Netflix’s Kaleidoscope - Messy, Experimental but worthwhile

Netflix has yet again decided to challenge the known laws of storytelling with its new limited series, ‘Kaleidoscope’. First it was Bandersnatch, with its interactive story and multitude of viewer-dependent endings, now it's a series of eight completely randomised episodes. According to Netflix, there are over 40,000 different orders the show can be watched in, each one supposedly providing the viewer with a unique experience.

In a story spanning nearly 25 years we follow Leo Pap, a disgraced heist-man assembling the ultimate team of colourful and untrustworthy characters to pull off one last job, a job that could potentially set them all up for life.

The plan is to intercept and secure $7bn worth of bearer bonds trapped in a maximum security vault. The bonds belong to a trio of eccentric euro bankers accurately named ‘The Triplets’, but ultimately the heist is just as much an effort to disgrace and frame head of security, Roger Salas, Leo’s apprentice turned nemesis. The ensemble crew is made up of various safecrackers, get-away drivers and handymen that all play an integral part in Leo’s enigmatic past, and in a conclusion of intricate puzzles, high-stake sleuthing and betrayal, the heist will leave only one pair on top.

The concept of the show, although intriguing, is also one of its major drawbacks. As every episode is expected to be both an introduction and a mid-season episode, they can quickly become formulaic: almost every episode starts with a nonsense monologue from ‘Leo’ about ‘trust’ and ‘partners’ and ‘the plan’ before beginning the cycle of new characters, their relevance to the ongoing heist and their role in Leo's past. There are a few standout episodes that divert attention to side characters outside of the main gang, however, due to the randomised order of the show there is every risk for these episodes to be layered back to back resulting in a remaining crawl to the show's end.

Upon finishing Kaleidoscope for a second time and finally ironing out the kinks of the story I would definitely say it’s worth watching, however, its main draw can be a make or break for many viewers so I would recommend watching in the order: “Violet,” “Green,” “Yellow,” “Orange,” “Blue,” “White,” “Red,” “Pink.” It may defeat the purpose of a randomised experience and even place the heist finále before the end, however, it also provides a much easier and enjoyable experience.