Flesh and Bone

Ballet is like an obsession. If Black Swan did teach us one thing then it clearly was that. And the show that ran for a season on Starz is clear in its intentions to be a somewhat spiritual successor or at least in the same ballpark. Having one of the dancers from that movie playing the main role here is a start. And Sarah Hay learned Ballet as a young girl, something you can tell by watching her move (though I'm not sure if you can tell more as the teacher/director and some others seem to be able to).

So with a limited knowledge of the art itself, I can say that it is riveting and it looks phenomenal. But the show also dares to explore darker themes and backstories of the characters. You may be able to guess the connections between them (or rather their relationship), but there will be surprises along the way.

If you don't mind complex characters, blood (sweat) and nudity (including lewd acts as some might proclaim), this is really interesting. The character journey is really something and while you can guess to a certain extend where this is heading, the performances make it more than worthwhile

People writing bad reviews based on their dance past may have a point, but might be viewing this from the wrong perspective. Yes the show is about a ballet company, but it tells a story, more than one actually and even if there are clichés in it, that's called dramatizing the story.

What is being told here could have used any background. Look at 'Mozard in the Jungle', that setting could have fit too. Yet, finally someone takes courage in making a beautiful show with ballet as background. Shouldn't you people be proud of that instead of pissing on it?

For me, I love ballet, but that's not only the reason why I'm watching and I never really leave reviews here, but reading from 'ex-dancers' I thought it felt unfair how the show was being reviewed. The acting is very good, esp. from the lead, the dancing imo is good enough to fool the audience and it's the whole vibe of the show (the way it's shot, the music) that sets a really pleasant tone to watch it. I am kinda sad there aren't more episodes, yet.

So, watch it, don't judge too soon and enjoy it. It's like reading a good book!

What a beautiful and breathtaking series ! Enjoyed every minute of it. The acting is superb. The story is so sad, yet so beautiful. The dancing is amazing. The story goes deep and I think one has to know a little bit of life to appreciate it. Sometimes life is not like Modern family, but about disrupted families. What I especially love about the story is that no one is really good or really bad. That 's why I like the role of Romeo so much, half an idiot, half a philosopher. He seems to be speaking nonsense but in fact he's great. Hope there will be a second season; there is a lot more to say about Claire and ABC. I feel this was just the beginning. Compliments, bravo!

The year was 1995 and Joe Eszterhas, the top of writer of the day for mainstream exploitation films, released (unleashed) his most exploitative script of all time -- Showgirls.

At the time, it seemed like a slam dunk. It had something to push everyone's buttons. It was about strippers. It had dancing and sex. It had backstory. And just as additional insurance to guarantee greatness, the casting director deliberately picked the female star of a popular teen sitcom for the leading role -- guaranteeing a "shock" factor as the world watched a sweet teen icon go down the darkside.

It should have worked but it didn't. The mass audience, the gestalt, seemed to belatedly develop a conscience and punished the film, presumably, as payback for all the earlier works of of Eszterhas' they enjoyed but probably shouldn't have.

A major TV comic talking about the film (which was a flop within weeks of release) said "I haven't seen so many poles abused since WW2."

Ironically 20 years later, with TV in full-on stratification and everyone with a video camera offering a new series, the writers of Flesh and Bone have taken the ideas comprising Showgirls and fixed them and repaired them.

It is exploitative but does not make you feel guilty.

Pretty good TV.

Although this series is very dark and gritty, there's some interesting issues brought to life here. I felt like this never gave into stereotypes, featured some marvelous dancers, and gave the women in this show some really meaty parts.

I have seen some bitching about it not being feminist enough, which is baseless. The men in the company serve mostly to fill out the company. Which makes sense really, this is NOT a show about ballet - this is a show about our main character, Claire, and her messy and dark life.

I wouldn't recommend this for anyone under 18, mainly because of the deeply dark subjects that are explored in the show. The nudity and sex is part of life, as a former dancer I definitely relate to the dancers not being modest. But I guess many people are still very prudish in 2015.

I really enjoyed the show, from the beginning to the very end it kept me very entertained and dance shown is gorgeous - not surprising as it was choreographed by Ethan Stiefel!!!

Sadly, it seems there won't be a second series - so I guess I will have to re-watch the first series.

If you're ready to dive into the darkest secrets and ugliest parts of a character (this is no rom-com), then you'll be very satisfied with Flesh and Bone.