SENSE8 Insane

Article originally published as SENSE8 Review on Seat42F.

Netflix has a new drama by The Wachowskis (The Matrix) premiering this week. Entitled SENSE8, the story is truly global, following eight individuals in seven countries who are connected to one another somehow, being able to feel what the others feel and experience what they experience. There is a violent act that seems to somehow figure into forging their connection, and presumably there is a villain out there who will endanger them.

If that sounds murky, that is appropriate because SENSE8 is not clear in its intentions right out of the gate. Throughout the first hour, a LOT of characters are introduced, and each have their own plot lines threading the pilot, so there’s much to keep track of. This is not the type of show one can casually watch while cooking dinner; it takes total concentration and engagement to even begin to sort out who everyone is and what the settings are.

The central eight are: Will Gorski (Brian J. Smith, SGU Stargate Universe), a police officer in Chicago; Jamie Clayton (Nomi Marks, Transform Me), a transgender political blogger living in San Francisco with her girlfriend, Amanita (Freema Agyeman, Doctor Who); Riley (Tuppence Middleton, Spies of Warsaw), an Icelandic, drug-enjoying DJ who has immigrated to London; Wolfgang (Max Riemelt, In Face of the Crime), a locksmith-turned-safecracker in Berlin; Lito (Miguel Angel Silvestre, Velvet), a closeted gay actor in Mexico City; Sun (Bae Doona, Cloud Atlas), a businesswoman who has gotten herself into professional trouble in Seoul; Kala (Tina Desai, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), a woman considering marrying a man she doesn’t love in Mumbai; and Capheus (Aml Ameen, Harry’s Law), a failing bus driver in Nairobi.

As you can see, it is quite an international cast, much more so than most “international” ensembles that are at least half American. Each of these individuals very much inhabits a different part of the world and exists within a different culture, which should make their connection even more jarring than it already is. Though, for some reason, the show chooses to use English instead of subtitling, which might make it slightly more accessible, but feels a little weird.

SENSE8 doesn’t try to bring the group together geographically. In fact, the pilot barely brings them together in the story at all, with a few flashes of what will become their new state, but mostly focusing on their lives as they are now. What this means is, SENSE8 is telling many different stories at once, and how they will eventually all be brought into the same orbit remains quite a mystery.

The catalyst for the series involves a woman named Angel (Daryl Hannah, Kill Bill, Steel Magnolias), trapped between her love, Jonas (Naveen Andrews, Lost), and the villainous Mr. Whispers (Terrence Mann, The Dresden Files), but this thread seems just as unconnected as the others at the start, so it’s hard to tell exactly how Angel will play a part in the other eight’s lives, with the end of hour one finally giving us a little info in that regard, but not much.

I can’t say that I enjoyed the first episode of SENSE8 all that much. It took me a good forty-five minutes of confusion and stress to even start to get a handle on what is happening. Generally, that’s not how I like to begin a series. I see that what is going on here is very complicated and I’m not sure there’s an easier way to introduce so much, but at the same time, so few of the characters start out with a compelling narrative that the barrier to entry is great. There are scenes later in the episode, especially for Jamie and Wolfgang, that get one interested and invested. But SENSE8 would work better if it began in that manner and then showed us more of their average lives, providing a more immediate way in.

Because of this, I’m not sure if I’m going to keep watching or not. The production is obviously very high-value, with a variety of interesting places (those with 4K televisions should appreciate this even more), and the acting seems sincere and solid. I certainly would not not recommend it. The question is, will the investment required, much more than your average TV show, be worth the payoff? That, I cannot tell you at this time.

SENSE8’s twelve-episode first season will be available on Netflix this Friday.

Harry's Law dances its "Last Dance" of the season

     NBC's Harry's Law just completed its first season this past Monday night. Only twelve episodes in the freshman season, not atypical, considering it did not premiere in the fall, though it is ending its run over a month before most of the spring finales. That's bad news, because it's been an enjoyable ride. At first, I thought it a lesser sibling to David E. Kelley's other awesome legal dramas, The Practice and Boston Legal, but it began to come into its own in the second half of the season, setting itself apart from the other two, and starting to define its identity. Good news for fans of the show, it looks pretty likely it will be renewed for a second season, though it is not yet official.

     While overall I am quite satisfied with the first season, I have some requests for season two. First, expand the cast. Four main characters is pretty small, especially for a Kelley series. Tommy (Christopher McDonald), Rachael (Jordana Spiro), and Damien (Johnny Ray Gill) all deserve upgrades. I would not argue against Peyton (Paul McCrane) or Judge Coulis (Amy Aquino) also making the cut, though find them less likely to, since they are more outside of the central circle. In a perfect world, Kim (Camryn Manheim) would join them, making a case for focusing on both the prosecution and the defense as The Practice did. But that is likely unrealistic, as she has already starred in a Kelley drama. I'd add Richard Kind to the list, but despite my affection for the actor, his character of Marty may not have the legs for full-time status. Just please make him recurring.

     I'm also almost ready for a new office. Because the shoe store has served so little function, I think it will be time to upgrade the digs by at least the middle of season two. I like the idea of Jenna selling shoes at the same place the other practice law, but it has not yet been very important to the story, and certainly never been a major plot element. We can loose the store easy enough, though they should stay in the same neighborhood, as that has become a character unto itself. Kelley said that Harry would begin to work her way up the ladder as the series went along, so let's see a bit of that. Just not so far up that she forgets where she is starting from. In conjunction with the set improvements, we also need some more income. Perhaps Tommy could join forces, but retain his type of clientele?

     In the finale, Harry (Kathy Bates) defends Josh 'Puck' Peyton, a frequent court room sparring partner of hers. Peyton, known for his tendency to repeat phrases, has been facing a bit of a breakdown, having stripped and ranted in the courtroom an episode earlier. Apparently, the craziness continued as he walked into a house that wasn't his, something that happened off screen before the episode begins. Harry is drawn to Peyton as she seems to be to all misfits who are essentially good people, and defends him. He gets off with a time served sentence, and a beautiful friendship is born. Let's hope Peyton's leaving the D.A. will not keep him off the series.

     Could there be something more than friendship between Harry and Peyton? While Harry seems to resist any romantic story, Peyton does ask her to be his date to a legal gala. She turns him down because she already has a date, the often obnoxiously over the top Tommy Jefferson. Here, Harry is sought after by two men, at least to accompany them for the evening. Yet, only her offense at Tommy complementing another woman shows even the slightest interest on her part of anything beyond one evening. Personally, I'd love to see Harry pursue either Tommy or Peyton, both fun characters. This is a side of the character that needs development.

     I do not understand the hesitation to take these steps towards romance. Perhaps it's because Harry's personality is so off putting, though that argument begins to fall apart when you look at just how many people befriend her whether she wants them or not. Either way, I think the older group needs to be given their relationship due as much as their younger counterparts.

     Both Tommy and Harry have had exes appear on the show, both played by fabulous actors. Harry's Marty (Richard Kind) is a defense lawyer, while Tommy's Kim is an assistant D.A., which opens up the door for both of them to return. It also means a Tommy-Harry pairing could come complete with already introduced past baggage to get in the way.

     Adam (Nathan Corddry) has ended his love triangle as things come to a head with Rachael (Jordana Spiro) in the finale. The two work together to try to stage an appeal for a client on death row (The Blind Side star Quinton Aaron). Of course, their feelings get in the way, as Adam has recently left his girlfriend and declared ongoing emotions for Rachael. Rachael, in turn, proposes to her boyfriend as a reaction. Her strong mood swings, one moment hating Adam, the next calling him her best friend, exhibit her own feelings for him, even if she has trouble deciding what to do. Kim lets the engagement slip in her office, making Adam ask for time apart from Rachael as soon as the case is finished.

     Honestly, I didn't know which element of the Adam and Rachael scenes to care about more. Obviously, I love me a good serial plot, and things between Adam and Rachael have been brewing for some time. I could have jumped up and down cheering when she shows up at his office at the end of the episode and kisses him. I assume she then left to break up with her fiance.

     On the other hand, Aaron makes a fantastic guest star, and his story is extremely moving, especially after he loses his appeal. I hope he returns in season two so that Adam and Rachael have anther chance to save him from execution. I believe he's innocent! Both Kim and Adam and Rachael made such strong arguments, I can accept that the duo lost. Yet, Aaron is such a great get for the show, it would be a shame not to see him again.

     I'm still not totally on board with Jenna (Brittany Snow) and Malcolm (Aml Ameen) as a couple. She has such a strong personality that he is likely to be completely overshadowed by her. Plus, Malcolm is on the verge of getting his life together, and has a lot of work ahead of him. I don't know he can possibly do well in law school and put up with the very high maintenance Jenna. I like both of them separately, but think they would work better with other people. Should they continue, at least stop the pattern of her getting angry at him in every episode and giving him the silent treatment until he has to apologize for something he didn't even know he did. Three consecutive episodes of it is fine, as have already been done, but any more, and it'll get old really quick.

     Thank you Kelley, Bates, and the rest for a nice show that proved pretty darn entertaining. I look forward to more of it.


Article first published as TV Review: Harry's Law - "Last Dance" on Blogcritics.

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Harry's Law Doesn't Do Hugs

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

     I have been excitedly anticipating the premiere of David E. Kelley's new series, Harry's Law. Not only was I a huge fan of Kelley's The Practice and its parody-like spin-off, Boston Legal, but I adore the legendary Kathy Bates, who stars as Harriet 'Harry' Corn. Adding to my delight was the casting of Nate Corddry (Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip, United States of Tara), whose credit list is still rather short, but who is a reliable delight, and whose career seems to be gaining steam. Having just finished watching the pilot, I was far from disappointed.

     I expected Harry's Law to be more like BL than TP, but that was not the case. It was a serious show, with just enough humor mixed in to make it enjoyable, as well as set it apart as different from the scores of other legal shows currently on the air. Admittedly, there were some outrageous moments, including the first five minutes, when Harry miraculously was uninjured in two serious accidents, and Corddry's impassioned speech to the judge. Zany characters, such as the prosecutor who repeated himself, were kept low key enough to not be distracting. However, much of the show was Harry grumbling at the people who forced themselves into her life, intent on accompanying her on her new adventure.

     Oh, did I forget to mention that there are Eli Stone elements? Not that Harry is finding god, but that she is embarking on something totally different from her life thus far, and finally finding herself, as well as meaning. After thirty-two years in patent law, Harry gets herself fired in less than a month when she stops caring. Granted, I am baffled that the firm didn't try to fix her attitude, as she is billed as top of field, rather than just ditching her, but it was a necessary first step on her journey of self discovery.

     I was further thrilled that the series is set in Cincinnati, Ohio. Though I have not lived in Ohio for a little over a year, I spent most of my life there until recently, and still love the state dearly. Sadly, I see little of the real Cincinnati in the sets, but I'll give it time and the benefit of the doubt. The street set provides my only real complaint, though. The neighborhood Harry opens her new office in is supposed to be crime-laden, yet still looks beautiful, with well cared for green trees, and some of the cleanest stone buildings I've ever seen. Couldn't the prop people make the street look at least a little dingy?

     If it seems like I'm taking awhile to get to specifics of the show, it's because this is a series hard to define. The real success isn't in the broad scopes, but the details, which come heavy and fast. Harry's world is a specific place, somewhere outside our own, but every bit as authentic.

     As you may have heard, the actual office in Harry's Law is a unique set. She now works in a shoe store. It was abandoned, with its stock, by the previous tenants. Harry wanted the shoes gone, but her assistant, Jenna (Brittany Snow, American Dreams) saw the value in the merchandise, and insisted on selling the footwear on the side. She even painted the storefront window to read 'Harriet's Law and Fine Shoes'. Will they restock once the current supply runs low? I hope so. Kelley has promised that Harry will face real growth should the show run for awhile, and will likely grow in power and clientele, making me fear the shoe element may be abandoned in a year or two. Might I suggest her shoe retail business grow with her? It's a really charming element.

     The shoe store is far from the only charm in this show, bursting at the seems with Kelley's trademark handiwork. Both of Harry's death defying stunts were not only humorous, but also served the purpose of introducing new characters. Adam (Corddry) hit her with a car, and insisted on working for her in atonement. The other accident was caused when Malcolm (Aml Ameen, The Bill) attempted to jump to his death, and landed on Harry instead. Malcolm ended up being Harry's first case, and was hired on as a paralegal at the end of the episode. A unique way to introduce main cast.

     I may be emphasizing the humor too much. There is a lot of heart here as well. Despite Harry insisting that she doesn't do hugs, she found herself the recipient of a number of them. Number one on the list was because of her defense of Malcolm. She knew Malcolm was a lost cause, but made a last ditch effort to appeal to compassion. She hoped to turn one jury member in her favor, despite Malcolm undeniably falling on the wrong side of the law. Harry failed at that, but she did win over the judge. Harry puts up a show that she doesn't care, but it's a token move, as most everyone can see right through her. Harry is going to do the right thing, no matter what it costs her. How can you not like a character like that?

     On Boston Legal, sometimes Kelley's characters got up on their soapbox, arguing political views. Harry did the same in the pilot of Harry's Law, making a plea for legalizing drugs. Yes, the message is liberal, though as Harry points out, it began as a conservative idea. As someone that mostly agrees with Mr. Kelley's liberal agenda, I take heart at his preachy writing. However, on BL, the liberal Alan Shore was balanced by the conservative Denny Crane (though I admit Crane softened as the series went on). What Kelley seems to be trying to do now is to put both sides of the idealistic aisle in one person: Harry. It's a delicate balance, one I assume will lean liberal a little more often, but I applaud the effort. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle, and can see both sides of many issues. I like that Harry is a real character that can, too.

     Fleshing out characters is something Kelley does extremely well. Not only are Harry and Adam well defined, helped along by extremely talented performers, but Jenna, Malcolm, and sympathetic neighborhood thug / self appointed security officer, Damien (Johnny Ray Gill), is, too. There is such a strong voice in this show, it's hard not to be impressed. Kelley has certainly created another triumph.

    Please do check out Harry's Law, which is destined to be a great series. Good first night ratings make me optimistic that your time will be well invested. Harry's Law airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. on NBC.

Article first published as TV Review: Harry's Law Doesn't Do Hugs on Blogcritics.