Claws

Claws is densely packed with fascinating characters and vibrant dialogue--and the cast grabs that dialogue and sprints off with it.

Claws does occasionally lean a bit hard on the wackiness; it has a tendency to overindulge when it comes to extended montages and slo-mo. But, honestly, who cares? On a hot day when a TV viewer is looking for a fun kick, it’s an appealing summer offering: a sweet mojito with extra pulp.

Sparkly nail salon culture, the low-life Floridian crime world and the close camaraderie of female friends is a winning combination for Claws, a series that favors true situation comedy and stylistic flair above trashy girl and bling clichés.

What you bask in while watching Claws is the world that’s been created, and the women who populate it. It’s a world maybe you don’t quite understand but is so meticulously crafted that it doesn’t become hick tourism, but instead a heightened version of an already colorful reality.

The characters in Claws initially seem like clichés, including Desna, who is very much the familiar big-busted broad in high heels and hot pants. Before the first hour is over, though, we see them differently.

Claws walks a tightrope throughout. Its outlandish Spring Breakers--esque story, nourished by the heat of its setting, is bolstered by real and committed performances. It's a step forward for an increasingly ambitious network previously known for procedurals. Nash, overdue for a role that will vaunt her onto TV's A-list, brings humanity to a story that too easily could have been featherlight.

Nash, Preston, and Reyes play their roles with such gusto that your profound, debilitating shame at enjoying Claws will fade quickly.

There’s a lot to like about TNT’s dark comedy/​crime drama Claws, including a terrific cast of women playing some unusual-for-TV characters. But the show would be stronger if it had a more unique story engine to drive its plots.

Like “Animal Kingdom,” it will never be confused with quality TV, nor will it take you somewhere you’ve never been before. But as a bit of flamboyant drama, where subtlety is a lot less important than the bright Florida hues and the ladies’ flashy costumes, it will do.

There’s a twist at the end of the third episode, the last one made available to critics, that, along with the fine performances and the welcome focus on female solidarity, will keep me coming back to this series, at least for a few more episodes. The polish on Claws has some noticeable chips in it. But I don’t want to remove it, not just yet.

Like “Orange Is the New Black,” Claws is impressive primarily for how genuinely it engages with a disenfranchised underclass (without making it feel as boring or academic as that sounds). ... And though Claws admirably avoids judging this world, it still struggles with tone. The drama can’t quite decide how funny, smart, or pathetic it wants to be, and that can make for a jarring viewing experience.