Thank You Very Much, MR. ROBOT

Article originally published as MR. ROBOT Review on Seat42F.

USA’s latest series is MR. ROBOT, a conspiracy theory tale of the digital age. In a world where corporations can gobble up holdings, the rich at the top acquiring more and more wealth and control on a global scale, it’s hard to gauge the true range of the threat or mount a defense against it. Who stands up for the average person, unaware of their life being bought and sold out from under them, and without the tools to fight back? Why, MR. ROBOT, that’s who. Maybe.

The first hour begins by introducing us to Elliot (Rami Malek, The Pacific, Night at the Museum). He is not the title character, but he is the most important. Antisocial and not used to expressing himself, MR. ROBOT uses voice over a lot to have Elliot tell the viewer what he’s thinking. It’s an effective tool, really taking us into his head and letting events unfold from his perspective.

Elliot works for a company he dubs Evil Corp, which hilariously is what it is referred to by every other player and even signage because Elliot says he has adjusted his head to always think of it that way. Elliot doesn’t want to serve The Man, but he’s there for his best friend, Angela (Portia Doubleday, Mr. Sunshine). To ease his conscience, since he’s protecting the bad guys all day with his super cyber security skills, he moonlights as a vigilante, taking down one scumbag at a time.

Enter Mr. Robot (Christian Slater, Breaking In, Archer, etc.). Mr. Robot is a mysterious, smooth man who offers Elliot the chance to bring down the villain from the inside. In Elliot, Mr. Robot has found the perfect tool to accomplish his mission, and he seems to offer Elliot the perfect way to right the wrongs of the world.

But is Mr. Robot whom he says he is? Because the show is told purely through Elliot’s eyes, we only see what he sees, and Elliot’s impressions are skewed. Mr. Robot can certainly talk a good game, and the way he plays Elliot’s recruitment is with superb talent. But how much do we really know about him? His work is only hinted at, and while he has a cool lair and a delightfully abrasive sidekick, Darlene (Carly Chaikin, Suburgatory), is what he is offering genuine?

On the other hand, the face of the villains, Tyrell Wellick (Martin Wallstrom, Simple Simon), is as obviously slimy as Mr. Robot is cool. He is exactly the type of guy you would think heads up Evil Corp, and he is smart enough to be a fitting foe for our bold but naïve hero. Is this reality or just Elliot’s imaginative way of sorting the world?

Because MR. ROBOT lives in the world of conspiracies, there are bound to be many, many twists. With Elliot’s specific and unreliable guidance, the viewer is immersed in an individual, and subject to the limitations of such as well, which makes for an unpredictable ride.

I LOVE the MR. ROBOT pilot. It has the huge, almost mythological, arcs and a hero’s journey, coupled with a somewhat unique and very modern sensibility. The tone is incredibly consistent, the main character is much easier to relate to than one would think such a person would be because of the incredibly detailed way in which he is written and performed, and the story sucks you right in. It’s exciting, it’s entertaining, it’s smart, and it’s far from business as usual in the television landscape.

Will MR. ROBOT find an audience? I don’t know. It is offbeat and weird enough that it can’t possibly appeal to even a wide majority of people. Yet, it has quality in spades and seems extremely well done in pretty much every aspect, from score to casting to production design. I can’t imagine that most my friends won’t like it as much as I do. I hope you will give it a chance and be similarly drawn in.

MR. ROBOT premieres Wednesday, June 24^th at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

"Departure" of Another ARCHER Season

Article first published as TV Review: 'Archer' - 'Archer Vice: Arrival/Departure' on Blogcritics.

FX’s Archer ended season five this week. Subtitled Archer Vice, it is a huge, splashy showdown, and a return to normalcy. The dictatorship in which the team is hiding collapses into itself, and probably would have even if the U.S. government hadn’t been bearing down on it, which it is.

At the same time, Lana (Aisha Tyler) goes into labor, of course, dividing the attention of Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), who has made the effort to become a doula and wants to be supportive in this situation. Archer and Lana’s romantic arc has been more funny than sweet. They are definitely in love with one another, but Lana is a tough broad, hating to allow any emotion to crack through her hardened exterior. Archer, by contrast, is an immature man-child who can be faithful, but tends to not act like an adult most of the time. Luckily, both have slowly gotten better, keeping enough of those cores to stay true to the characters and remain funny, but also exhibiting a level of growth over the course of the past few seasons.

This comes at an opportune time because Lana’s baby is also Archer’s. Not the result of a sexual hook up, Lana learned a cache of Archer’s sperm was frozen and she took some to make her child. It makes sense because, despite their issues, Archer is a fine physical specimen, and he’s someone Lana cares about. But one gets the sense in this episode that Lana did not intend to tell Archer the truth until she does, a raw moment for her after giving birth, and seeing that Archer is trying to be there for her.

Can these two move forward as a couple? Maybe. Archer doesn’t have to worry about the messy baby wrangling on set, being an animated series, and clearly the writers are going to find fun ways to use the infant, such as when she holds up a single finger to put Archer off while breast feeding. Archer is not a procedural and usually not stuck in any type of mold, so season six could find new territories to explore when two top spies have a baby on the hip.

It does look like they will return to being spies. In this season finale, Malory (Jessica Walter) blackmails Special Agent Hawley (Gary Cole, Veep) into cooperating, thus ensuring ISIS, absent during almost the entire thirteen-episode Archer Vice run, will return to form. It has been kind of cool to leave ISIS, this season being a big ol’ road trip with our favorite characters, who are always best when forced to spend lots of time together. But it will be great to get back to the office, as Archer is as much a workplace comedy as it is espionage adventure.

While I do note that Archer does kowtow to convention, this final episode of the season, more than most, actually doesn’t. A shoot-out as a regime falls and a main character giving birth at the same time feels very sitcom staple-y. Huge events are always mashed together inconveniently, especially at the close of a year. Yet, Archer‘s trademark humor and charm remains firmly in place, so while the story may seem dumbed down a smidge, the characters and dialogue do not.

The focus this week is on Malory, Archer, and Lana, all of them wrapping up their various threads, but that doesn’t mean the supporting players are ignored. Cheryl (Judy Greer) discovers she doesn’t have a chip in her brain, and her country music stardom, which she is likely to give up because she gets bored easily, comes from within. Pam (Amber Nash) gets a few last cocaine jokes in, but her withdrawal symptoms are starting to show, indicating a break away from the new her, too. Cyril (Chris Parnell) loses his position of power. Krieger (Lucky Yates) gets and protects a biological weapon. Ray (Adam Reed) has a few nice ne-liners, and recurring guest stars Slater (Christian Slater, Mind Games) and Juliana (Lauren Cohan, The Walking Dead) don’t go out quietly. The ensemble is well served.

Which means all there is left to do now is wait impatiently for another batch of one of the most consistently funny and original comedies on television. While no premiere date has been announced, Archer should be back in early 2015.

Love Playing MIND GAMES

Article first published as MIND GAMES Review @Seat42F.

ABC’s MIND GAMES is the network’s newest drama. Like most ABC shows, it isn’t really a procedural, much more focused on the drama between the characters, rather than a case of the week. However, there are some procedural elements to it, as the staff of Edwards and Associates will be working on a number of different projects as the weeks unfold.

Clark Edwards (Steve Zahn, Treme) is a bipolar genius who studies human behavior. Recently fired from his job as a college professor after having an affair with a student named Beth (Katherine Cunningham, The Playboy Club), Clark has been recruited by his brother, Ross (Christian Slater, Breaking In), to apply his skills to the real world, hoping to build a business that will make them both rich. The problem is, Clark is highly unstable, given to flights of exuberance that can turn potential clients off or ruin Clark’s own carefully planned scenarios, exacerbated by his inability to let Beth go. Only Ross’s ex-wife, Claire (Wynn Everett, The Newsroom), can keep Clark calm.

Now, for those wondering if having his former spouse around will drive Ross crazy, the answer is a resounding yes. After all, Ross has just spent two years in jail for fraud, and Claire is the one who turned him in, so to say their breakup is amiable would be a gross misrepresentation. Unfortunately, since Clark needs Claire, Ross is going to have to put up with her.

The dynamic and interactions between Ross and Clark are a highlight of the series. Zahn and Slater have been perfectly cast. Through the “Pilot,” viewers will be kept guessing if Ross is a good guy and if he really cares about Clark, or if he’s using him for financial gain, since we’re shown he’s a known liar and cheat. There are clues that point in both directions, and the simple truth of the matter is, perhaps both mindsets apply, which makes for a complex, interesting sibling relationship.

Claire’s insertion into the middle of this is explosive and very entertaining. Checking out the press website for the show, though, Claire is not listed among the main cast, worrying me that she isn’t long for the series. I think that would be a grave mistake, as even if the love triangle set up is familiar, it’s done in such an effecting way that it really makes the characters. Maybe she’ll be recurring throughout season one and then promoted if the show is renewed?

And renewed, it deserves to be. I’ve only seen a single episode, and I can still say that with certainty. Everything I’ve mentioned above is absolutely fantastic, well written and superbly acted. And there are other elements to the show, too.

For one, there will be individual clients, and since this isn’t a cop or lawyer drama, these stories can be new and different, taking a fresh approach to the scenarios. The “Pilot” opens with Clark and Ross in a meeting with a potential investor (Ron Rifkin, Alias) that is extremely amusing. Then it segues into the firm trying to help a boy whose insurance is denying him much needed care. This is a compelling narrative that will tug at the emotions of the viewers, and through helping him, fans will come to care about the characters.

It seems the ensemble is good, too. The Edwards brothers are joined by Megan (Megalyn Echikunwoke, The 4400), a wannabe actress, Latreel (Cedric Sanders, The Social Network), who has business acumen, and Miles (Gregory Marcel, Infinity Strategists), whose contribution isn’t fully defined in the premiere. The first two have a skillset that will certainly serve the firm’s mission well, and the entire trio have wonderful, character-defining moments that tell us who they are, very different personalities.

MIND GAMES doesn’t just have the makings of a good show, it already is one. It’s sort of like Scandal on a smaller scale with a little less soapiness. It’s intelligent and well produced, and I look forward to watching more.

MIND GAMES premieres this Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Breaking In breaks back into the airwaves

FOX's Breaking In, or breaking_in, as the title is sometimes written as, seemed canceled at the end of last year, but received a last minute reprieve. Fans who were elated at the news have had to wait a long time but new episodes. But that wait is over this week, as the second season premieres with "The Contra Club."

A new secretary begins work at Contra Security. Her name is Veronica (Megan Mullally, Will & Grace, Chrildrens Hospital, Parks & Recreation), and she is annoying, creepy, and a mess. But before the staff can begin pranking her, Oz (Christian Slater) orders them not to. Getting suspicious, the employees dig a little and discover that Veronica works for a company who Oz is trying to sell Contra to. When the deal falls through, the team breaks into Veronica's employer, and fixes it. Except, now they have to work for Veronica, who isn't pleased with their shenanigans.

"The Contra Club" is very much a transition episode, so it's hard to make a judgment call about whether the return of Breaking In is successful or not. Much of this episode centers on the "mystery" of Veronica's character, which is, sadly, not a mystery at all, because of numerous previews and press releases that spoil the twist. In this, FOX kills the suspense of the premiere, and the things that should be enjoyable about the episode are ruined. This is a marketing misstep, not a creative team failure.

Breaking In thrives on the interaction between Oz's team as they pull off jobs. Due to the story structure of "The Contra Club," the job of the week is short, and doesn't allow a lot of reveling in what makes the show good. Add to this the loss of Josh (Trevor Moore), and things don't quite add up to a great example of the series. Worse yet, Melanie will only appear in some of the episodes because Odette Annable is now starring in House, and Breaking In basically drops any romantic story between her and Cameron (Bret Harrison). So that's two out of the four team members MIA most weeks, and a big plot point gone. And Dutch (Michael Rosenbaum), who isn't in every episode of season one, but is fantastic when he is present, has also been dropped. One can assume that Dutch is no longer necessary because Cameron isn't going after Melanie, and Veronica is now the antagonist, though only time will tell if she will be a good fit replacement.

Luckily, Oz and Cameron's relationship, the other major element of the series, remains solid. Cash (Alphonso McAuley) also continues in his plum comedic role. So some things that are proven positives are still present.

There is a wild card that "The Contra Club" doesn't address. The other new main character is Molly (Erin Richards, the UK's Being Human), Veronica's long-suffering minion. She gets scarce screen time in the premiere, and almost nothing about her is revealed, except that she is sorely mistreated, and allergic to cats. How she will fit into the office chemistry is still a mystery.

When a series is pulled back from death like this, networks like to retool to expand the appeal. Unfortunately, in this case, Breaking In had a great formula already, and just needed time and promotion to help it, not changes made to the plot. This new presentation may be better, or it could end up being worse.

So was "The Contra Club" a great episode? Again, hard to tell with the marketing screw up. However, it does get the characters and story set up for what will surely be a make-it-or-break-it sophomore run. Ratings are up a bit for the show, though not as high as normal for the timeslot it is filling, so it will just depend on if an audience can be built as to whether Breaking In will get a third season.

Watch Breaking In Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

MORE: If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Catch up on streaming episodes of Breaking In. Click here to read every Breaking In review I've written.

breaking_in goes to "21.0 Jump Street"

     FOX's breaking_inwas recently canceled after a mere half dozen episodes, the last of which aired this week. The episode "21.0 Jump Street," which will serve as the series finale, found most of the team assigned to work for Mike Tyson (guest starring as himself), while Cam (Bret Harrison) is supposed to help a high schooler being cyber-bullied. But Cam finds the assignment harder than expected, and after asking Cash (Alphonso McAuley) to assist with a photo shop project, the situation gets even more complicated. The entire team ends up helping Cam right the situation, but as it turns out, the whole thing may have just been a nice present to Cam from his boss, Oz (Christian Slater).

     It is sad that yet another funny sitcom bites the dust without really being given a chance. breaking_in has a unique concept and a wonderful cast. Oz is the crazy, paranoid boss. Cam is a slacker hacker. Cash is the tech geek whiz. Josh (Trevor Moore) is an expert with disguises. Sexy Melanie (Odette Annable) can pick any lock. And Melanie's crazy boyfriend, Dutch (Michael Rosenbaum), is the wild card. Besides each member fitting into place nicely, with wonderful chemistry, Rosenbaum in particular stands out for making viewers forget all about his many years as Lex Luthor.

     Because there are no other sitcoms with a similar concept, its departure is a major loss to television. The premise is original and fresh, and the writing and acting are solidly funny. There are plenty of pop culture references, and zany, but not wholly unrealistic, situations.

     Even sadder, this marks the fourth project in as many years that has been pulled out from under Harrison, a very talented actor due to get a big break any second. The Loop is only vaguely amusing, but Harrison had a memorable recurring role in the second season of just-canceled V, and his star turn in Reaper, which criminally lasted a mere two seasons, should be remembered for years to come. Harrison picks good projects, that aren't given much of a chance.

     Plenty of sitcoms, much more poorly made than breaking_in, have gotten much longer lives. Currently on the air, Rules of Engagement, The Middle, and Two and a Half Men spring to mind. If justice exists, breaking_in will be rescued, as efforts are currently underway to do just that. It's a slim hope that the series may see a second season, but it's there all the same.

     The episode "21.0 Jump Street" is a great example of the series, allowing each member of the ensemble some meaty material, and so it is as good as any to end with. Cam returns to his high school and finds romance with a former classmate who has long harbored a crush on him. Melanie gets to try out high school for the first time, having been denied the experience by her grifter father. Oz plays things cool, and leaves viewers wondering if the whole episode is in service of helping an employee, or an actual job. Dutch gets to work through finding out that Cam has a thing for Melanie, but does not fall into predictable tropes.

     If you are so inclined, please write to FOX and ask them to bring back breaking_in. It deserves more time.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To purchase breaking_in streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: breaking_in - "21.0 Jump Street"on Blogcritics.

breaking_in "Pilot" pretty funny

     Most network television shows are winding down by this time of the year, or more accurately, ramping up for a big finale. But there are a few that, for whatever reason, didn't make the schedule until now, and are getting one last chance to succeed. Usually, these series air for less than ten episodes and are never heard from again. There are exceptions, such as Grey's Anatomy, that end up being runaway hits. Wednesday, FOX presented breaking_in, a sitcom that I find really funny, so I hope it's the next exception.

     The story begins with Cameron (Bret Harrison, V, Reaper) in his seventh year of college, easily hacking his way through school, and being paid to help others do the same. A man named Oz (Christian Slater, The Forgotten, My Own Worst Enemy), who runs a security company, catches Cameron in his illicit activities. Oz offers Cameron a choice: be exposed and go to jail, or come work for him. You see, Oz's company breaks into businesses for a living. They are not crooks, exactly, but hired to be crooks by their victims to test security measures. Cameron reluctantly accepts the latter option.

     Harrison is a comic genius, brilliant at playing the straight man forced into situations he doesn't want to be in. He's done it multiple times before, and he accomplishes it just as well as ever here. Slater, on the other hand, exudes power and threat with a glance, and is obviously relishing his role as leader of the crazies. His catch phrase, "I'll allow it," is uttered with a smirk whenever he catches one of his employees pranking another, even if the prank goes beyond the bounds of human decency, as they usually do.

     These are the two actors the show will depend on. One fairly fresh faced and new, the other experienced with an established following. Their interactions are some of the best parts of the episode, and there will definitely be a power struggle between the two as the series goes on. Cameron initially wants out, but by the end of the pilot, decides to stay. However, I do not see him going along easily with Oz's free-wheeling ways, so there are bound to be plenty of clashes.


     Joining Cameron and Oz in this odd job are Cash (Alphonso McAuley), a nerd obsessed with candy bars and hazing the new guy in outrageous ways, Josh (Trevor Moore, The Whitest Kids U'Know), a sometimes jerk and flaw(less?) character actor who vies for leadership, Creepy Carol (Jennifer Irwin, Eastbound & Down, Still Standing), an annoying office worker who sneaks up on people, and Melanie (Odette Annable, formerly Odette Yustman, October Road, Brothers & Sisters, Cloverfield), a total psycho whom Cameron is attracted to. Of course, she already has a boyfriend, with a personality more similar to hers, named Dutch (Smallville's Lex Luthor, Michael Rosenbaum). There are other employees; it's a big office; but none that got any attention or lines.

     Rosenbaum will make you forget all about Lex in seconds. He is unrecognizable with hair and an attitude. Moore basically takes all of the things he does well in his IFC sketch show and does them within a larger plot, a good use for the actor. Irwin is likely a recurring character, but her familiar face is welcome. McAuley is funny, and I assume Cash will be Cameron's best friend before long. Annable is everything you want in a love interest. She's generically sweet and attractive, but it's the flashes of insanity that will set her apart. Ensemble wise, the chemistry is great from the get go. Each different personality brings something unique to the table, which will help with varied assignments.

     As soon as Cameron comes to work at the company, Oz puts him in charge of a mission. Oz is very much of the "toss him in the water and he will sink or swim" persuasion, not a caring mentor. He hires the people he thinks will get the job done, and has little patience for hand holding.

     Josh takes offense, feeling passed over. I find that surprising, because Oz seems the type to give this test to any rookie, and Josh should have seen it before. Cameron also has a temperament that will serve him in a leadership role, as he listens to everyone and cares about people. Josh, on the other hand, will clearly let ego get in the way.

     Don't make the mistake of thinking Josh is dumb, though, or he would never have gotten the job in the first place. Josh subtlely tricks Cameron into stealing the wrong car in his first assignment. Cameron pulls off a complicated, tricky job with the entire team, but has done so at the wrong dealership. Josh does prove he's not a total tool, and Cameron shows his ability to handle difficult people, when Cameron gets Josh alone to help him fix the mistake. Cameron is not a pushover, as one might first suspect. During the second attempt, he just throws a rock through the window and runs inside. Hilarious.

     I think this series has some real comedy gems within it, and I look forward to more episodes. breaking_in airs Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Article first published as TV Review: breaking_in - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.

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