When the first season premiered, it didn’t just dip its toes into the water; it dragged us under. Siren Season 1 is a masterclass in genre subversion. It takes a creature usually relegated to children’s fairy tales and turns it into an apex predator. If you missed this gem when it aired, or if you just need a reminder of why Bristol Cove was the most dangerous place on television, let’s dive into why Season 1 works so well.

Eline Powell’s performance is the anchor of the season. She moves with an otherworldly stiffness, her head tilts at unnatural angles, and her eyes hold a predatory intensity that keeps the audience constantly on edge. We root for her, but we are also terrified of her.

For decades, pop culture taught us one undeniable truth: mermaids are gorgeous, half-naked women who sit on rocks, comb their hair, and pine for legs. They are the Disney ideal—sparkly tails, high notes, and a happy ending.

The oceans are being destroyed by sonar testing, oil drilling, and overfishing. The mermaids are not invading; they are displaced refugees fighting for survival. The show draws a distinct parallel between the mistreatment of the ocean and the retaliation of nature. The humans in the show (specifically the military faction) are the villains, treating the mermaids as biological assets to be dissected rather than sentient beings.

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