At this point Netflix is no longer a newcomer to original programming. With Emmy award winning shows like “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black”, the streaming service has made itself a legitimate source of the some of the best television around. “Bloodline,” a family drama from the creators of “Damages” is just the newest in the line of quality scripted television released by Netflix.

“Bloodline” centers on the Rayburn’s, a well-liked family who run a popular resort in the beautiful Florida Keys. We catch up with the family just as the Rayburn’s are celebrating the 45th anniversary of hotel’s opening. This brings the whole family together, including the black sheep of the family, the oldest son, Danny. This is very much the catalyst for much of the drama as his return forces the family to address their past and the cracks that lie beneath the surface of their ‘perfect’ family.

Very much the leader of the Rayburn family, especially after the patriarch Robert Rayburn (Sam Sheppard) falls ill, is middle brother John, played by “Friday Night Lights’” Kyle Chandler. John is the sheriff of the small ocean-front town and is the most level headed of the Rayburn clan. For much of the first season John is the character trying desperately to keep the family together despite the many obstacles that present themselves.

John’s sister Meg, played by Linda Cardellini, is an attorney who, along with the family issues, must deal with a complicated love life. Despite the fact that we do see Meg stray from her fiancé with a business partner, she remains one of the more innocent characters in the show, even if that is more circumstance than anything else.

The youngest brother, Kevin, is the most immature of the family and the least happy to see the return older brother Danny. Kevin is dealing with plenty in his own personal life as we find out early on he is keeping his imminent divorce a secret from his whole family.

The catalyst, and by far most interesting member of the family is Danny. Danny’s return is a big deal to the Rayburn’s. Though never explicitly said, we can assume that he is a man who has been in some kind of trouble for most of his life. Even his trip back home seems more like fleeing trouble than a true homecoming.

Danny isn’t easy to get along with, despite the best effort of most of the family. I say most because Robert doesn’t exactly make much of an effort. It is clear that something in the past has splintered the father-son relationship likely for good. Robert doesn’t want his son to stay, and seems to have enjoyed the time when he was nowhere to be seen, going as far as to write Danny out of his will.

One of the best aspects of “Bloodline” is its interesting use of time. “Bloodline” gives us flashes of the Rayburn’s early days and glimpses into the future all within the same episode, all while keeping an easy to understand timeline. These flashes heighten the mystery surrounding the family, letting us know that something in the past has created all this tension, but not telling exactly what that something is.

The real surprise of the series so far has been relatively unknown Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn in the role of Danny. He is the focus of the first season, so it was essential that he would be able to capture the attention of audiences, which he able to do in spellbinding way.

As is Netflix’s style the first season was released all at once Friday, March 20 and will satisfy any binge watchers appetite as each episode leaves you with more questions that you will need answered.

Share