National Geographic bursts onto the scripted television scene with the anthology series Genius. Too bad its first season never earns that mantle.
National Geographic’s Genius kicks off an anthology series exploring great minds with a season dedicated to Albert Einstein. Focusing on Einstein feels like the right starting point for the series. Most likely, few modern audiences understand his greatness or his contributions to modern science. He occupies space in colleges that that German guy with the funny hair. Genius, developed by producing partners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard with a pilot directed by Howard, earns points for the attempt. Unfortunately, the series feels exceedingly pedestrian, ironic given its subject was anything but.
Genius also earns major points for its two stars: Geoffrey Rush (Shine, The King’s Speech) and Johnny Flynn (Comedy Central’s Brotherhood). Each actor portrays Einstein at crucial points in his life. Rush sets the stage early on as Einstein is first seen having passionate sex with a secretary. Instead of jumping into his theory of relativity, he discusses the impracticality of a monogamous lifestyle. See, he’s relatable after all! He likes sex just as much as we do! See what they did there? Kidding aside, most of Rush’s moments in the pilot deal with Einstein reacting to the rise of the Nazi party. The scenes are difficult and convincing, directed and acted with an uncomfortable reality. The series feels comfortably in the hands of Rush, a likely Emmy nominee.
Flynn, on the other hand, shows the younger, less assured side of Einstein, and his performance registers as more of a surprise. This material marks the actor’s first major role, and he soars with the material. His Einstein becomes a mix of brash confidence and uncomfortable social anxiety. Einstein struggled with parental guidance and approval. He loved deeply and frequently. His ambitions sometimes, surprisingly, outstripped his capabilities. Flynn’s boisterous and charismatic performance goes a long way toward making the figure of Einstein relatable to modern, younger audiences.
Final Verdict
Unfortunately, director Ron Howard and writer Noah Pink fail to deliver the substantial performances in any kind of package befitting a genius. Howard tries to visualize Einstein’s theorizing with minor special effects, but the effect only reminds you how truly pedestrian the rest of the material is. For all the incredible history behind Einstein, the script quickly serves up thematic cliches like this gem: “For a man who is an expert on the universe, you don’t know the first thing about people do you?”
In the end, National Geographic and team created a series that feels cast away from the BBC. Come to Genius for Rush and Flynn’s performances and tolerate the pedestrian storytelling. It’s not a bad series, in the slightest, but it is one that could use a fresher perspective. Here’s hoping Season 2 delivers that promise.
Genius premieres tonight on National Geographic at 9pm ET.
