Bar Karma
Bar Karma is the first online community-developed network television series. Online users pitch their own ideas for scenes and twists online, using a tool designed by Will Wright called the Storymaker. Some are eventually chosen by the production staff, and are utilized to help create a new episode every week. The main plot revolves around a bar known as "Bar Karma", a bar that resides someplace in between parallel timelines. Up until now, the typical structure of the shows consists of a patron accidentally walking into or being transported to the bar, where they are shown the consequences of their current life actions, and the potential outcomes for their behavior and choices. This, ultimately, leads to a karmic dilemma, and forces the patron to make a life-altering choice. In the first episode, Doug Jones suddenly walks into the bar after a one-night stand. He is confused, and thinks that he accidentally fell asleep and is dreaming. When he finally realizes that this is some strange form of reality, James and Dayna explain to him why he is in the bar, and is given the chance to alter his fate, and the course of "Bar Karma."
Insights
Plot Summary
Bar Karma is an anthology series where patrons of a mysterious bar find their past deeds manifesting in unexpected ways. Each episode features different characters who are served drinks that alter their reality, forcing them to confront the consequences of their actions and make difficult moral choices. The bar itself acts as a karmic nexus, a place where debts are settled and fates are decided.
Critical Reception
Bar Karma garnered mixed to positive reviews, with many critics appreciating its unique premise and moral exploration. However, some found the execution inconsistent, and the anthology format meant that the quality varied significantly from episode to episode. Audience reception was somewhat divided, with a niche following drawn to its philosophical undertones.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its innovative concept exploring karma and consequence.
- Noted for its thought-provoking ethical dilemmas presented in each episode.
- Criticized for occasional uneven storytelling and inconsistent episode quality.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available often highlight the show's intriguing premise and its ability to provoke thought about personal responsibility and morality. Some viewers enjoyed the anthology format for its variety, while others found it led to a lack of deep character development.
Fun Fact
The series was originally developed by Robert Zemeckis and Gale Anne Hurd, with the intention of being a live-action adaptation of a webcomic, before evolving into its final television format.
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