Transparent: A Show with Great Acting, But Unlikeable Characters

I kept watching “Transparent,” hoping to connect with the characters in this series about a seemingly shallow, spoiled, and obnoxious group of people. I hoped for laughter, maybe even empathy. Instead, by episode seven, I found myself loathing each character with such intensity that I wished for a cataclysmic event to erase them all. Then, a revelation: I didn’t have to watch. I could simply stop. The core concept held promise, but the execution faltered due to the lack of a single relatable or even remotely likeable character.

Jeffrey Tambor and Gaby Hoffman deliver exceptional performances, embodying their roles so completely that it’s difficult to imagine them as anyone else. As actors, they command respect, particularly Hoffman, whose work resonates in a new way. However, the characters themselves remain unsympathetic and distant. While I want to empathize with Maura, her dishonesty, shallowness, and selfishness prevent any genuine connection.

The remaining actors, with one exception, are competent but fail to imbue their tiresome, narcissistic characters with any depth, unlike Tambor and Hoffman. Judith Light, brilliant in “Save Me,” is that exception. Here, her portrayal of a Southern California Jewish matron lacks subtlety and intelligence, resorting to a shrill and strident stereotype that obscures any trace of humanity.

The writing is often clever, and the production quality is high. This series could have been truly exceptional if even one character had been relatable or engaging. The fundamental flaw lies in the inability to connect with the profoundly unlikeable characters, rendering the entire experience frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying.