X
- 2017
- TV-MA
- SyFy
- 2017
- TV-MA
- SyFy
Summary Nick Sax (Christopher Meloni) is a former-cop-turned-hit-man who meets an imaginary blue-winged horse named Happy (Patton Osw) after a hit job goes wrong in this series based on the graphic novel of the same name by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson.
- 2017
- TV-MA
- SyFy
- 2017
- TV-MA
- SyFy
Happy!
Season 1 Premiere: Dec 6, 2017
65
7.8
Where to Watch
Summary Nick Sax (Christopher Meloni) is a former-cop-turned-hit-man who meets an imaginary blue-winged horse named Happy (Patton Osw) after a hit job goes wrong in this series based on the graphic novel of the same name by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson.
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
65
61% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
39% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
65
61% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
39% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
That quest for the extreme can sometimes feel like a distraction from the attempts at real emotional storytelling, but when it all comes together, it’s a whole lot of fun.
At best, Happy! is flying toward something bigger than what it finds in these first two episodes; a point or a connection or an original conceit beyond the entertainingly over-the-top nature of its core story. At worst, it’s just throwing a bunch of blood at the wall and hoping the shock is what sticks. Either way, it will be fun to see how crazy the Syfy series can get before it blows its top.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 160 User Ratings
7.8
81% Positive
130 Ratings
130 Ratings
11% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
8% Negative
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 160 User Ratings
7.8
81% Positive
130 Ratings
130 Ratings
11% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
8% Negative
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
This show is amazing! I was shocked to see it on syfy, it seems more like a premium channel type of show. It is wild. The ride can be a bit disturbing, and intentionally so. It also can be a LOT of fun. The direction on this show is amazing. This show is NOT for the faint of heart. If you love action, and general debauchary, all mixed with a dark fantasy element. I heard it's canceled and I hope they get renewed somewhere.
Report
When all of its parts are working in unison, Happy! is a stylish mix of violence and unhinged humor, which, while not exactly a fresh concept, still manages to be engrossing.
As a comedy or even an action series, Happy! is far from perfect. But if you’re up for venturing down a dark path where the only one seemingly capable of the titular emotion is someone’s imaginary friend, it still might make you smile.
Meloni’s performance and the strength of the source material will keep the show afloat for interested viewers. But based on the first two episodes, it’s an acquired, specific taste.
At one extreme, you want Santa dead. At the other, it can get to be ho ho hum in a hurry.
Happy! has a cartoonish sensibility more suited to drawings than live action. The more it strains to be edgy and shocking, the more laughable it becomes.
Whenever you mix different things, whether they be substances, foods, themes or just about anything else, there's only a couple possible outcomes. You love it, hate it, or meh - somewhere in between. And of course, your reaction towards a certain mixture is subjective. Think about the pineapple on pizza controversy. Personally - and I'm sure this will ruin my career before it even begins - I do like pineapple pizza. I may have never been to Polynesia, but you can serve me up some Hawaiian slices anytime. There, I said it. Now, don't worry, I do have a point I'm getting to and not just using this post to share my confessions of sinful pineapple desire.
Happy! is a pineapple pizza. How? Well, it's a metaphor. Probably a terrible one, but not as terrible as people who have no taste buds and hate on pineapple pizza. Oh snap!
Jokes aside, Happy! is a unique mixture of seemingly opposing flavors that may not please everyone. That's the similarity. It contrasts the dark, gritty nature of the criminal underworld with a reality TV spoof of Desperate Housewives. Action scenes showcase baddies getting their brains blown out to the tune of Feliz Navidad. The death wish touting, inebriated, ex-cop turned hitman protagonist has a flying, blue unicorn with a swear jar as a partner. "A flying, blue unicorn?", you ask. Yep, a flying, blue unicorn whose name is Happy. Now you see where the show gets the name from since the show itself is anything but happy.
Speaking of, I should tell you more about the actual show. As you may have gleaned, the protagonist, Nick Sax, is an ex-cop turned hitman that stumbles into some major mafia related business. Meanwhile, a young girl, Hailey, is kidnapped by a very naughty Santa Claus and sends her imaginary friend, Happy, to go find help. That's how Nick and Happy meet and when the joyride begins. Nick questions his sanity, Happy sings and dances, and at one point a creepy dude named Smoothie threatens to slice Nick's genitals into salami pieces. I'll never be able to eat salami again.
Situations like that provide the comedic relief during episodes which desperately need to give a few laughs to balance out how dark they can get. There's some funny one liners or comebacks, but for most of the humor the show relies more on subtle comedy like irony or satire, but also enjoys to toss in shock value. This can lead to a few of the punchlines being predictable especially for those experienced with tropes of the genre, but Happy helps to keep you guessing or distracted. Without him, you might be able to see exactly what's coming, but when there's a cartoon zipping around the room it can cause you to lower your guard and be unprepared for how black the humor can be or how depressing some moments are.
These contrasts are skillfully woven throughout the season and for me proves a surprisingly enjoyable mixture, but just like pineapple pizza, it won't be for everyone. If you're like me and don't mind testing out combinations or wearing mismatched socks then I'd recommend Happy!, but if you're the type that doesn't like their food touching then you should stay away and go watch Sherlock or My Little Pony, whatever strokes your folks.
Report
Production Company:
- Littleton Road Productions
- Original Film
- Syfy
- Universal Cable Productions
Initial Release Date: Dec 6, 2017
Number of seasons: 2 Seasons
Rating: TV-MA
Awards
Royal Television Society, UK
• 1 Nomination
