Television:

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Rubicon – New CIA Intrigue Thriller on AMC Debuts
Sunday, Aug. 1st

By Rick Grant   TV Commentary

AMC’s swarthy new spy thriller stars James Badge Dale as Will Travers, a CIA analyst working in NYC who experiences the tragic death of his wife and child during the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers. During the course of his job, he stumbles on a mysterious conspiracy that puts his life in danger and changes his attitude about his job.

The noirish filmmaking style of Allen Coulter creates the bloomy mood of the old Cold War era. There are no computers in Will’s office, just wall-to wall books and racks of newspapers. His boss is his father-in-law who dies in a train crash. He is offered his job and after some soul searching he decides to take it.

Although it’s been years since 9/11, Will has not yet moved on with a new life. A new analyst, Maggie Young (Jessica Collins) is romantically interested in Will and tires to break through his defenses, but is rebuffed every time.

As Will investigates a pattern in the crossword puzzles taken from various newspapers, which leads him down a path of intrigue. There are powerful people who operate independently, free of constitutional concerns. Each new clue takes Will into a dark world of secret societies and rogue agents.

Penetrating further in this secret world, Will discovers the scary relationship between big business and our government that might even be one in the same. Soon, Will is faced with situations that he could never imagine. His cynicism is raised to the nth power by his discovery of just how influential this organization is, and how cleverly they wield absolute power.

The 13 episode series’ cast includes lead actor James Badge Dale (“The Pacific”) the late Miranda Richardson, Dallas Roberts, Jessica Collins, Christopher Evan Walsh, Lauren Hodges, and Arliss Howard.

“Rubicon’s” pilot was produced in NYC and was directed by acclaimed film helmer Allen Coulter (“The Sopranos,” “Hollywoodland,” “Damages”). The high caliber of the cast and the quality writing bodes well for future episodes.

Like “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men” producers endeavored to get the best cast and writers to uphold the AMC reputation for premier television. The pilot, which is available on the AMC website, proves that the producers were serious about the high standards that the other AMC series had set.

The pilot was premiered in the summer of 2007 following an season ending episode of “Mad Men.” I remembered the sneak peak, but I rewatched it on AMC’s website to refresh my memory. Lead actor James Badge Dole’s performance is multidimensional and brooding. I was struck by his James Deanesque method acting style.

The dark mood and quality acting harken back to classic spy thrillers like Richard Burton in “The Spy Who Came In from The Cold.” Today we rarely see an old fashioned spy films with shadowy subtleties. Now, wiz-bang special effects have taken over the genre.

James Badge Dole was amazing in “The Pacific,” and I knew we’d be seeing much more of him. With this new series, AMC continues to enhance its reputation for quality television.

The Colony 2 – Discovery’s Engaging Post Apocalyptic Series

By Rick Grant TV Commentary

The first season of “The Colony” got people talking about living in a post apocalyptic world without any infrastructure. Although some of the situations were scripted, the conflicts between the colonists were real. As the colonists used what they had in that warehouse, creating ingenious machines and even a shower, it resulted in riveting television.

On Tuesday, July 27th, at 10 pm, Discovery is launching a second season of “The Colony” with new volunteers who come from different backgrounds, skills, and personalities. They’re faced with a world after a biological disaster–an unknown virus that wipes out most of the world’s population.

The 7 colonists were dropped into a previously devastated region of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana that had been decimated by Hurricane Katrina.  They have no electricity, running water, toilet facilities, and have to scrounge for food and water.

Each colonist brings their own special trade or talent to the colony,  which includes a construction foreman, teacher, carpenter, and auto-mechanic. They must improvise and think creatively to survive. Their first order of business is security–protecting their camp. The next priority is finding food and water.

As in season 1, the new colonists must learn to work together and deal with the inevitable conflicts that develop. But, their biggest threat are the outsiders and marauders invading their camp searching for food. They are forced to defend their cache of food with whatever weapons they can muster or make.

“The Colony” features on-going commentary and input from survival experts in homeland security, engineering, psychology, and the medicine to give the audience insight into what a post apocalyptic world would be like. The volunteers are not actors, but certain scenes are staged.

Nonetheless, this simulation is as real as could be shot under simulated conditions. It’s engaging television that actually educates people on how to survive after a global disaster.
As the 10 episode arc continues, the colonists face daunting physical and emotional challenges as they attempt to survive in this new reality–living without the amenities we all take for granted. There are many dangers and unknowns.

The colonists are plagued by anxiety wondering how many of their loved ones survived the pandemic? Or, how many people in general survived? However, the colonists can assume there is anarchy on the streets. The world has turned into survival of the fittest.

By forming a colony, there’s  protection in the group and they can help each other survive. There is no future setting out alone in a devastated world. The colonists biggest problem is getting along with each other and cooperating to use the group to their advantage. Of course, conflicts will develop, especially under the stress of living without basic necessities.

The colonists in the first season managed to build a gravity shower, which improved their morale considerably. Staying clean, having a working latrine, and a method to clean clothes are trumped by the need for food and water.

The first season of “The Colony” caused quite a stir among viewers. This season should continue the discussion of what if only a few of us survived a global apocalypse? What would we do? As for me. I’d be lost. When the electricity goes off, I’m dead in the water. It’s the most empty feeling in the world. I go into electricity withdrawal and pray it comes back on.

 

The Bridge New Canadian Cop Series Premiered on CBS Saturday, July 10th Quality TV Comes to Saturday Night

By Rick Grant   TV Commentary

Finally, something worthwhile to watch on Saturday night, which has always been considered a dead zone for network ratings. CBS took a chance on this gritty series produced in Canada. “The Bridge” features quality writing and acting from a stellar cast, unknown in the United States. 

The two hour pilot set up the story arc about a dedicated police officer, Frank Leo (Aaron Douglas) who is charismatic and a born leader. When a fellow officer commits suicide, the brass doesn’t want to give him a proper police funeral. Frank steps up to challenge the brass, threatening a one day walk out if they don’t give the officer a regular funeral.

For standing up to the brass, Frank gets the support of the union that votes him in as its new president. Frank’s father was a cop and the department internal affairs Is investigating him for stealing from the union pension fund. They bug Frank’s house and get a colleague of Frank’s to get information from him while wired for sound.

During the survaillance and wire-tapping, Frank’s father admits to him he did steal from the pension fund. When Frank finds out about the investigation of his father, he is determined to get even by exposing the corruption festering in the chain of command.

It doesn’t take long for Frank to acquire enemies within the higher ranks. Meanwhile, Frank continues his duties as an exemplary cop and investigator. But now he has to watch his back. He has pissed off some influential bosses.

The pilot script sets up the intricate intrigue within the Bridge Division of the police force. As a union boss, Frank is automatically at odds with the brass. But he treads lightly trying to make compromises to help his 8,000 fellow officers. Frank has to use his diplomatic skills to represent the rank and file, while appeasing the brass.

To further Frank’s reputation as a stand up guy with the rank and file, he intervenes when two officers are accused of using excessive force on a suspect.  Yes, there is a video tape. But the media only played half of the tape. The first part of the tape shows the officers being abused by the suspect. So Frank gets his AD friend (Ona Grauer) and soon to be girlfriend to look into the incident on behalf of the railroaded officers.

As a result of her clash with the DA, the AD quits and asks Frank for $5.00 to retain her as his lawyer who will represent the falsely accused officers. She  insists that the brass play the other half of the tape to the public, which exonerates the officers.

Now, Frank has stepped on some VIP shoes, and he’s being set up as the leader of a group of cops ripping-off drug dealers. But, Frank is able to find the real culprit and have him arrested. The brass then know that Frank is someone they will have to deal with grudging respect.

The series was created by Alan Di Fiore, Craig Bromell, and Adam Shully for 990 Multi Media Entertainment Company in association with Canada’s CTV and CBS Television Studios.

“The Bridge” runs on CBS, Saturday nights at 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm, ET

 

Rizzoli & Isles Debuts on TNT as Intelligent Gal Pal Detective Series

By Rick Grant TV Commentary

In the realm of gal pal television series, “Rizzoli & Isles” is definitely not “Cagney and Lacey” (1981-1988). After all, it is 2010 and women have made giant strides to smash the glass ceiling and proved they can do anything men can do, but in most cases, better. So it’s not unusual to have two experienced actresses playing serious parts and not acting as eye candy as in the old T&A series “Charlie’s Angles.”

Starring Angie Harmon (“Law & Order” 72 episodes, 1988 to 2001) as detective Jane Rizzoli and Sasha Alexander (“NCIS” 43 episodes) as medical examiner Maura Isles, the stories revolve around difficult homicide cases which require close collaberation between Det. Rizzoli and ME Isles.

Both gal pals take a scientific approach to solving homicides. Det Rizzoli works in the field and in the morgue with Isles to solve their cases. These friends and colleagues are living in Boston where deadly violence is a regular occurrence.

Det. Rizzoli avoids her overprotective mother, played by Lorraine Bracco (“The Sopranos”) and is better at basketball than her brother. Her main flaw is analyzing everyone she meets, including her first dates. These gal pals are intrinsically different but effective as a team. Their friendship is based on respect and tolerance of their respective differences.

Dr. Maura Isles believes there is a scientific explanation for every case she examines. She finds death straightforward-- accidents, natural deaths, or murders. She finds this comforting in her job. She was a top scholar in college. Her medical studies led her to the study of forensic pathology. She loves dissecting bodies to find out clues to what killed them.

To meet Maura on the street, one could never guess what she does for a living. She likes to keep that part of her life a mystery until it becomes necessary to reveal it. But, she has her best friend Jane Rizzoli to confide in when she gets down. Her coworkers call her “queen of the dead” behind her back.

Lee Thompson Young (“Flash Forward”) plays Det. Barry Frost, Jane’s somewhat green partner. Bruce McGill (“Law Abiding Citizen”) plays Det. Vince Korsak, Jane’s seasoned former partner, and Jordan Bridges plays Jane’s brother Franki, a patrol cop who is working to become a detective.

Although there was not a preview video or screener available, the series features veteran television producers and top notch actors to pull off this umpteen detective series. Of course, the hook is the lead actresses Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander’s A-list credentials as fine actresses, assisted by a strong supporting cast.

The series is produced by Warner Horizon Television and based on Tess Gerritsen’s novels featuring Jane Rizzoli. Warner Horizon has hired A-list writers to pen the scripts.
“Rizzoli & Isles” premieres on TNT, Monday, July 12 at 10:00 pm ET

The Glades – Swarthy New Detective Series on A&E Worth Checking Out

By Rick Grant TV Commentary

Learning about another detective series on A&E was anticlimactic, since there are dozens of other cop dramas on the vast array of cable networks. After previewing the series and pilot, I was intrigued by the smart writing and careful development of the characters.

The series stars Aussie, Matt Passmore portraying Lt. Jim Longworth. A former Chicago homicide detective with an impressive arrest and conviction record, Longworth was wrongfully accused of sleeping with the Captain’s wife.

In a jealous rage, the Captain shot Longworth, who nearly died of his wound. After his recovery, he decides to move to Southern Florida to a little town on the fringe of the Everglades called Palm Glade. He is hired by Colleen Manus, (Michelle Hurd) the Regional Director for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, of the Florida State Police.

Manus is desperate to get her arrest rate up and she was impressed with Long worth’s resume. But, his confident and cocky manner rubs her the wrong way. However, with Manus, Longworth knows when to turn off the arrogant attitude and turn on the charm.

There is always tension between them which is offset by Longworth’s superior detective skills. When Manus thinks that Longworth is out of line, she reins him in with her strong leadership authority. And, Longworth knows when to acquiesce.

For Longworth, the idyllic little town of Palm Glade is not what he imagined. The town and region is seething with crime and murders which keep him busy. He tries to improve his golf game but has to leave the course quite often to investigate homicides.

Going to the local hospital for follow-up care, Longworth meets feisty nurse, Callie Cargill  (Kiele Sanchez) and is smitten. Longworth turns on the charm, but Callie sees right through his veneer of irresistible hunkiness.

Callie is a full time nurse and is studying to be a doctor. She is also raising a 12 year old son, which doesn’t leave her enough time for a social life. Still deep down she is interested in Longworth but rebuffs his lame attempts to ask her out. But that doesn’t stop Longworth from trying because Callie keeps the flirtation going.

Carlos Sanchez (Carlos Gomez) is Long worth’s golf buddy and the forensic medical examiner. Sanchez is often annoyed by Longworth’s banter, but he respects his amazing detective talents.
Sanchez is a family man with a demanding wife and kids. His forensic curiosity is often aroused by helping Longworth solve murders. The two friends bicker on the golf course but enjoy each other’s company.

The series was created and written by Clifton Campbell who is from Florida and knows the Broward County region where the show is shot. In an unusual move, the script for the pilot is available free from Barnes and Noble or A&E.com.

With umpteen cop series and hospital dramas flooding the airwaves, this quirky series stands out. Like Jason Lee’s new series “Memphis Beat,” “The Glades” has a strong sense of location with a bluesy soundtrack. The vast Everglades is lurking just around the corner where killers dispose of bodies to let the alligators make their bodies disappear. 

Scoundrels  ABC’s Quality New Dramedy About a Family of  Criminals Premiered June 21

By Rick Grant   TV Commentary

This new series is based on a New Zealand program entitled “Outrageous Fortune.” The premise involves a typical suburban family, the Wests, who own a thrift store which they stock with stolen merchandise by break-in styled burglaries. On the surface, the family appears to be normal, which, in the past, has been a successful cover.

However, husband and father Wolfgang “Wolf” West (David James Elliott) was busted by the cops for hijacking a truck load of merchandise. In the pilot, Wolf is sentenced to five years in jail, which leaves his wife, Cheryl (Virginia Madsen) to take over the family business and her brood of dysfunctional offspring.

Son Calvin “Cal” (Patrick Flueger) is his father’s partner in crime. But he’s sloppy and not too bright. Oldest daughter Heather (Leven Rambin) is into modeling underwear for sleazy photographers. She is also a dim bulb. Youngest daughter, Hope (Vanessa Mariano) is bright but conniving. She blackmailed her high school principal to let her skip school to pursue her flmmaking career.

The only straight member of the family is Logan who just passed the New York bar and has a bright future ahead. His mom, Cheryl goes straight from her husband’s sentencing to attend his acceptance to the bar ceremony.

Police Sergeant Mack (Carlos Bernard) is onto the family crime business. Getting Wolf behind bars is a major coup for Sergeant Mack.

In the pilot, Cheryl discovers that Cal invaded a home of an Asian crime family, the Hongs and fought with the family’s kung fu granny. He stole a family heirloom thinking it may have drugs inside. After he smashes it to smithereens, there are no drugs. The Hongs have threatened Cheryl with turning Cal into the police (the dummy left his cap with his name inside.) with their evidence or death if he doesn’t return the heirloom. 

With the mastermind Wolf behind bars, Cheryl decides that she’s had enough of the crime business. She declares to the family that they are going straight. She sold the store and gave the money to the Hongs for their lost heirloom.

This unspeakable declaration is quite a shock to the family who have never worked a legitimate job in their lives. When Cal visits his father in jail and tells him that mom has made the family go straight, he laughs hysterically, knowing that Cheryl will never be able to work a straight job. There are other hints in the pilot that the West family will probably go back to crime to survive.

The production team that created the successful “Nip/Tuck”, Lyn Greene and Richard Levine are executive producers along with Francie Calfo. John Barnett, whose company South Pacific Pictures, produced the New Zealand series is also on-board as an advisor and executive producer.

The pilot script was well written and featured snappy dialogue. A-list actress Virginia Madsen is a strong presence in the series as the new leader of the family. David James Elliott can best be remembered in his long running “Jag” series. Although his character is in jail, Elliott will be a prominent character from prison.

The new series is a daring entry into the summer schedule, especially for ABC Television, which has spent more money on this series to assure quality and audience acceptance. It runs on Sundays at 9:00 pm.