Meet AGENT CARTER

Article originally written for Seat42F.

MARVEL’S AGENT CARTER is Alias in the 1940s, so with a large dose of how women were treated in the first season of Mad Men. Set two years after the events of the main plot of Captain America: The First Avenger, SSR Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) has been relegated to a desk job that wastes her talents. But when Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) is accused of selling weapons to the nation’s enemies, he calls upon her to secretly investigate who stole his tech.

AGENT CARTER is not about the start of S.H.I.E.L.D., set prior to that organization’s founding, nor does it feature connections to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., at least not yet. Instead, the miniseries is its own thing, a self-contained mission seemingly designed to highlight Atwell’s talents and prove her worthiness to Stark, who certainly needs no further evidence. It’s not ground-moving to the Marvel universe, but it is enjoyable.

For those wondering about continuity, well, it works fine with Captain American, but not with the Marvel One-Shot, Agent Carter. In the One-Shot, which takes place one year after Captain America, thus one year prior to AGENT CARTER, she is rescued from obscurity by Howard to begin the organization Nick Fury will one day run. This hasn’t happened yet, and she’s still locked in the desk job, albeit with a different boss and co-workers than in that short. Toss out the One-Shot, or assume it happens at a later date, and all is well. Though, it’s a tad disappointing we don’t get to see Peggy traipsing the globe with Dum Dum Dugan and the Howling Commandos, picking up artifacts as glimpses in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. this fall.

Taking AGENT CARTER on its own merits, I like it. It’s a new take on the detective / cop / spy story, with Carter having to work behind her superior’s backs because they don’t trust or believe in her. She has a sort-of bumbling male sidekick, Stark’s butler, Edwin Jarvis (James D’Arcy, Those Who Kill), and when she’s not working, she has a gal pal to hang around with, waitress Angie (Lyndsy Fonseca, Nikita). There is character development when someone Peggy is close to pays the cost of Carter’s activities. Peggy’s adventures are exciting enough, and it’s fun watching her kick butt and brilliantly outsmart the villains, including Spider Raymond (Andre Royo, The Wire), Leet Brannis (James Frain, Grimm), and Miles Van Ert (James Urbaniak, The Venture Bros.).

AGENT CARTER is feminism in action without pounding you over the head with it. Sure, Peggy’s boss, Roger Dooley (Shea Whigham, Boardwalk Empire), has no confidence in her, nor do co-workers golden boy Jack Thompson (Chad Michael Murray, One Tree Hill) and bumbling Ray Krzeminski (Kyle Bornheimer, Perfect Couples). But Stark and Jarvis have plenty of faith in her, and her peer, Daniel Sousa (Enver Gjokaj, Dollhouse), respects her, too. So how people regard Peggy is more about them as individuals than the time as a whole.

Where the show gets most preachy is when we hear the Captain American radio plays, which paint Peggy as a damsel in distress that the hero must rescue. Of course, at one point this is interspersed with her beating the heck out of a baddie, so it’s more laughable bit than social commentary.

AGENT CARTER feels fresh, and it feels new. I think making it a period piece sets it apart from other network fare, and while the structure of show isn’t wholly original, making it one big story instead of cases-of-the-week keeps it compelling. I do wish it had been set in the early days of S.H.I.E.L.D., thus adding to the franchise as a whole, but it’s still a fun piece without that, and I look forward to seeing where the plot is going over the next six weeks. And maybe season two will satisfy that other want?

AGENT CARTER airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Go Team VENTURE (Fifth Season)

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'The Venture Bros. - The Fifth Season' on Blogcritics.

Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim produces a number of animated series for adults. One of my all-time favorites of these is The Venture Bros., a take-off of Jonny Quest all grown up, which recently released its fifth season on Blu-ray. The show doesn’t air on a real regular basis, so while season four finished in November 2010, what this single-disc set contains are two specials from autumns of 2011 and 2012, as well as eight episodes from last summer and a minimum amount of special features.

“From the Ladle to the Grave: The Story of Shallow Gravy” is the first episode up by air date, though you’ll have to navigate to the Bonus Specials on the menu to find it. It’s not a traditional installment, being sort of a Behind the Music take on Shallow Gravy, Hank (Christopher McCulloch) and Dermot’s (Doc Hammer) band. There is one pivotal revelation about a character in the special, though, so definitely watch it before the rest of the season, as it informs other moments later.

Also included in this release is the band’s five-track album, Jacket. All five tracks of Jacket are called “Jacket,” basically different versions of the same tune over and over again. But if you’re a fan of this musical group, you’re amply covered here.

Next up, the discerning viewer will have a choice to make. The second special, “A Very Venture Halloween,” actually occurs eleven minutes into the season premiere, “What Color Is Your Cleansuit?” This made for a very confusing holiday celebration, as viewers hadn’t yet seen the set up of the fifth run, in which several characters’ situations had changed, so if you choose to watch “Halloween” first, you may be a tad bit lost. If you really want to do things right, watch the first act break of “Cleansuit,” flip over to “Halloween,” then flip back. Once you get to the second break of “Cleansuit,” though, everything proceeds normally, so you’ll be all set.

There aren’t many shows I would argue are worth such efforts in order to experience the proper flow of the story. The Venture Bros. is an exception. While appearing to be a simple cartoon, it is heavy on continuity and the various players do experience growth throughout. Because of this, I would strongly urge you to watch it all, preferably in chronological order.

As the season begins, Doctor Venture (James Urbaniak) begins a new secret project. Things go horribly wrong, of course, and Dean (Michael Sinterniklaas) ends up right in the middle. It’s too bad Team Venture isn’t up to set the situation right, the group being overall pretty ineffectual since Brock Sampson (Patrick Warburton) left to join S.P.H.I.N.X. But it all shakes out OK enough that the plot doesn’t take up the whole season.

Instead, we get a series of zany adventures with all the familiar faces, including Sgt. Hatred (McCulloch), The Monarch (McCulloch), Dr. Mrs. The Monarch (Hammer), Billy Quizboy (Hammer), Gary, a.k.a. the former 21 (Hammer), and many more. A new secret group arises, a hero is born, an abomination is discovered, the past is dredged up, and various factions continually get in one another’s way. It’s all very complex, so it’s hard to summarize without giving anything away, but long-time fans should be quite pleased. New viewers may find the show too dense, and should start back in season one to figure out what’s going on.

The real disappointment is in the extras. There are audio commentaries for every episode, which is fantastic and rarely seen any more, but then there’s are some deleted scenes and that’s it. I’d really like to see some behind-the-scenes stuff, but I guess that’s harder to do with cartoons, there being no set to tell stories about, and the commentaries sort of fill that void somewhat.

As far as deciding between the Blu-ray and the DVD, there isn’t a strong argument one way or the other. The Venture Bros. is not known for highly advanced special effects, using animation that matches an earlier era, and the soundtrack, while fun, is not anything demanding the intricacies of full surround sound. Being that the images are digitally created, shades and colors are likely similar between the two. But if you like having the best quality available, as I do, go for the Blu-ray.

Overall, The Venture Bros. – The Fifth Season is a rollicking good time, and the quality of the episodes has not lessened five seasons in. This title is available now.

THE VENTURE BROTHERS Put On a New "Cleansuit"

Article first published as THE VENTURE BROTHERS Put On a New "Cleansuit" on TheTVKing.

After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, save for a pair of specials, The Venture Brothers finally returns to Cartoon Network's Adult Swim this week. In the hour-long season premiere, entitled "What Color Is Your Cleansuit?," Dr. Venture (voiced by James Urbaniak) ropes a bunch of college students into helping his team complete a ray shield in three months that the doctor has had years to deliver on. Unfortunately, unconcerned with the safety of his employees, Dr. Venture's project results in severe mutations and the formation of a new society.

The opening of "What Color Is Your Cleansuit?" is great because it reintroduces us to many of the major characters, taking us one by one through where they are on a typical morning. Some of the familiar faces have changed a little, so this sequence isn't all retread, and it's a good way to set up and kick start a fresh story.

We know that Dr. Venture can be callous, but this episode shows us all new levels of that characteristic. While previously we only see him being unsympathetic to a character or two at a time, here he is using a huge contingent of interns as fodder. Gary, the former 21, (Doc Hammer) remarks that working for Dr. Venture and working for the Monarch (Christopher McCulloch) isn't all that different, and now we see very clearly why. Both are self-involved and focused on their goals at the expense of others.

The difference is, the Monarch is learning his lesson. Throughout this season premiere, he pines for his departed 21, and makes a couple of attempts to woo him back. 21, it turns out, became more than just a lackey to Venture's archnemesis, and sorely in need of a friend, the Monarch seeks to regain the one he lost. Might this season see a flip between good and evil?

The Venture Brothers is nothing if not dynamic. Characters move on all the time, and seldom do things return to the status quo once they do. 21 is merely the latest person to find a new place in the larger fabric, now heading up, and being the sole member of, SPHINX on the Venture compound. While it's possible 21 will work with the Monarch again, he's certainly in no hurry to do so, and since he has become such a sympathetic personality, it's nice to see him on the side of good. Well, sort of good, considering Venture's recent ruthlessness.

Venture actually needs 21's help, though he'll never admit it. Team Venture has become pretty laughable since the departure of Brock (Patrick Warburton). I'm not saying that Sergeant Hatred's (also McCulloch) boobs make him weaker, but he does appear even less threatening because they look silly on him. 21 could be just what the Ventures need to keep their land safe from any intruders.

Being kept safe is a concern with this motley bunch. Hank (McCulloch) just wants to hang out with Dermot (Hammer) and avoid danger. Dean (Michael Sinterniklaas) is caught up in rebellion and new loves. Dr. Venture takes on dangerous tasks at the behest of his brother J.J. (Urbaniak). The Monarch is still launching attacks, although Dr. Mrs. the Monarch (Hammer) keeps them from being too lethal. And Billy Quizboy (Hammer), now a fixture at the compound, has a new archnemesis, which brings more trouble with it.

The Venture Brothers is always expanding their roster of players, and Billy's foe is the latest. I didn't like this one so much, but the benefit of having such a large cast is, even when a character is less than thrilling, we won't get too much of them. That being said, the new guy is a good pairing for the Quizboy, and it's nice to see an expansion of his role.

The story itself in "What Color Is Your Cleansuit?" is less important than the character development and gags, however, I still liked it a lot. It's well-thought out, mostly original, and sees Dean let loose in a way he normally doesn't. The two races concept is cool, and I love seeing how geek culture could explode into a society quite quickly. The ending might be a tad neat, but the genius behind the resolution should be commended, as it's both enjoyable and makes sense.

Also, the series might be going up in the world, as this episode features the voice talents of such performers as Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation) and Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show). Nice!

The Venture Brothers is now back on a weekly basis, thank goodness. Let's hope it remains that way for awhile, and no more years-long breaks, OK? The Venture Brothers airs Sundays at midnight on Cartoon Network.

Homeland questions "The Good Soldier"

     In the latest episode of Showtime's Homeland, "The Good Solider," Carrie (Claire Danes) secures polygraphs for everyone who has contact with the dead insurgent. Saul (Mandy Patinkin), upset about losing his wife, Mira (Sarita Choudhury, Kings), flubs the test. But he aces a retake the next day. Brody (Damian Lewis), on the other hand, the real target of Carrie's scheme, passes, too, but proves to her that he can lie without detection. The problem is, for Carrie to expose him, she has to admit to the drunken sex she has with Brody in her car, which she cannot do without risking her own job.

     The delicate dance between Carrie and Brody is certainly the heart of Homeland. However, even with all of the tension between them, their sexual encounter in "The Good Soldier" is unexpected. After all, Carrie is completely convinced that Brody is an enemy of the state. Why would she sleep with him under those circumstances? Is this the attraction of sexy evil? Or is it something more? Perhaps all of the time that she spends studying him has resulted in her seeing Brody as being damaged, as she is, forging an unlikely bond. For whatever reason, it is clear that the attraction is mutual, and the physical expression of it will likely continue.

     Brody's reasons for the encounter are much simpler than Carrie's still murky ones. Carrie is hot. Brody doesn't know about her suspicions. He is furious at his wife, Jessica (Morena Baccarin), after it is confirmed that she slept with his best friend, Mike (Diego Klattenhoff), when he was a prisoner of war. Brody may be looking for a little revenge. Carrie is flirty and willing and very hot, so why not? In this manner, perhaps Brody can even justify to himself that he isn't being unfaithful. If so, perhaps he isn't fooling the polygraph after all, but telling the truth as he sees it. Morality is a subjective concept.

     Jessica and Mike's relationship is exposed at a wake for Brody's fallen comrade. It's something Brody probably thinks he knows anyway, but when a fellow soldier blurts the truth out, Brody is finally justified in punching Mike in the face. It's a complicated situation, because Brody had been missing so long, that few can blame Jessica and Mike for finding comfort in each other's arms. However, it's also understandable why Brody would be angry, feeling betrayed that, while he suffered as a tortured enemy combatant, his wife was fooling around with Mike.

     Daughter Dana (Morgan Saylor) understands this, and sides with Mom. Dana may give Jessica lots of crap, as teenage daughters are wont to do. But when Brody obviously behaves immaturely, and cannot see past Jessica's indiscretion, Dana gives him the cold shoulder. This is not an argument that Brody is destined to win in his daughter's eyes. Too bad, because Dana and Brody actually have quite a nice relationship, prior to this scene.

     But whatever is going on between Brody and Carrie, the result of all this drama, remains ambiguous. Which is why Homeland is one of the most intriguing series on television. It's impossible to pin down these two leads, or prove which shade of gray is the correct one.

     Another big reveal with the polygraph experience in Homeland is that the CIA now knows that Carrie is taking illegal drugs while in their employ, and lies about it. What will the consequences of this be? Might she be fired? Suspended? If she thinks she is having trouble getting support for her theories now, wait until her drug abuse comes to light! This will be catnip to David (David Harewood), who still blames Carrie for ruining his marriage, at least partly, and is also mad because the way thatCarrie gets the polygraph approved embarrasses him.

     Saul's own story in "The Good Soldier" is heartbreaking. He is swamped with a national emergency, hunting down a terrorist on the run, but also has to deal with a crumbling marriage. Saul is willing to give up his life in the States and follow Mira to India, but that's not what she wants. She feels they have grown apart, and are now closer to friends than lovers. She wants to move on. Even worse, they both see the facts of their current living situation the same, but while Saul thinks it's heaven, Mira sees it as a failure. This is a case of two different people no longer wanting the same things.

     And then there's the nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, as unlikely as it seems, Saul is working with the terrorists, too. This could be horrible, but the seed is planted in his polygraph, and it's impossible to shake it until proven otherwise.

     A review of "The Good Soldier" is not complete without touching on the funeral scene. Brody tries to speak a eulogy, but finds himself at a loss for words. Whether that is because of guilt in the role he plays in his friend's torture, or because he is just really choked up with grief, is inconsequential. Brody breaks the silence with a roll call, highlighting the missing man. It's an extremely moving moment, one on par with the saddest scenes ever in film. This is brilliant, and kudos are much deserved to whoever came up with, and executed, this idea.

     The final story in this week's Homeland involves two terrorists on the run. For some reason, it is very hard to find the actors who play these two online in the usual sources, but their plot is almost directly ripped from 24, a beloved, much missed show. The guy keeps urging the girl to turn themselves in to the government. He argues it will save their lives, but she is insistent that they stay on the run. Of course, he is the one that is actually gunned down, while she escapes through the bathroom window. Will seeing him lying in a pool of his own blood finally convince her to take his advice? And what is their connection to the larger arcs?

     Plus, the polygraph guy is played by Dr. Venture (The Venture Brothers) himself, James Urbaniak! Awesome!


     Do not miss Homeland, airing Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as TV Review: Homeland - "The Good Soldier" on Blogcritics.

The Venture Brothers halfway through second half of season four

     If you thought the title of this article sounded a bit convoluted, it gives you a little bit of an idea of the humor of Cartoon Network's The Venture Brothers.  Part of Adult Swim, The Venture Brothers has produced four seasons in the last six years, including the 16 episode fourth season, which was split between last fall and this one.  It's a long wait between installments, but as the half hour animated episodes are among the best animation on television, it's well worth the wait.

     Tonight airs the fourth episode of this fall, leaving only four more weeks until the season finale.  So far, plenty has happened in the Venture continuum.  After the absence of Brock Samson (voiced by Patrick Warburton, Family Guy, Seinfeld, Rules of Engagement) for most of last year, the former Venture family bodyguard is back, working secretly at a the back of the Venture compound for his former boss.  Their group is called S.P.H.I.N.X., and hilariously, Hank (Christopher McCulloch) and Dean (Michael Sinterniklaas) kept finding them, and their memories have been erased, leading to some serious brain damage.

     The brothers themselves have now graduated high school (a.k.a. their beds), and are trying to figure out their place in the world.  Hank went through quite a bit of a rebellious stage when Brock left, but he's settling down now.  This past week, Hank and Dean staged the kidnapping of their father, Dr. Venture (James Urbaniak).  Don't worry, it was just to make him feel better.  But the good Doc admitted to Hank, without knowing it was son, that he saw a lot of himself in the boy, and was sad that he would probably end up having the same life as his father.  It was a rare touching moment in a series known for it's funniness, but not unheard of.  Unlike most cartoons, The Venture Brothers is fairly serial, with events changing circumstances from episode to episode, rather than resetting everything back to status quo at the end of the half hour.

     The related plot going on this week involved a former henchmen kidnapping heroes and villains alike and forcing them to fight for his amusement.  Billy Quizboy (Doc Hammer), Pete White (McCullough), S.P.H.I.N.X. agent Shoreleave, and the Monarch's Henchman 21 (Hammer).  21 has been undergoing quite a metamorphis since losing his best friends, 24 (McCullough) last year.  The two have been developed as full-fledged people, not just the nameless, numbered sidekicks, and 21 took 24's death hard.  He still carries around his friend's skull and talks with it, ala Yoric in Hamlet.  21, though, has also become quite a formidable foe, at times running the Monarch's organziation, and he was the key player in freeing all those who has been kidnapped.

     If you have not been watching The Venture Brothers, now would be a good time to jump into it.  As I said, it is serial, but it's still amusing, even if you don't know all of the background.  The Venture Brothers airs on Cartoon Network Sunday nights at 11:30pm, and reruns the episode throughout the week.

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