Not TAKEN With This One

Article first published as TAKEN Review on Seat42F.

Tired of the trend of movies turned into television shows yet? Me, too, but that doesn’t mean the networks are going to stop trying any time soon. Tonight, NBC jumps in with TAKEN, a prequel to the movies bearing the same title. Well, sort of a prequel because the technology used by the characters is from our present day, not set in the past. But character-wise, this is the back story for the lead guy.

TAKEN the series begins with Bryan Mills (Vikings’ Clive Standen taking over for Liam Neeson) out of the special forces, but not yet working for the CIA. He has done things that have made some people mad, terrorists mostly, and they want revenge. So the people that Bryan cares about are put in danger as his past catches up with him in violent ways. Yep, consistent with the big screen Mills.

This violence is the core of TAKEN, as far as I can tell. In the first hour alone, I’d estimate almost half of it involves sneaking around, fighting, and shooting. From the adrenaline-pumping, tragic opening, to the climactic showdown, this is, by and large, a popcorn adventure, with much more focus on action than on character development.

In fact, while there are some character moments in this pilot, I would argue that there really isn’t any notable character development in the first episode, nor will I expect to see any in future episodes. Bryan seems more or less the same person at the beginning as he is at the end, and will remain roughly the same individual in the films. There is a very stagnant consistency that is disappointing. It would be far more interesting to see Bryan grow into a badass than to have him ready-made this way. Though, given his established background, I guess TAKEN would have to start much earlier in his story to do that kind of arc.

While everything is happening to Bryan and he’s running around, the perspective does frequently switch back to Christina Hart (Jennifer Beals, The L Word, Flashdance) and her CIA team. They are watching Bryan, trying to decide when and if they should recruit him. Given that Beals and several of the others are listed as main players, it should be no surprise that they make a decision in the affirmative pretty quickly; Bryan has to join them before things can really start. But the inclusion of the various team members that make up the core ensemble indicate that TAKEN will be a series of procedural missions, the obvious way to go with this series, and a format TV definitely does not need any more of.

I will say, given that TAKEN is on NBC, rather than CBS or FOX, it does feel a little less formulaic than it otherwise might. NBC doesn’t typically box in their series so stringently, and that does come across in episode one. There are also some shades of the network’s Hannibal (a beautiful, brilliant show that is the exception to the bad adaptation rule) in the tone and style, though that comparison only hurts TAKEN, as it doesn’t live up to that other work by any measure. But what I’m saying is, while TAKEN isn’t good, it could be worse if airing elsewhere.

The best thing that could happen to TAKEN is a quick death. It doesn’t appear it’ll be one of the greats, and the last thing we need is another mediocre series. A fair number of people like the movies (not myself, but I know a few), so why not let those stand on their own for what they are instead of tainting them with a lackluster pseudo-prequel? It would be a mercy to the fans and viewers in general for this to get yanked quickly.

TAKEN premieres tonight at 10/9c on NBC.

"Prayer" for VIKINGS

Article first published TV Review: 'Vikings' - 'The Lord's Prayer' on Blogcritics.

History’s Vikings tied up its second season recently with “The Lord’s Prayer.” Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) is finally home, surrounded by his loved ones, the raiding and wars taking a pause. However, it’s in his own village, the place where he feels most safe and comfortable, in which the most deadly danger may lie. His ally, King Horik (Donal Logue) has grown jealous of Ragnar’s expanding power, and working with a couple of those closest to Ragnar, decides to remove a potential rival for good.

King Horik’s turn is disappointing, but not unexpected. Horik is always weary of those who threaten his position, and Ragnar, a lowly earl, is respected and listened to more than Horik. Horik has become the junior partner in their arrangement, and that’s not a position Horik wants to be in. Viking society is brutal and bloody, a structure built on strength, and Horik does what any viking king would in his position – he tries to murder Ragnar and all his heirs (to prevent anyone seeking revenge or rallying people around a martyr in the future).

Unfortunately for Horik, he underestimates Ragnar, and it’s Horik and his family who end up slaughtered. Horik should know better, having spent extended amounts of time with Ragnar. While Horik doesn’t understand Ragnar very well, he has seen what Ragnar can accomplish, and what happens to those who don’t grant Ragnar the respect he has earned. It is understandable that Horik makes this fatal mistake, but it’s also one that, in retrospect, he should have been prepared for.

The one character that has been feeling inconsistent to me lately is Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård). Floki is a most loyal friend to Ragnar in season one, but in the second year, he inexplicably pulls away, cozying up to Horik instead. As I watched “The Lord’s Prayer,” I was already writing the review paragraph in my head arguing that Floki’s turn could be explainable, but without his motivations explored, feels weak. And then, Vikings reveals that Floki has never shifted loyalties, simply acting as a spy for Ragnar, which explains why Ragnar has not moved to save or severe his ties to Floki.

This does succeed at truly surprising, as does the fake death of Torstein (Jefferson Hall) and the loyalty of Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig). Siggy will sway whichever way the wind blows, or so I surmised, so she either knows about Ragnar’s plans to stop Horik, or she has more moral fiber than I give her credit for, staying true to her people rather than taking Horik’s bribe. Either way,  I appreciate the writing and plot structure Vikings delivers in its finale, as well as keeping the tale at home, among the major players, rather than abroad.

One of the best scenes in this adrelaine-charged episode is when Ragnar quietly prays with Athelstan (George Blagden). Ragnar’s curiosity for all things outside of his frame of reference is one of his greatest assets, and his friendship with Athelstan, a foreigner himself, is touching. Seeing the two of them together here, after Athelstan finally returns to the fold, is a moving moment.

It also must be said that the strange dynamic between Ragnar, his current wife, Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland), and his ex-wife, now an earl herself, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), is somehow working. Lagertha is right to go away initially, not being the type of share her man quietly. But after some bad experiences in the outside world, she returns to the man who is (mostly) good to her. She may not share Ragnar’s bed any longer, but is as important to him as ever. I’ll bet there will be some more development for her next season, and it could go any number of different ways.

One thing that may be lacking in season two is the death of a main character. Vikings is a very action-intensive show, and people are frequently killed. Season one is full of that, including when Ragnar unseats his predecessor. Season two dances around it, with Torstein’s fake and Rollo’s (Clive Standen) grievous injuries, but never goes there. In a series of this nature, it feels inauthentic that all of the major parts should continue year after year, and if no one perishes in season three (Siggy and Rollo probably being the most expendable at this point), the danger of the series may start to bleed away.

Still, for a show that teaches loose history loosely, Vikings continues to deliver as a compelling, interesting, informative adventure week after week. I am surprised that History Channel’s first foray into scripted programming is doing so well, but I admit really getting into this show, even forgetting about the uneven accents in most installments. I look forward not only to the further telling of Ragnar’s story, but also the next project History launches.

Vikings has been renewed and will return in 2015.

"Brother's War" on VIKINGS

Article first published as "Brother's War" on VIKINGS on TheTVKing.com

History's VIKINGS begins its second season this week with "Brother's War." Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) faces much upheaval as members of his own family turn away from him. But at least his career as a raider is going well, as both King Horik (Donal Logue) and Jarl Borg (Thorbjørn Harr), both powerful leaders themselves, get on board with Ragnar's plan to sail to new lands.

I have to wonder how good a leader Ragnar will end up being. He can inspire loyalty in his friends and foes, to be sure, but has a major blind spot when it comes to family. He refuses to even consider that his brother, Rollo (Clive Standen), might betray him until Rollo shows up with an army. Ragnare doesn't believe his wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), is leaving him, even after he catches her packing and she says she's going, until she rides away. His son, Bjorn (Nathan O'Toole), is disgusted by Ragnar's treatment of Lagertha and chooses to go with his mother. If Ragnar can't get his relations in line, what hope does he have with anyone else?

It is a bit odd that no one seems to question Ragnar regarding these desertions. The other vikings all still trust him and follow him. Could it be that, in this time and place, the culture is so different from our current frame of reference that this doesn't matter? I mean, if a political leader these days had falling outs with his family, it would impact his or her career. For Ragnar, this doesn't seem to be the case at all. He doesn't fight their leaving, and I guess because no one sees him losing something he wants to hang onto, he doesn't come across as pathetic.

Not that Ragnar doesn't have a few things going for him. For one, he has been very successful with his missions, winning soldiers because he keeps bringing his men wealth. For another, he seems to have won the heart of the beautiful Princess Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland), who hails from legendary stock, and is now carrying his baby. Aslaug even seems willing to share Ragnar, though Lagertha will have no part of it. So Ragnar isn't without strength.

There are moments, though, when he truly shines. Witnessing Ragnar's goodbye to his little girl, who died while he was away, is heartbreaking. Unlike in other moments, it doesn't make Ragnar soft to show emotion, finding power in his feelings. The aforementioned blind spot comes from a place of great love, and Ragnar will use that love to drive him forward. 

I guess one thing that bothers me a bit about Vikings is that the character of Ragnar seems a little unrealistic and half-formed. Is he a warrior of legend, or someone who has a rocky personal life? It's not that he can't be both, it's just that Rangar's faults are weaknesses that it's hard to understand his fellows looking past, so it makes the character seem poorly constructed.

Rollo has a similar issue, first turning on Ragnar, then begging his forgiveness. He's willing to die for his sins, but also ready to serve again. Some characters briefly complain about Rollo's pardon, and since Ragnar is not the one who gives it, the sentence being commuted by The Lawgiver (Morgan C. Jones), one is left wondering why Rollo isn't executed and how he can be accepted back into the group?

Unless both of these are just a matter of a race of people living by such different laws and codes that it's hard for a modern mindset to understand. I admit finding many of the motivations and attitudes of the players strange, and that contribute to an overall lack of comprehension. Ragnar couldn't act like this today, but maybe, for the vikings of old, his behavior is perfectly acceptable.

The installment itself is pretty good. I like the battle scenes, appropriately long and action-packed, with real, deadly consequences. The sets and costumes still look cool, and the pacing is quick enough. I'm interested to see how things will play out. Even when I don't think some of the characters are developed well enough, the narrative is still intriguing and entertaining.

Vikings airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on History.

Invaded By VIKINGS

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Vikings - The Complete First Season' on Blogcritics.

The History Channel is not known for doing scripted fare, having barely aired any, so it was with hesitance I checked out its first drama series, Vikings, last spring. The show, which follows real-life legend Ragnar Lodbrok (Travis Fimmel, The Beast) and his family and friends, exaggerated for both effect and because the Vikings didn’t keep good records, so the actual events are somewhat disputed, is quite good. It has action and violence, sure, but also character development, questions of morality in a different time and place, and some really surprising twists. The Complete First Season was recently released on Blu-ray and DVD.


Ragnar himself is a hero, loyal to his friends, but with a bit of a selfish, caddish quality to him, disobeying the orders of his leader Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment). The Earl would like Ragnar to continue to sail west, as their people have done for awhile now, but Ragnar complains that the west has been stripped barren and would like to go east, into the unknown. Ragnar secretly commissions his eccentric pal Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard, Evil) to build a boat, gathers some followers, and heads east, anyway.

There are repercussions for Ragnar’s actions; he isn’t allowed to just go ahead and defy Earl Haraldson. Yet, Ragnar is also right, the kingdoms of England are ripe for looting, which we see when Ragnar lands in King Aelle’s (Ivan Kaye, The Borgias) territory. And so, an epic showdown is set for the two great men, Ragnar and Haraldson, which comes to a head even before the end of the season.

Vikings is very fast-paced. Besides the struggles with Haraldson and the battles with Aelle, we are also introduced to King Horik (Donal Logue), who rules over the various Earls, and Ragnar travels to the land of another Earl, as well as his people’s religious temples. This, in only nine episodes.

All of this travel means lots of settings, which makes the show feel very big. The landscapes, filmed in Ireland, are absolutely gorgeous and timeless, with the buildings detailed and perfectly fitting into the wilderness. Add to this elaborate costumes and Vikings is a visually amazing production.

Which is why I recommend going for the Blu-ray version. In the dark, rainy scenes, or the murky halls lit only by fire, you’re going to want that extra crispness to really see what’s going on. Plus, it allows you to be impressed with all of the work that went into fully realizing this world. Sound is not as vital, with the soundtrack appropriate, but not itself usually stand-out. However, it’s well mixed, and hearing dialogue amidst the cacophony of other noises is not difficult.

There is also a lot of personal and family exploration. Ragnar is married to a warrior named (Katheryn Winnick, Bones), with whom he squabbles, but loves deeply. They have two children, Bjorn (Nathan O’Toole, The Borgias) and Gyda (Ruby O’Leary), the latter of which is a gentle soul, and the former wants to take after his parents. Ragnar also has a brother, Rollo (Clive Standen, Camelot), who sticks by his sibling, but also may not be entirely satisfied in a subservient role. Further complicating matters, Rollo is in love with Earl Haraldson’s wife, Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig, Glee).

Perhaps the most interesting part in the show is that of Athelstan (George Blagden). A priest Ragnar captures on a raid, Athelstan becomes part of Ragnar’s family as a slave who begins to question his own faith. Athelstan is the window into this strange world; will he be able to make a life among the savages?

The acting isn’t bad. At times it gets a little flat and cheesy, and there is never a consistent accent for the Vikings themselves, even sometimes among the same character. Yet, for the most part, I found it a thoroughly enjoyable, engrossing world. Vikings isn’t a completely realistic take on things, anyway, with supernatural elements, mostly involving The Seer (John Kavanagh, The Tudors), and this allows a little leeway in the believability of the players, too.

The three-disc set has the sort of special features you might expect for a series television Blu-ray. There are deleted scenes and commentaries on some of the episodes, of course. Every episode offers an extended version, but don’t seem to be much longer than the aired versions. There are also a few featurettes. My favorite is “Birth of the Vikings,”  a 20-minute look at the making of the show. It includes interviews with many of the key people in the production, and a discussion on how the show came together.

Vikings: The Complete First Season is available now.

Vikings has arrived

Article first published as VIKINGS Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 92%

History Channel enters the foray of original series with VIKINGS, premiering this Sunday, March 3rd at 10 p.m. ET. Set in Scandinavia during medieval times, around 800 A.D., the show follows real-life Viking, and subject of myth and lore, Ragnar Lodbrok (Travis Fimmel, The Beast), as he challenges what he considers an unfit ruler and expands the reach of his people.

The show opens at the end of a great battle, with Ragnar and his brother, Rollo (Clive Standen, Camelot), surveying the bodies on the battlefield. I do think it’s a little unrealistic when a thrown spear easily impales one would-be escapee. However, this scenes does a good job setting a tone of the series, and showcasing its hero in a great light.

In fact, this first episode is a lot of setup. Ragnar sits in council with his fellow Vikings, argues with his lord, consults a seer, visits a shipbuilder, and has sex with his wife, all to demonstrate what type of person he is, presenting various facets of his life. A good pilot introduces us to the protagonist, and over the course of the hour, viewers will get a real measure of what kind of man Ragnar is, a smart, ambitious, brave one, and what he has set his sights on.

Which is not to say that the episode is boring; quite the opposite. It may be a setup, but it’s also well made, and extremely interesting. The world the Vikings inhabit, as well as their morals and values, are quite a bit different than those of modern society. We are given a crash course, seeing the power struggles and their version of justice in action. Yet, there is movement enough in the plot to stay interesting.

Lest anyone worry these strange people will feel unrelatable to modern audiences, Ragnar’s family is given central standing, too. His wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick, Bones) is a fierce shield maiden, unafraid to show her husband affection, fend off two would-be rapists, and use a loom. But when she overrules Ragnar and makes their son, Bjorn (Nathan O’Toole, The Borgias), go to bed, even though Bjorn has just been made a man at the tender age of twelve by their people, it demonstrates that as much as things change, they also stay the same.

I am not familiar with Viking culture, so I cannot say how historically accurate VIKINGS is, but it certainly looks good. Filmed in Ireland, the sweeping scenery is impressive, and the buildings, costumes, and tools used look like they are from an earlier time period. It’s a little like Game of Thrones, and while maybe not at the same level of quality, not to mention comprising a much smaller cast, it’s similar enough that it’s likely to pick up some of the same audience, as long as they can be made aware that it’s airing.

Ragnar himself is the stuff of conflicting legend, and because of that, we can only guess at where the story is going. Sure, he and Rollo will sail east on a ship built for them by the odd and brilliant Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard, Evil), off to raid England and other new lands. And the current lord, Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment), will clash with our hero, proving to be a dangerous foe. But will see Ragnar eventually become king? Will we see his sons grow up to be warriors in their own right? Will we see his eventual death? Until more episodes air, it’ll be difficult to judge what kind of pacing the series’ writers intend to go for in these first nine episodes, let alone over the span of years, should the series prove to be a success.

VIKINGS not only looks good, but it’s also well written. As stated, the pilot really gives us a feel for the time period, locale, and the primary characters, but I also feel that even the supporting players give off a sense of completeness, rounding out the world, making it seem authentic. Haraldson may be evil, but we see his sweet wife, Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig, Glee), and a flashback to the death of his sons, and realize that there’s a story behind every action and motivation. The acting excellently conveys this mission, and I am already eager to watch the next installment.

My only real complaint is about the accents affected by the various characters. The episode begins with subtitles, with is cool, but I’m glad they fade away relatively quickly. However, each performer has a different take on what a Viking’s English should sound like, and even among each individual, looked at separately, that take does not seem to be consistent throughout the episode. Ah, well. Nothing can be perfect, and accents aren’t so important, especially when the thing wouldn’t have unfolded in English in the real world, anyway.

I have to be honest, I was skeptical to hear History Channel was dipping its toe into historical fiction. But if this is an example of what they have in store, teaching us about a culture and lesser-known hero in such a high quality way, I hope VIKINGS is only the first of many such tales.