I’m a fan of giant monster movies and series but shows on Apple TV+ are often character-focused dramas. So Monarch: Legacy of Monsters was bound to be interesting. Because it is released weekly, it has to be. The show premiered on 2023 11 17, and new episodes were released every Friday.

Aftermath

The show had a rough start. I found the characters stereotypical, the pacing predictable, and the story frustrating. Perhaps the episode tried too hard to do too much. But there was something there, lurking and biding its time. Turns out it was the story that was worth sticking around for. Also, Godzilla made an appearance.

Departure

Once the contents had been poured out on the table and the game pieces had been put into place, the show started to take form. Everything started to connect and become coherent, like part two of a two-part pilot. On top of that, a different Kaiju appeared, giving me hope that the “monsters” in the show are not just humans.

Secret and Lies

This was when the show got good for me. There’s action, intrigue, mystery, and more kaiju encounters! It was like the protagonists had finally passed the tutorial level, and this is where the actual game starts. The plot and story have done plodding, and now it is in its stride. By the end, I was thoroughly hooked. I want to know more and can’t wait for the next episode.

Thankfully, There’s Kurt Russel

While I was not too fond of any of the characters in episode 1, by episode 3, things changed. Of the three young protagonists, I like May (Kiersey Clemons). She is intelligent, prepared, and makes the most sense. Du Ho (Bruce Baek) only appeared in episode 3, but he stole every scene he was in. Last but not least, extra points go to Kurt Russel (Lee Shaw), whose appearance tied up the two timelines and was a turning point in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

To Watch Or Not To Watch

If you like a Shin Godzilla and have the patience for a show that needs time to build up, then Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is a show to watch. So, if you like human drama in a giant monster or disaster movie with a side of evil organisation, world-building, and science fiction, this might also be a show for you.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is also very different from anything else on TV right now, and although the show is set in the same world as the Legendary Entertainment Godzilla movies, you don’t need to watch the films to enjoy the show.