Little Fires Everywhere: Season 1

At just eight episodes, it doesn't demand a huge commitment, and while it's highly bingeable, it has plenty of real substance, too. Each episode ends so enticingly poised that it's hard not to let the next one play.

It's written and directed with a sure touch.

Lapses into flatness whenever it possibly can, and it is always very ready to tell you exactly who is right and who is wrong in any given situation. In the end, it all ends up feeling exhausting.

Its exploration of why women often feel more alienated from than connected to one another is far from lean-in aspirational, but at least it's honest.

“Little Fires Everywhere” lands with confidence between the allure of prestige streaming television and a Shonda Rhimes-like propensity for soap suds. Flaws are few, but crucial. Episodes dawdle and dabble too long in too many convoluted story lines.

"Little Fires Everywhere" is the type of celebrity book club-inspired drama – we're talking about Witherspoon's book club, in this case – built to be a thirst trap for "Big Little Lies" addicts.

Once Little Fires kicks into gear after the first few episodes, it’s a joy to see these two fiercely talented actors face off, as the mothers’ conflict unfurls a variety of ideas about what it means to raise children.

Hulu's sharp, soapy, and emotionally intense limited series is more than your standard suburban whodunit.