Over the course of the initial four episodes – each of which pivots the focus to a different member on the team – it is hard to fully get your bearings of what is happening. Is the Jejune Institute evil? Or are the players being hoodwinked into helping the enemy? The greatest feat that the show pulls off is appearing ordinary while also being completely out of left field.

With that said, "Dispatches" isn't as clever or engaging as it should be. The episodes available for review (amounting to almost half of the season) offer no answers. As an audience, we don't even know if any of what we are watching is real. The fear after seeing these is whether Segel, who created, produced, and directed some of the episodes, will be able to successfully stick the landing with so many large concepts at play.

While short on answers, Segel and his collaborators have done well in building the world of the show. Shot on location in Philadelphia, the city definitely plays a role with the characters mostly outside tracking down clues. But they have added an element of wonderment that elevates the fantasy that the characters are attempting to chase down. The filmmakers are keen to use ordinary settings and manipulate them just slightly to achieve this effect, making the audience see regular, everyday things in a brand new way.

Sally Field is a national treasure, and it is only further demonstrated by her portrayal of Janice here. As the elder statesman both onscreen and off, Field is the most captivating of the quartet. She is a soft-spoken, wounded woman looking to add some excitement in her life to distract her from the struggles she faces at home, taking care of her sick husband. It is also through her that the show gets most of its emotional resonance. If she doesn't bring a smile to your face at least once during each episode, you need to re-think your life choices.

Of the characters, Simone is the most intriguing. Played by trans actress Eve Lindley, the character is also damaged. But Lindley is able to astutely maneuver the complex emotions of the character that you are drawn to her and want to see her succeed in the game.

On the other hand, Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000 from the group Outkast) is given the short end of the stick. His episode is the last of the introductory episodes and it feels like Segel doesn't really know what to do with Benjamin's character, Fredwynn. Of the teammates, Fredwynn is the most analytical and is in it to win it. But he's never really fleshed out beyond a few key traits, leaving Benjamin to be wasted by mostly be used for reactionary glances and serving as the wise sage of the group.

"Dispatches from Elsewhere" promises lofty things, trying to show the wonder and magic that is hiding in plain sight. But during the initial few episodes, the creators don't reveal of it to really keep you wanting to come back. Instead, you're lured with a little bit of intrigue and the hope that it will all pay off in the end. That sleight of hand could be its biggest magic trick of all.