NOTORIOUS Bad?

Article first published as NOTORIOUS Review on Seat42F.

While we impatiently await the return of Scandal, ABC has another show on deck that is along the same lines called NOTORIOUS. It follows a lawyer, a TV producer, and the people around them as they manufacture news stories and deal with real drama, lying to pretty much everybody, and contributing to the public’s false perceptions of reality. It’s very soapy, and is certainly trying to be sexy in an over-the-top way.

Piper Perabo (Covert Affairs) stars as Julia George, the aforementioned producer, while Daniel Sunjata (Graceland) is the second lead, a lawyer named Jake Gregorian. The two of them don’t have a relationship, since Julia dating a judge (Marc Blucas, Necessary Roughness) and Jake is interested in his client’s wife (Dilshad Vadsaria, Greek). But because of the type of show this is, and because of the easy, immediate chemistry between the two, you just know they’re going to be dating, or at least screwing, before long.

Julia seems to be the colder of the pair, having no problem lying to and scolding her on-air talent, Louise Herrick (Kate Jennings Grant, Frost/Nixon), not that Julia has any room to talk. She also treats her new intern, Ryan Mills (Ryan Guzman, Heroes Reborn), poorly, although considering Ryan is thrust upon her through nepotism, I guess that’s understandable. My point is, we shouldn’t like Julia because of how she acts towards those around her, and yet Perabo just can’t play unlikeable so we end up behind her anyway (which is surely the intention of casting the actress in this role).

Jake is a little more sympathetic. Yes, he’s into a married woman, but he really does care about her and he’s at least hesitant about acting on those feelings. Through Jake’s interactions with his brother and legal partner, Bradley (J. August Richards, Angel), we see that Jake is a decent human being, even if his client, Oscar Keaton (Kevin Zegers, Gossip Girl), probably isn’t. So Jake is probably too good for Julia, but that won’t stop the show from pairing them anyway.

None of this in of itself is a bad thing. I’ve enjoyed many shows with similar ensembles and dynamics on broadcast network TV. In fact, most of the best primetime soapy dramas happen to be on ABC, including Scandal, so it seems like NOTORIOUS should fit right in.

But it doesn’t. The level of quality just isn’t there on this one. It isn’t the cast, who is across-the-board good looking and charming; it is the writing. So many things happen in the first hour alone to unnecessarily cause conflict that it stops feeling real and you’re taken out of the moment repeatedly. How unlucky can Julia be? Why must Jake have a young employee, Ella Benjamin (Aimee Teegarden, Friday Night Lights), who is so perfectly matched to Julia’s Ryan? Why does Louise have to be so lecherous, other than to get in the middle of couples and potential couples?

It’s also really hard to trust what we’re seeing when not once, but twice early in the first hour of the series characters reveal how far their lying goes to the audience. Suddenly, I’m not going to believe anything I see in a scene until it’s proven and backed up in multiple other scenes, and maybe not even then. NOTORIOUS shoots itself in the foot by making the characters so dishonest and then somehow expecting us to still like and trust them.

This type of show is something I’d be totally into, and in the past, I may even have looked past the mess and the flaws to give it a chance to grow into itself (cough, Revenge). But there are too many good things on right now to waste your time with a mediocre one that may never be that great (cough, Revenge), and NOTORIOUS, despite having a great ensemble, just isn’t ready for primetime.

NOTORIOUS premieres Thursday, September 22^nd at 9/8c.

GRACELAND Toes "The Line"

Article first published as GRACELAND Review Season 2 on Seat42F.

USA’s GRACELAND is back for a second season this week. The show that does for law enforcement what Suits does for lawyers, it’s one of USA’s best efforts, and it’s gratifying to have it back on the air after a very long hiatus. What’s more, while things have changed, all the familiar faces are back, and GRACELAND hits the ground running, kicking off some new, very interesting arcs.

As season one closes out, Mike (Aaron Tveit) accepts a job in D.C., his dream posting as he seeks to work his way up to a top position with the F.B.I. The season two premiere, “The Line,” picks up months later, with Mike settled into his new life, complete with a love interest. But Mike is not as happy as he first appears, and it takes no time at all before the plot forces him to return to the titular house.

Viewers always knew that Mike would have to be at Graceland again, a necessity for the premise of the show to continue, so it will be no surprise that the premiere lands him back there. What I didn’t expect it just how natural the writers would make it feel for Mike to return. He is not forced to do so against his will, nor does he go back because of a single reason. Instead, the complexity of life suggests a return as an opportunity he needs, and it fits seamlessly into the larger story.

Which is not to say that GRACELAND goes right back to a case-of-the-week procedural. Elements of that genre sprinkle the first season, and some stand-alone missions do pop up from time to time. However, GRACELAND is not a formulaic, stale series, and each installment does not exist apart from the others. Mike coming home is a much larger thread, one that has both solid reasoning behind it and implications for the future. It’s the start of something new, not just a reset.

In season two, the house has a new leader, and the entire team will be working together more. We have already been introduced to the characters, and while they do tend to help each other out, the fact that they represent different branches, such as F.B.I., ICE, and DEA, has necessitated separate stories from time to time. GRACELAND’s second season has a huge project that needs all of their attention, and Briggs (Daniel Sunjata) is not the one put in charge of this operation.

It will be interesting to see how Briggs handles taking orders. Very clearly, given his illegal activities, this senior agent is not used to playing by the rules or just falling in line. The current boss, who takes over in “The Line,” is not a new character, and knows Briggs well enough to come up with a plan for how to handle him. But can Briggs be tamed, even temporarily?

The dynamic is further shifted now that two of the housemates are hooking up. It is unclear in “The Line” if a real relationship exists or if two friends are just releasing pent-up sexual longings, but I would definitely lean towards the former. It seems unlikely that this couple is destined to stay together long-term, at least not without working through some major obstacles, but the development shakes things up in the house, even if it isn’t an obvious big change at first.

Of course, Mike does not return to all cheery smiles. He has earned the affection of his co-workers, which include Johnny (Manny Montana), Paige (Serinda Swan), Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito), Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren), and Briggs, but that doesn’t mean history doesn’t influence how they react to him rejoining, especially as his room has already been given away to a new team member. Will Mike only stick around long enough complete the assignment laid out in “The Line,” or can he truly earn a spot among these people, one that will last?

I kind of hope it takes Mike a few years to really feel like a full-fledged member of the group. He has connections, to be sure, and he isn’t a newbie, but there’s still a feeling of outsider status clinging to Mike. This may have dissipated by now had he not moved to D.C., but he did, keeping him at arm’s length from the others. This is actually a good thing for the story, as it adds a layer of tension that would otherwise not exist. Conflict is what keeps shows interesting, and GRACELAND has plenty of it among its central cast.

As if all of this is not enough, one of the group has undergone a serious personality change. It is not explained yet, but it is commented on, definitely a purposeful choice with more to it, rather than an inconsistency. The characters are too well-defined for such a slip, and instead, it could be another new arc just getting started.

GRACELAND is a great series and “The Line” is not only true to form, but a heck of an interesting way to start the season. Fresh episodes air Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET beginning this week.

DVD Review: ‘Graceland – The Complete First Season’

Article first published as DVD Review: ‘Graceland – The Complete First Season’ on Blogcritics.

The caliber of USA’s dramas has been steadily getting better over the past few years, and last summer’s Graceland continues that trend. A gritty crime drama, it has intriguing, layered characters operating in gray areas with long arcs, no goofy case-of-the-week stuff that used to be the network’s hallmark. Created by White Collar brain Jeff Eastin, and based on a true story, this show follows FBI, DEA, and Customs agents living together in a government-seized beach house that shares the moniker of the series.

The setting is very pretty. The house is impressive, with great views, and letting the characters spend time in the sand and waves is fun for the viewer, too. But there’s a dark edge to this location, too, knowing that it was once the site of some bad dealings, and this tone lives on today, underneath the surface of the friendly banter. While the housemates seem to get along well enough, there are some secrets that could unravel the whole thing. Perhaps keeping the name Graceland, which came about because of the previous owner’s Elvis obsession, is an intentional, constant reminder that everything is not as peaceful as it seems.

 

Our protagonist is Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit, Gossip Girl), a recent Quantico grad who requests an assignment in D.C., but is ordered to GRACELAND instead. The reason for this is that Mike’s bosses suspect grizzled veteran Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata, Rescue Me, Grey’s Anatomy), Mike’s new immediate superior, of illicit activity, and want Mike to find out definitively. We soon see that there may be some truth to the charges, and much of this first season is not only about the internal investigation, but also the shifting dynamic between the two men. What Mike will file in his report is not cut and dry, and he has to decide if Paul deserves to be put away.

 

Mike’s and Paul’s roommates include: Johnny (Manny Montana, East L.A.), the class clown and friend to everyone, who puts Mike through some affectionate hazing; Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito, CSI: NY), who has been undercover as a junkie, and is good with the makeup and mothering; DEA operative Paige (Serinda Swan, Breakout Kings), who does not appear in the pilot, but comes back in and befriends Mike; and Dale (Brandon Jay McLaren, Falling Skies, The Killing), the territorial customs agent.

 

If I have one complaint about Graceland‘s first year is that Charlie, Johnny, Paige, and Dale aren’t nearly as well developed as Mike and Paul. They all have their moments, of course, but this isn’t a true ensemble piece, with character development taking a much heavier focus on the leads. There is some tension between Mike and others, one of whom finds out what’s going on, but I look forward to an expansion of the supporting players in season two this summer, similar to how Suits began and then grew.

 

Story-wise, the pacing is a bit slow in some places, with twists coming pretty spaced out and the tension being more of a slow-burn than constant action. There is a romantic thread which is pretty cool because of the complications it causes. Smaller cases, tossed in from time to time in a Burn Notice-esque fashion where the characters sometimes shouldn’t help but can’t stop themselves from doing so,  keep it from being boring. Overall, it’s a pretty engrossing story, several notches above most USA fare, and has shown clear signs of not sticking to a status quo in the long-term, a promising sign.

 

This three-disc DVD release has all twelve episodes of the first season, as well as deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a ten-minute featurette on “The Real Graceland.” The latter is interesting, talking about the process of making the show and how the actors relate to the true source material. Ten minutes does seem quite short and the extra doesn’t go very deep, but its the only bonus of note included.

 

Graceland – The Complete First Season is available now.

GRACELAND Checks With a "Pawn"

Article first published as GRACELAND Checks With a "Pawn" on TheTVKing.

USA's Graceland has proven a steady, reliable draw all summer, doing for crime shows what Suits does for lawyer ones. That is, raising the genre to the next level with a smart, serial story, wonderful characters, and unexpected twists. With "Pawn," Graceland's first season may be over, but thankfully fans have a recently-ordered second year to look forward to.

The main friction in the titular house has been between shady Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata) and fresh-faced Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit). Mike has Briggs on the run as "Pawn" begins, close to having the evidence to put Briggs away once and for all. It's a great accomplishment for the young, talented officer, going up against such an experienced, intelligent veteran and winning.

But not so fast. Briggs hangs around town to catch Jangles (Vincent Laresca), who is posing as a Mexican federal agent. Briggs screws up in the take down, leaving both he and Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito) captured. Luckily, Mike, who is tracking Briggs, bursts in and saves the day. Unfortunately, once the crime scene is examined, Briggs is cleared of all charges.

Briggs uses Mike as a "Pawn," and as smart as Mike is, he still falls for it. Briggs leaves Mike the clues to trace him, as an insurance policy. Then, Briggs acts surprised and grateful for the rescue. Briggs is always several steps ahead, and while I do buy that Mike gets the drop on him in earlier hours, the season finale finds Briggs in control again.

As far as the CIA is concerned, Mike did his job admirably, and gets the promotion in D.C. that he wants, leaving Graceland behind. But for Mike, it's a disappointing failure, knowing Briggs is a guilty liar and manipulator, no matter what the evidence says. Sadly, he doesn't have the tape that can put Briggs away, which some kid is seen pocketing in a pawn shop at the end of the season finale.

Graceland is good because it builds the tension excellently, and creates a compelling tale of a hero versus a villain. Briggs can fool everyone, except Mike. But Mike is wise enough not to go at Briggs with everything he has, assuming he will lose that battle. Instead, Mike plays the long game, acting the friend for now. It's a dynamic we've seen before, but never quite in this manner.

At the end of "Pawn," it appears Mike has given up, as we see him in his new role, all the way across the country. But Mike misses the house, and it isn't long before Briggs gives him a good reason to return. Surely, this is the setup for season two, and while Mike may seem to go back at the behest of Briggs, it's clear that Mike will also be keeping an eye on his former boss.

The writing is great in that it makes this complex scenario convincing. Here we have two men who can see the game, the others around them more observers than players. Yet, like life, there isn't an easy quick solution that can occur in an installment or a season. This is destined to be a much bigger tale, one that Graceland deserves to get the chance to show us.

I don't know how well Mike will be welcomed back to Graceland. Paige (Serinda Swan) has a thing for him, despite Mike's outing as a rat. And Charlie will be grateful for Mike saving her life. Briggs wants Mike back for his own reasons, and Johnny (Manny Montana) should be able to get past his disappointment with Mike for the greater good. But Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren) has firmly sided with Briggs, making he and Mike enemies.

It's hard to tell if Jakes is a good guy or a bad one. He helps Briggs escape the law when Mike goes after Briggs, but "Pawn" makes it seem like Jakes owed Briggs a favor that has now been repaid. Will Jakes continue to work with Briggs to protect himself, or might he be willing to flip if Briggs keeps pushing him?

Why is Briggs encouraging Mike to return? Isn't he worried about the danger Mike poses to Briggs' freedom? Does Briggs think he can continue to control Mike? Or does he need help that Mike alone, who stands head and shoulders above the others, can provide?

One thing is for certain: the chemistries of Graceland are ever shifting due to circumstance. There will not be stability in the house as long as various factions clandestinely butt against one another. Friendships go hand in hand with rivalries, and betrayal is all part of the deal. It's an intriguing series that will likely undergo big changes in its makeup as season two and future years play out. As long as it stays as interesting as this has been, it is a welcome contributor to the television landscape.

Graceland will return next year to USA.

Welcome to GRACELAND

Article first published as GRACELAND Review on Seat42F.

Grade: 94%

In keeping with the trend begun by Suits and Political Animals, USA’s latest drama, GRACELAND, features fully-fleshed out characters in complex, compelling situations. Created by White Collar brain Jeff Eastin, and based on a true story, this show follows FBI, DEA, and Customs agents living together in a government-seized beach house.

The setting is very pretty. The house is impressive, with great views, and letting the characters spend time in the sand and waves is fun for the viewer, too. It’s a good time based solely on this, even if the series didn’t have much else going for it. But it has plenty more.

There’s a dark edge to this location, knowing that it was once the site of some bad dealings, and this tone lives on today, underneath the surface of the friendly banter. While the housemates seem to get along well enough, there are some secrets that could unravel the whole thing. Perhaps keeping the name GRACELAND, which came about because of the previous owner’s Elvis obsession, is an intentional, constant reminder that everything is not as peaceful as it seems.

The lead is Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit, Gossip Girl), a recent graduate from Quantico who requested an assignment in D.C., but was ordered to GRACELAND instead. The reason for this is not immediately obvious, but is revealed by the end of the “Pilot,” and should prove a driving force of the freshman year. Whatever ulterior motives his bosses might have, though, it takes Mike no time at all to prove he can hold his own against the veterans that he is now living among.

Mike’s roommates include: Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata, Rescue Me, Grey’s Anatomy), the leader of the dwelling and grizzled FBI veteran, who is highly intelligent like Mike, but for some unknown reason has been skewing outside the lines of late; Johnny (Manny Montana, East L.A.), the class clown and friend to everyone, who puts Mike through some affectionate hazing; Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito, CSI: NY), who has been undercover as a junkie, and is good with the makeup; and Dale (Brandon Jay McLaren, Falling Skies, The Killing), the territorial customs agent.

This cast makes for quite a strong ensemble. Dale isn’t really a part of the group, since he is the lone person in the list that isn’t with the F.B.I., but the at-home scenes are as entertaining as the crime fighting, providing a light-hearted comic relief in between activities, much as a real home does, and he is invaluable in that section. GRACELAND is where the characters can mostly relax, and it’s refreshing for us and them to take a break from being heroes from time to time.

In the “Pilot,” the plot involves Donnie (Clayne Crawford, Rectify), a DEA agent who makes a mistake and blows his cover, and his partner, Lauren (Scottie Thompson, NCIS). Mike takes Donnie’s room, and Laura isn’t happy about it. But then Lauren’s quest for revenge against the bad guys that shot Donnie ends up providing the fodder for the FBI’s mission, tying the two organizations together.

It’s a shame that Donnie and Lauren aren’t sticking around. Unlike Dale, they are central to this opening story, and provide an example of how the different agencies work together in GRACELAND. They have good chemistry with the others, and it would be funny to see Mike have to find someplace else to sleep if Donnie reclaims his room.

Instead, they will be replaced by DEA operative Paige (Serinda Swan, Breakout Kings), whom we have not yet been introduced to, and so it’s hard to know what she’ll bring to the dynamic. Swan also replaced a lead from the “Pilot” in her previous serious engagement, and so seems to be carving out her niche in the genre.

Also of note are Gerry Silvo (Jay Karnes, The Shield), the FBI agent in charge on the ground, though he doesn’t live in the house, and Sam Campbell (Courtney B. Vance, Law & Order: Criminal Intent), Mike’s boss from the East. These guys aren’t as involved as the others, but will be pulling their strings, and because they are played by fantastic actors who should be sticking around for at least a bit, are worth noting.

But all of these people aside, and as much as I like a terrific ensemble, GRACELAND’s success and draw lies mainly in the relationship between Paul and Mike. There are lots of layers to the interactions, and they are the two given the most backstory. They both keep this first hour very interesting, and I’m curious to see how this latest starring duo grows, which seems likely have a similar vibe to Mike and Harvey on Suits.

The main action does feel a lot like other USA shows, especially in the vein of Burn Notice. The main players encounter someone they can’t help but feel sorry for, Felix (Mark Adair-Rios, Love That Girl!), even though their job would be easier if they didn’t assist him, and they probably aren’t strictly under an obligation to do so. It’s the kind of thing designed to instantly endear characters to viewers, and even though the attempt is transparent, it’s done well and tied into larger arcs, and so works. The show also boasts a more serious version of Psych’s humor, especially when a movie cover story comes up.

GRACELAND has a lot going for it, from sharp writing to terrific acting to an impressive production. It is the total package, combining the best elements of other shows on the network, so it still feels like a USA series, but also providing its own spices to make it unique. I can tell after only a single hour that this is a series to set a season pass for.

GRACELAND airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on USA.