With Netflix’s Kaleidoscope now available for streaming, you may have noticed that it presents audiences with a random viewing order for each episode. According to star Giancarlo Esposito, this keeps viewers on edge and takes them out of their comfort zone.
Speaking to TV Line in a recent interview, Esposito was asked about what he thinks the randomization of episodes adds to the show. For him, he sees it as a way to keep the audience out of their comfort zone and forces them to pay more attention to what’s happening.
“I think it allows [viewers] not to be in their comfort zone,” Esposito said. “When we watch things, we kind of have an idea of how it’ll turn out, how it’ll end, what’s going to happen, so I like the idea of being taken out of your comfort zone, because I think that allows you to be more attentive. You’ve got to watch this thing closely, and I imagine you will, because little things happen which you don’t think might be clues, but are.”
Esposito went on to say that the random order forces people to pay close attention to what’s happening. He also said this wouldn’t be a show that people could just simply leave on and walk away from, particularly due to the nature of how its presented.
“So, I think the randomized order allows your brain to be purposefully scrambled a bit, so that you’re paying more attention,” said Esposito. “This is not a show where you’re going to get up and wash the dishes, do other things while you’re watching it. There’s so much to watch.”
“Spanning 25 years, it follows a crew of masterful thieves and their attempt to crack a seemingly unbreakable vault for the biggest payday in history,” reads the synopsis. “Guarded by the world’s most powerful corporate security team and with law enforcement on the case, every episode reveals a piece of an elaborate puzzle of corruption, greed, vengeance, scheming, loyalties, and betrayals. How did the crew of thieves plan it? Who gets away with it? Who can be trusted?”
Kaleidoscope (formerly titled Jigsaw) is created and executive produced by Eric Garcia, who is also set as the showrunner. It is loosely inspired by the real-life story of when 70 billion dollars in bonds went missing in downtown Manhattan during Hurricane Sandy. The series consists of eight episodes spanning from 24 years before the heist to six months after.
The series stars Giancarlo Esposito as Leo Pop, Paz Vega as Ava Mercer, Rufus Sewell as Roger Salas, Tati Gabrielle as Hannah Kim, Peter Mark Kendall as Stan Loomis, Rosaline Elbay as Judy Goodwin, Jai Courtney as Bob Goodwin, and Niousha Noor as Nazan Abassi.
