SNOWFALL (2017-ongoing / Hulu), starring Damson Idris, Carter Hudson, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Emily Rios. Co-creators: John Singleton, Eric Amadio, Dave Andron. Here’s my review:

**** out of 4

Young black man seems determined to follow “the American way” to escape the doom of South Central Los Angeles in the early 1980s until he begins selling drugs to raise a little extra money. Meanwhile, a CIA operative is trying to raise money himself by selling cocaine in order to purchase weapons for the Contras in Nicaragua. In addition, Los Angeles representatives of the Mexican cartel prepare for a major move. The three densely-populated storylines are presented quite separately, taking their time before being woven into anything resembling a central narrative, and require a great deal of attention from the viewer. The payoff, however, is well worth the effort. Singleton, who directed BOYZ N THE HOOD and FOUR BROTHERS before passing away in 2019, is in familiar territory and maintains a firm grip on the disparate plots over the (thus far) three seasons. Series’ tentpole event is the introduction of deadly crack cocaine to Los Angeles and the apocalyptic impact it has on the dealers and their customers. Acting is of the highest caliber, with Idris, Peris-Mencheta, and Rios taking honors, as well as Isaiah John in a strong supporting role as Idris’ street-savvy right-hand man. Series is a worthy inheritor to THE WIRE, which was one of the best television efforts of all time.