The Polygamist Review: If telenovelas are your thing, then Netflix’s The Polygamist is here with 22 episodes full of unnecessary drama, family conflict and shocking revelations that will keep you pressing the next button from start to end. Set against a backdrop of wealth and desperation, the series depicts the problems with a patriarchal society with plenty of twists to keep viewers engaged. With a polished visual style to boot, this one’s a great guilty pleasure that will leave you hooked from start to end.
Of course, as telenovelas go, the series falls into familiar soap-opera territory, so get ready to roll your eyes more often than not. Yet, despite all that, the series remains engaging with its emotionally charged and larger-than-life characters who are constantly making bad decisions.
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Who is in the Cast of The Polygamist Netflix?
Gugu Gumede, Sdumo Mtshali, Kwanele Mthethwa, S’thandiwe Kgoroge, Kenneth Nkosi, Celeste Ntuli, Luyanda Zwane, Wonder Ndlovu, Noluthando Shabalala, Vuyo Biyela, Lwazie Keith Tsebesha
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Who are the Directors of The Polygamist Series?
Akin Omotoso, Rolie Nikiwe, Nthabi Tau
The series has 22 episodes, with an average runtime of around 30 minutes, and is adapted from the novel of the same name by Su Nyati.
The Polygamist Review
A CEO’s Double Life Comes at a Cost
At the centre of The Polygamist is the polygamist himself, Jonasi Gamora, whose double life with his wife and mistress turns his life upside down. With the wrath of both women raining down on him, things get more and more complicated as Jonasi is forced to face the consequences of years of emotional manipulation and unfaithfulness.
The series explores the tension in his family and the rift between his wives and mistresses as everyone wants him to consider them his priority. The series explores the themes of polygamy when it’s born out of infidelity and as a way to make the best out of a bad situation. Only – it never gets better. Influenced by power, control and public image, the Gomoras are left destroyed by Jonasi’s selfish and narcissistic actions, leaving destruction in its wake.
As their curated life starts to crumble, the series takes things from one audacity to the next, increasing the thrill and twists and turns that will leave anyone breathless. It’s the shocking developments that will keep viewers on edge, even if it’s hardly possible to believe any of it.
When is the Drama Too Much?
Viewers should not come into this series expecting something mind-bending, although it does get into that category sometimes. While one couldn’t say that this is some memorable experience, The Polygamist is an insane fever dream that just keeps getting crazier the more you watch the episodes. From infidelity to women fighting over one man, to that man simply sleeping with any woman he lays eyes on – it’s a trainwreck that you can’t look away from.
One thing that the series gets right is how entertaining it is. Sure, it’s absolutely nonsensical, but it’s an easy watch because it easily taps into our need to watch trash TV sometimes and presents just that. If you think there’s a taboo subject that the series would never dream of touching, well, it’s not far away. It’s an unhinged showcase of degradation that leaves you frustrated. Viewers will find themselves screaming at the lack of a backbone in most of these characters as Jonasi just does as he pleases with anyone and everyone.
Strong Performances Anchor the Drama
To bring this nonsensical and insane plot home, the actors need to believe in their roles, and everyone in this show is fantastic at their job. Viewers will be compelled to hate Jonasi from the bottom of their hearts because Sdumo Mtshali drives his performance home with how vile and just heinous he makes him out to be. Meanwhile, Gugu Gumede as Joyce is a showcase of strength, although you do scream at her for not leaving in every episode.
Every other actor, including Kwanele Mthethwa, Celeste Ntuli, Kenneth Nkosi, Luyanda Zwane, Wonder Ndlovu and Noluthando Shabalala are fantastic and brings forth the very complicated emotions of their situation to light with ease. It’s easy to root for these characters because of the subject matter, sure, but more so because of the characters.
The Biggest Challenge: Twenty-Two Episodes
With how watchable the series is, 22 episodes are still too long to get the point home. While it’s extremely entertaining because of its audacity, it does tend to overstay its welcome more often than not and repeats the same situations over and over again to drive the point home. While again, the flow and pacing are easy to sit through, no one should have to watch a man being despicable for 11 hours. I mean, in this day and age?! Never!
Drama, Betrayal and Secrets Around Every Corner
The Polygamist seems to know what it’s about and thus keeps every moment filled to the brim with drama. The personal conflicts are aplenty, the audacity of this one man is flowing, and it’s the kind of rage that keeps you binging the 22 episodes like no other. The series thrives on our ability to enjoy messy drama and tension, and delivers just that, bringing shifting alliances and breaking down Jonasi’s carefully crafted house of cards to the ground.
Every episode ends with intrigue and encourages viewers to push forward. Of course, with 22 episodes, some twists are sillier than others, but if you have your expectations in check, this one can be very enjoyable.
Final Verdict
The Polygamist knows what it is and delivers on the messy twists and turns that one might tune in to watch. At 22 episodes, it’s far too long, but the pacing and performances keep everything flowing smoothly, ensuring that there’s not a minute viewers feel bored. In the end, it doesn’t reinvent anything, but it’s the perfect guilty pleasure that reminds us not to try to have our cake and eat it too.
The Polygamist is streaming right now on Netflix. What are your thoughts on the series? Let us know in the comments below!
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