Ok so loads of Goodfellas parallel, based on actual characters, first person narration etc. This is solid TV. Some reviews say it's mediocre or typical, but every episode ends with you feeling it ended too soon. Kim Coates is one of my favorite working actors, he's awesome. There's something about the way this is shot though, it's kind of dark and a little overly noir in its look. It loses a little something. Still for all its faults it's compelling t.v. that ends far too fast.