Our frustration with so-called "elevated horror" and television tripe like American Horror Story made us really tentative toward even giving this series a try. Luckily, we overcame our fears of it being pablum and discovered something truly unsettling. The beauty of Channel Zero is that each season is short - six episodes with the same cast - and only shares thematic elements with one another. So far, the three seasons have explored the dangers of clinging too strongly to the past and whether your blood kin or adopted network of friends makes for the healthier family unit. Oh yeah - they also share the simple fact that the world as we know it is not the reality that actually exists.The first season, Candle Cove, is based on a creepypasta written by Kris Straub. The title refers to a TV series that could only be seen by certain children while others would only see static. The more the series was watched, the more it began intruding into the real world. As the children grew up, they wondered if they were the only ones who knew about Candle Cove, like the episode that just consisted of the main characters screaming in fear.Within the show, famous child psychologist Mike Painter (Paul Schneider, Parks and Recreation) has been having intense nightmares about the show, which may have only lasted for two months, but ended in the abduction and murder of several of his brother and several of their friends. Now that he's returned to Iron Hill, the show has started attempting to return. And oh yeah - there's a creature called the Tooth Child that is a sentient being made completely of he teeth that have been sacrificed by possessed children.That's what I meant when I said that this is an unsettling show. It's surreal at turns, but it's not afraid to be ominous and doom-laden with little to no escape valve. Even the cute puppets of the show become brutal when the Jawbone the pirate crosses over into the real world. And as the children of the town become more malevolent, Mike's sanity - already frayed a psychotic break - slips and the children he grew up with begin to suspect that he's behind the madness that has returned to their town.That said - I've heard talk that people think the performances weren't great for the first season. I disagree - it never took me out of the show. And I absolutely adored the art direction, as the show within a show reminds me of the Krofft shows of my youth.I don't want to reveal much more. This is too delicious to spoil. The reveal of the true killer - and true evil - of the story surprised me. We've been on board for Channel Zero for every season now, buying the box sets and watching them in a day or less. Now, Shudder has picked up the entire series, playing one season each month for the next few months. It's exciting that a bigger audience can now see this show and I'm excited to discuss each season!

This series will satisfy fans of BBC style shows where each season delivers a separate and compete thought (anthology). I know this to be a deterrent for some viewers. I personally love this style of television. It does not cater to the shock scares or gore for the most part. Great production value for the SYFY network and acting is above par for their norm! As a die hard horror fan, I STRONGLY recommend!

Pros: original, genuinely creepy, strong supporting cast, good production values, a dramatic step up from normal SyFy fare. Cons: pacing, continuity, logic, lead actor and actress are stilted and wooden, dialog is sophomoric, obvious gaps in dialog, poor performances from/direction for the child actors.

*** This review may contain spoilers ***I loved this creepy pasta story. Loved the dark feel of the entire series. The puppets were all scary in their own way. I don't know why, but the character of the little girl with the red hair and blue head scarf was the creepiest one for me! Loved all the actors in this, wish we could have seen more of the beginning when all the adults were kids rather than focus on adult Mike dealing with his past. Luca Villacis did a great job playing twins, you almost believe there are two of him.Finally, the only reason I could not give this series a 10/10 is because it was TOO SHORT! Why only 6 episodes? At 6 episodes, we're just starting to get emotionally invested. Regardless, great show by all, great job Nick Antosca.