The new crime comedy series “Big Mistakes” made its debut on Netflix on April 9 and has swiftly captured the attention of viewers with its engaging storyline. The show delves into the complexities of loyalty and deception as it follows two siblings, Nicky and Morgan, who find themselves enmeshed in the shady underbelly of organised crime following a seemingly simple theft.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/BIG-MISTAKES-040926-04-aebae5c27c4c40e9a9eeccbc498fdf73.jpg)
At the heart of the narrative are Nicky, a dedicated pastor portrayed by Dan Levy, and his sister Morgan, a public school teacher played by Taylor Ortega. Their troubles begin when Morgan casually steals a diamond necklace from a local jeweller, inadvertently drawing them into the dangerous world of crime. The situation escalates when they are confronted by Yusuf (Boran Kuzum), a member of the crime syndicate, who sets a deadline for them to return the necklace to ensure their safety.
The darkly comedic edges of the series intensify as the siblings find themselves tangled in a web of crime that threatens not only their lives but those of their loved ones. The culmination of their chaotic adventures occurs in a dramatic showdown in Miami, where they are taken by their boss, Ivan (Mark Ivanir), alongside his associate Andrei (Ilia Volok). They are tasked with negotiating a deal with the Brazilian cartel that promises to secure a lucrative new drug route, eliminating Ivan’s Italian superiors from the equation. However, the meeting spirals out of control, leading to a bloody massacre that claims the lives of Ivan, Andrei, and the entire cartel, leaving Nicky and Morgan as the only survivors.
The final episode catches up with Nicky and Morgan in the wake of the violent incident. The siblings make a narrow escape from the hotel, compelled to flee when a “cleaning crew” enters with unresolved intentions. Back in New Jersey, amidst the backdrop of their mother Linda’s mayoral campaign, they remain anxious and paranoid about the repercussions of the Miami incident, especially with no news coverage on the situation filtering through.
In a twist of fate, the duo receives ominous calls on a burner phone gifted to them by Ivan. After neglecting to answer, they find themselves kidnapped in the dead of night and taken to Ivan’s luxurious home. Here, they are confronted by the Italians for the first time, and their loyalty is put to a harrowing test. Tension reaches a peak when Yusuf is ordered to shoot Nicky, yet he hesitates, igniting a complex web of alliances and regrets among the players involved.
The suspense doesn’t end there; Linda’s mayoral race also mirrors the show’s themes of loyalty and betrayal. Initially backing rival Tom Donaldson (Darren Goldstein), Annette (Elizabeth Perkins), a wealthy benefactor, switches her support to Linda after scandal breaks involving Tom. Following a heated confrontation where Linda physically defends her family, Annette stands firmly beside her. Ultimately, Linda secures the victory, and a celebratory gathering at Annette’s home sets the stage for further complications — notably the revelation that the stolen necklace is now a supposed engagement gift for Morgan.
As the series unfolds, we witness the complexity of relationships as both siblings navigate their personal lives amidst the chaos. Nicky, initially intent on keeping his romantic relationship with Tareq (played by an undisclosed actor) secret, becomes increasingly open about his love life. However, his entanglement in crime soon complicates things, particularly after a deal leads him back to the very world he tried to escape.
Morgan’s relationship with Max has also been fraught with complications, further exacerbated by her lies about the theft and her involvement in the crime underworld. While their romance encounters a few reinstated highs, the underlying tensions become palpable, leading to a necessary re-evaluation of their engagement and feelings.
By the conclusion of the series, the future for Nicky and Morgan is precarious. The siblings are left grappling with their tumultuous circumstances, which reflect the heavy price of their stolen moment of freedom. Morgan, caught in a web of deception regarding her relationship with Max, must now navigate her feelings amidst an engagement that feels more like a survival tactic than a romance.
“Big Mistakes” cleverly balances elements of humour and suspense, creating a captivating narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The series ultimately poses questions about family, betrayal, and the moral dilemmas faced when the line between right and wrong becomes blurred. As audiences await potential future seasons, the rollercoaster of events leaves a lingering intrigue regarding the fates of Nicky and Morgan, and the lasting impact of their big mistakes.