he eccentric Dragon family and its shenanigans will keep you hooked from the moment you hit ‘Play’. You will quickly find yourself irresistibly drawn into their world, laughing and cheering with them throughout all eight episodes, regardless of early expectations.

The series expertly weaves comedy and family dynamics. The charismatic Rob Lowe plays Ellis Dragon, a narcissistic and brilliant biotech entrepreneur. His real-life son, John Owen Lowe plays Jackson. Rob Lowe and his son are also the executive producers alongside comedy veterans Victor Fresco and Marc Buckland.

The story unfolds two months after the devastating loss of Ellis’s wife of 30 years, creating profound sorrow and upheaval in his life. Ellis, once a focused and driven individual now finds himself adrift in a sea of unpredictable emotions. He manifests his grief through unusual and peculiar behaviours, such as sunbathing naked in his office and engaging in questionable escapades.

Things take a hilarious turn when Ellis makes his board-mandated psychiatrist Leslie, played by Fred Armisen, disappear mysteriously. As Leslie attempts to blackmail Ellis, by reporting his psychological weakness to the board, Ellis retaliates by taking and holding him hostage. But they eventually develop a friendship, leading Leslie to become yet another devoted follower of Ellis.

The two spend time playing pool, sharing dinners and watching movies together, further solidifying their bond. The subplot, featuring Fred Armisen as an eccentric psychiatrist, adds a wacky and unpredictable element to the storyline.

Anna, the chief financial officer, played brilliantly by Sian Clifford, recognises the detrimental impact of Ellis’s erratic behaviour on the company’s stability. Considering his well-being and the company’s future, she devises a plan to get him back on track.

The CFO reaches out to his son for help. It is then that Jackson, a talented flutist based in New York, enters the picture. This rekindles the previously checkered father-son relationship, unexpectedly breathing new life into it.

Jackson is a complete antithesis to his father. He displays tranquillity, determination and contentment with his choice to become a flute teacher after completing his science studies at Harvard.

Unstable is not just a reflection on grief and family but also a workplace comedy. It delivers many densely-packed jokes, making it a highly delightful and engaging watch. Playfulness and silliness are the show’s strongest appeals; mundane scenes are sidestepped for bizarre visual antics

Unlike his father, he is not materialistic or egotistical. As Ellis and Jackson interact, you can see the complexities of a father-son relationship strained by grief. The two display dissimilar forms of brilliance. A lack of effective communication prevents them from realising their potential. The series masterfully explores the universal family miscommunication theme and the journey toward understanding.

A perfect balance is struck between moments of comedy and poignant reflection. Grief is one of the recurring themes of the series. It is treated with sensitivity and depth. It is conveyed through Ellis’s portrayal in a way that is both relatable and heartbreaking, reminding viewers of the profound impact loss can have on one’s life and highlighting how each person copes with and expresses grief differently.

Unstable is not just a reflection on grief and family but also a workplace comedy. It delivers many densely-packed jokes, making it a highly delightful and engaging watch. Playfulness and silliness are the show’s strongest appeals. Mundane scenes are sidestepped for bizarre visual antics, such as an imperfect invisibility cloak.

Clifford, best known for her role in Fleabag, is a welcome anchor amidst the chaos of the series with her dry humour reminiscent of her previous work. It is amusing to watch her dry wit and no-nonsense attitude in contrast to the Dragon family’s idiosyncrasies.

The supporting characters also surpass expectations by a significant margin. A comical character played by Aaron Branch is Malcolm Drummond, Jackson’s childhood friend who idolises Ellis and works for him. He holds his boss in such high regard that he is almost envious of his friend being Ellis’s son.

The ensemble cast has a charming shared history and special chemistry evident in the steadfast loyalty displayed by Luna essayed by Rachel Marsh and Ruby played by Emma Ferreira. Luna and Ruby are two scientists employed by the company collaborating on Ellis’s carbon-to-concrete initiative. A similar quality can also be seen in the intriguing, yet unexplored, friendship between Malcolm, Ellis’s biggest fan and Jackson, his harshest critic.

Unstable is a fun TV series that promises entertainment and laughter. Sarcasm and dark humour strike just the right chord, interspersed with a few serious moments that do not weigh one down too much.

Instead of overdoing emotional scenes, it treats them thoughtfully and creates a strong sense of camaraderie among the characters. Their banter is downright hilarious and you find yourself chuckling at their quirky and chaotic antics.

If you are in the mood for a well-written and refreshingly fun series, Unstable is a must-watch. Here’s to hoping for a second season.

The writer is a freelance contributor