Big Mistakes: When Family Drama Meets Organized Crime

There are, generally speaking, two types of television shows: those that launch stars and those made by stars. The former, like Bridgerton, Euphoria, and Industry, transform unknowns into household names. The latter are passion projects that catapult their creators into industry stardom (think Fleabag, I May Destroy You, and Baby Reindeer). Dan Levy’s Schitt’s Creek undoubtedly falls into the first category.

Levy, 42, benefited from a head start – co-creating the show with his father, Eugene Levy of American Pie fame, who also played the delightfully clueless patriarch. Yet, Schitt’s Creek was a grassroots success, debuting in 2015 on Canadian network CBC before becoming a global phenomenon on Netflix a few years later.

The Post-Breakthrough Project: A Risky Investment?

What about shows created *after* a star’s breakthrough? These are often the result of lucrative streaming deals offered to creators riding high on the success of their previous work. Historically, these investments haven’t always paid off. Amazon reportedly shelled out $100 million for a Phoebe Waller-Bridge project after Fleabag, but a comparable hit hasn’t materialized. Netflix had moderate success with Levy’s 2023 film, Good Grief – though it wasn’t quite the rambunctious comedy they likely envisioned when signing him to an eight-figure deal.

‘Big Mistakes’: A Promising New Venture?

However, Big Mistakes might be the exception. Co-created with Rachel Sennott (of I Love LA), the series stars Levy as Nicky, a pastor grappling with a secret relationship and a family full of demands. He’s joined by Taylor Ortega as his cool-headed sister, Morgan, and Laurie Metcalf (of Roseanne) as their emotionally volatile mother, currently embroiled in a chaotic mayoral campaign.

The first episode kicks off with a seemingly simple request: finding a fake diamond necklace for Nicky’s ailing grandmother. Miraculously, they find the perfect piece… only to discover it’s the real deal. Morgan, naturally, steals it, and the siblings are soon pursued by the criminals who were guarding it. The initial setup feels a bit contrived, and the reason a valuable necklace was on public display remains unexplained.

Much of the plot relies on implausible events designed to thrust Nicky and Morgan into the criminal underworld. While the premise of ordinary people caught up in organized crime isn’t new (see Fargo, Ozark, and Only Murders in the Building), Big Mistakes delivers a disappointingly generic take. The villains are more irritating than intimidating.

A Blindsiding Twist and Familiar Family Dynamics

A shocking twist at the end of the first episode sets up season two, but even that feels somewhat illogical. Ultimately, Big Mistakes feels less like a groundbreaking premise and more like a convenient excuse for Levy to return to what he does best: crafting hilariously dysfunctional family dynamics. And in that regard, it largely succeeds.

The chemistry between the repressed Nicky and the rebellious Morgan is a highlight. Levy perfectly captures the awkward regression that happens when reconnecting with siblings – the shared childhood memories, the playful bickering, and the freedom to be brutally honest. The dynamic with their other sister, the infuriatingly perfect Natalie, is equally well-drawn.

The cast shines. Metcalf masterfully portrays a woman teetering between steely resolve and fragile vulnerability. Levy is predictably charming, and Ortega is a revelation – her comedic timing is impeccable. (Their fashion sense is also noteworthy: Nicky channels a stylish Seinfeld, while Morgan rocks a gothic-boho aesthetic.)

While Big Mistakes isn’t a flawless masterpiece, it’s far from a failure. It’s a testament to Levy’s talent for creating relatable, cringe-worthy family comedy. Shows made by stars may not always reach the heights of those that *create* stars, but Big Mistakes is a worthwhile watch.

You can stream ‘Big Mistakes’ now on Netflix.