Meet PATRICK MELROSE

Article first published as TV Review: PATRICK MELROSE on Seat42F.

Showtime has adapted the five PATRICK MELROSE novels by Edward St. Aubyn into a five-episode miniseries currently airing. Each book gets an hour to unfold, with a different chapter in the life of the titular character presented. Plagued by childhood trauma, addicted to drugs to help cope with his past, Patrick is anything but healthy. But at least he realizes that he’s in a negative cycle and would like to break free. Will he be able to?

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Doctor Strange) is excellent as Patrick. The actor has some experience playing eccentric, substance-abusing men, and only gets better with each iteration. He captures the subtlety of the emotional journey, and somehow keeps Patrick somewhat sympathetic, even in his darkest moments. This is important when the central protagonist is not very likeable, as Patrick isn’t from the moment we meet him. It’s a case study of a broken man, and Cumberbatch exceeds expectations.

Despite Cumberbatch’s work, though, PATRICK MELROSE is still hard to watch. It is hard to see someone you care about, as viewers are apt to care for Patrick, wrestle with their demons. It’s difficult to see a battle being fought and lost. It’s even more wrenching when one knows Patrick’s problems stem from things that are not his fault, and you desperately want him to be able to claw his way out of the hole, even knowing there is nothing you can do to help. It’s easy to identify with the supportive characters in the series. Except when it isn’t because of the circumstances Patrick lives in.

It’s interesting that PATRICK MELROSE reverses the order of the first two books in the series. Part two, “Never Mind,” is an origin story of sorts, taking place when Patrick is just a boy (played by newcomer Sebastian Maltz). With Cumberbatch’s version in the throes of withdrawal, flashing back to his childhood, the installment mainly shows us Eleanor (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Atypical) and David Melrose (Hugo Weaving, The Matrix), and how they fail as parents at every opportunity. It provides much-needed insight, mostly missing from the first part, “Bad News.” The omission means it takes awhile to really root for Patrick. And while the boy isn’t immediately recognizable as the adult, given a pattern of behavior merely glimpsed in this one weekend, it’s clear how he could eventually become so.

There are questions raised here on nature versus nurture. How much of who Patrick turned out to be is the fault of Eleanor and David? How much is he responsible for his own actions, now that he is out of their home and his own man? At some point, personal responsibility must kick in, but the man is operating at such a deficit that it’s hard to fault him for much of what he does, especially when we only see him hurting himself, not putting anyone else in danger. Not yet, anyway.

It’s sort of a problem that Patrick is rich. Without money, he could not afford to behave as he does. He’d be penniless, on the streets, begging for his next fix. Arguably, a poor Patrick would be a more important and common story. Instead, this Patrick lives relatively free of consequences. This gives him the space and opportunity to figure himself out, a luxury most people would not have. But it’s also possible such a tale wouldn’t play out under other circumstances, with an earlier, more tragic ending. Many viewers may have to confront a bias against such a person to try to appreciate the story.

The first hour of PATRICK MELROSE is hard to get through without having the understanding of the second, though it makes sense to get Cumberbatch out in front at the start of the miniseries. Still, even as the backstory is revealed, and amid terrific performances, the miniseries is a hard one to sit through. Patrick isn’t a character most people will relate to, and as sympathetic as his upbringing makes him, his wealth is almost used as an excuse, at least by the character. Bad behavior unchecked is also depressing. Whether it will be worth it in the end remains to be seen.

PATRICK MELROSE is currently airing Saturday nights on Showtime.

Your ATYPICAL Sitcom

Article first published as TV Review: ATYPICAL on Seat42F.

I hesitate to peg Netflix’s new series, ATYPICAL, as either a drama or a comedy. Yes, that’s true of a lot of shows these days, especially on premium cable or streaming services, but I feel like this one’s a bit harder than most. Pressed, I guess I’d say it’s a comedy based mainly on the running time, which clocks in at under forty minutes per episode. But it’s a very serious topic being delved into, and the level of discomfort in many of the characters keep this from being too funny.

At the center of ATYPICAL is a family of four, the Gardners. Sam (Keir Gilchrist, United States of Tara) is an eighteen-year old high school student with autism. His sister, Casey (Brigette Lundy-Paine, Irrational Man), looks out for her brother, and mostly ignores boys while she concentrates on her studies. Mother Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Weeds, The Hateful Eight) is unhappy in her marriage and considering an affair, while father Doug (Michael Rapaport, Justified) never figured out how to connect with Sam the way he does with Casey, though he loves both of his children.

Yes, this is a pretty typical family unit, and with some slight tweaks, could be a typical sitcom. What raises it above that is the cast, which is outstanding. Aside from Lundy-Paine, who is relatively new, the actors have a lot of experience, and including Lundy-Paine, a lot of talent. The clan feels very authentic, with complex, nuanced emotional feelings towards one another.

And yes, Sam’s autism is a big part of the show. How can it not be? It not only affects his life, but the lives of those around him, especially now that he wants to start dating. But it’s not the be-all, end-all of the show. There are other things going on, and even without the autism, this show could still exist (though it might have been a harder sell to Netflix).

Other series have started to put autism on screen lately; Parenthood springing to mind. I feel like it’s something not everyone understands right now, and getting to see portrayals of it on television is important. Familiarity breeds acceptance. While some may discount television’s influence on the culture, and while hatred does still exist, I feel credit is due to the small screen for helping ease racial and sexual tensions over the years. Autism doesn’t evoke the same strong negative reactions, usually, but it certainly can’t hurt for people to understand people with it a little better, whether you think it’s a disability or not.

The supporting cast is delightful. Amy Okuda (The Guild) plays Julia, Sam’s therapist, which I already see an obstacle coming from after episode one. Graham Rogers (Quantico) is Evan, a love interest for Casey. Nik Dodani is Zahid, Sam’s best friend. Raul Castillo (Looking) serves as a temptation for Elsa, hopefully one she won’t give in to.

I have seen reviews for ATYPICAL that range from praising it for being the best Netflix show ever, to those who find it offensive or trite. Thankfully, most are positive, and while I wouldn’t go so far as that first reviewer I mentioned, I would say it’s a solid addition to the service’s lineup. It’s fresh, surprising for a series that looks pretty standard on paper, and as mentioned, the cast is excellent. The direction and production value are good, and I became emotionally invested very quickly when watching the pilot. There is a healthy dose of realism without being gimmicky or gritty, and it has good balance for its leads and themes. I have no problem recommending this one.

All eight episode of season one of ATYPICAL are available now.

DVD Review: ‘Revenge – The Complete Second Season’

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

ABC’s Revenge continues its sweeping tale of a young woman determined to even the score with the people that destroyed her father in The Complete Second Season, now available on DVD. In these 22 episodes, the protagonist’s own past catches up with her, complicating her mission.

The Complete Second Season begins with the remains of a boat wreck, and then jumps backwards in time several months, slowly allowing the action to catch up to this devastating scene over the course of many installments. This is the same formula used in the freshman year, and unfortunately becomes less effective each time it is pulled out, an unwelcome trope at this point. Thankfully, it is only a small part of the larger story.

Season one ends with Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe), the series’ main villain, dead in a plane crash. Fans of the show could not stand for the wicked witch to be taken out so easily, and neither could the writers, so it will surprise no one when she rears her head again early in this run, alive and mostly well.

Victoria isn’t the only obstacle for Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp), the aforementioned leading lady, this season. There’s: the White Haired Man (James Morrison), a member of the Grayson’s social circle; Takeda (unfortunately recast, as Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa doesn’t look much like the original actor, Hiroyuki Sanada), Emily’s mentor who sends his pupil, Aiden (Barry Sloane, Hollyoaks), to keep Emily in line; Emily’s messed-up mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) resurfaces; and a variety of smaller players stand in Emily’s way.

Some have criticized Revenge for getting too complicated in the second season, adding in too many characters and subplots, distracting from the central arc. I disagree. Life is messy, and in a situation like this, there would be many moving parts, some unpredictable and coming in at inconvenient times. This makes sense.

However, Revenge isn’t as sophisticated or adept at juggling the balls as many other current series, especially those on cable. It’s bread and butter is gossipy, drama-infused, soapy interplay, which is does an adequate job at. When it tries to build a larger mythology, which goes perfectly well with the plot in theory, Revenge is lacking and isn’t quite up to the task. When it sticks to shifting loyalties, bed hopping, backstabbing, complicated romance, family secrets, and twisted friendships, it does quite a good job, most of the time.

Revenge is enjoyable, popcorn entertainment. Overall, the flow is fine, and there are some terrific, juicy moments, especially involving Charlotte (Christa B. Allen) and her parentage, and anytime Mason Treadwell (Roger Bart) shows up. Revenge may not be the highest quality show out there, but it mostly knows its own identity and can serve it well.

All of this builds into a startling climax in a two-part season finale that not only results in the tragic, regrettable death of at least one main player, but brings to a close a number of the year’s stories. It also allows Emily to refocus and decide what she wants. There is a cliffhanger, of course, but viewers should be left satisfied with this part of the tale, and be ready for the next bit when it premieres in September.

The bonus features in this DVD release are not as good as the first season’s. As usual, there are audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and bloopers. What the set lacks are any strong featurettes. There’s a bit on the score, which is interesting, but won’t interest a broad audience. The bonus about Ashley Davenport’s style will probably appeal more to the core fan base of Revenge, though wasn’t my cup of tea. Lastly, the book feature seems like an advertisement more than an extra to reward buyers.

In short, I’d say check out Revenge The Complete Second Season for the episodes themselves, not so much that bonuses, though there may be a piece here or there that you’ll enjoy.

Revenge is my "Destiny"

Grade: 86%

ABC left REVENGE fans a heck of a cliffhanger last spring – the death of Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe) in a horrific plane crash. As the season two opener, “Destiny,” begins, lights play over a wreck in the ocean. It looks bad, and based upon what viewers are hearing, survivors are unlikely.

But this isn’t Victoria’s accident. This is Jack’s (Nick Wechsler) boat, three months into the future. Is it smart to replay the same formula that worked for season one, where we saw Daniel (Joshua Bowman) apparently shot, and then, months later, found out that it wasn’t he who was dead? Well, it does provide continuity for viewers, keeping the tone of the show the same. But it could also grow stale pretty quickly after a few seasons. The tease technique is great, but one has to be careful not to overuse it.

It would be folly to try to guess who the lifeless arm belongs to that the camera glimpses in the wreckage. With plenty of story left to happen before the sinking, there will be guesses galore, and enough twists to keep the mystery interesting. One thing is relatively certain thought: it is extremely unlike that Jack is the one that is dead. And many fans would be thrilled if it turns out to be Amanda (Margarita Levieva).

Speaking of death, losing Victoria cuts the soul out of REVENGE. She is a fantastic villain, and the first half of “Destiny” feels empty without her. It looks like a few others might want to fill the vacuum she left, but they aren’t nearly as compelling, and would feel hollow in Victoria’s place. REVENGE needs Victoria just as much as it needs its lead, Emily (Emily VanCamp). They are really the only two characters who aren’t expendable.

Which is why Victoria’s survival is not a surprise. The press screener stops before that point of the episode, probably because the network is trying very hard for the fake out. In 2012, when this sort of thing has been done over and over before, surprise isn’t going to happen for many cynical viewers. Perhaps realizing this, REVENGE does not make the Victoria reveal the end of the episode, but rather, it is done in the middle to further the story along.

These elements do not come across as fresh and original. But REVENGE isn’t trying to break new ground. It’s trying to be the best soapy drama it possible can be, a guilty pleasure treat for the masses who like watching rich people backstabbing each other and quests for justice. REVENGE knows what it is, and delivers well enough on that promise to stay worth watching.

Now that we know Victoria is alive, the next question is why she stays in hiding, and what she is planning. She has help from the White Haired Man (James Morrison, 24), which explains why she didn’t die on the plane, since the WHM is the one who blew it up. Is Victoria a pawn of his, or a willing partner? If she is a pawn, how soon before she double crosses him?

The White Haired Man is an interesting character because it seems like he is brought into the series just to save the Graysons from going down. After all, for the plot to move along, Emily must make some headway on getting revenge for what happened to her father (James Tupper). If the Graysons were the ones behind everything, she would be frustratingly stalled for the entire run of the series, since Victoria cannot be taken out of the show without killing it. The White Haired Man is likely only the first of the shadowy puppet masters behind the scenes that Emily will face.

Emily herself is really struggling with this mission, having failed in the first battle. She has to flee to Japan for further training from Takeda (unfortunately recast, as Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa doesn’t look much like the original actor, Hiroyuki Sanada). But her head still isn’t in the game, having learned that her mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Weeds) was also screwed over by the Graysons, and is still alive. This clouds Emily’s judgment, and she sets off, unready to engage again.

Poor Emily. Her emotions are frequently her downfall, and it’s why, after a productive start, she keeps failing to reach her goals. We don’t want to see her grow cold, which is what is needed to get her revenge, as then she would become an unlikable character. So instead, we have to watch her fail. There just isn’t a way to win for the girl who has had such a rough life. Not that she’s going to stop trying. This builds an internal journey on top of her mission that makes her more sympathetic to fans.

Adding to Emily’s woe is that her love, Jack, is trying to move on with Amanda, who claims to be pregnant with his child. One has to assume that she’s lying because, if not, then Jack is going to be stuck with a woman he doesn’t love. It would be far neater if she is telling the truth, though, and he has to break free from her anyway. As Levieva has not been made a series regular, Jack should be able to succeed, sooner rather than later.

Will that mean a happy ending for Emily? Probably not. As much as she might be tempted to settle down with Jack, she is too tortured to let go of what happened to her parents. Even if she were to be with him, she would still be haunted by events, and would still seek retribution, which is not a recipe from which to make a good relationship. So perhaps it’s better that Emily can’t be with Jack, so she won’t hurt him.

Of course, there seems to be a lingering spark between Emily and Daniel, even though Daniel has moved on with Ashley (Ashley Madekwe). Ashley has her hooks into him for the status and the money, and won’t let go easily. But Daniel isn’t in love with her, and even though Emily broke his heart, he would still take her back, maybe even change for her. Love is his weakness, and it might also be the path to his own redemption. Emily might consider a reconciliation if Daniel decides he’s not his father’s son, after all.

All in all, a fitting return, if slightly disappointing in its predictability. REVENGE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Weeds is "Red in Tooth and Claw"

This season, the final one for Showtime's Weeds, the show is going back to its roots. With the Botwins living in the suburbs once more, surrounded by upper middle class opulence and the wisp of a normal life, there is nothing Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) wants more than to stay there. That's why, in this week's episode, "Red in Tooth and Claw," she tries to get out of the the drug business.

There is definitely something ideal about living this way. It's the American dream. Sure, one may have to donate a bit of money and kiss some butt, playing local politics, but that's far better than running from guns. Life here isn't dangerous. As Nancy watches Stevie (Ethan and Gavin Kent) play soccer, a happy, normal child, she knows that she wants to give him this life, as she has failed to do with her other two sons. The life she used to have, before all the craziness started, way back in the early days of Weeds.

Alas, wanting doesn't make it so. Nancy has forgotten why she got into the pot business in the first place - to support her family. She is broke once more, and has no prospective income coming in. Shredding the pot she does have is a dumb move. It's understandable, given how she just saw such a horrible reflection of herself in Kiki (Kat Foster). And sure, it helps Nancy go straight. But it also takes away the only thing of monetary value that she really has at this time. She may get the life she wants temporarily, but it will come crashing down around her soon enough.

Where might Nancy seek help? In "Red in Tooth and Claw" she finally meets the neighbor whose pool she has been secretly using. It turns out he is a rabbi, and thus, resists the sexual advance Nancy inevitably tries to make. It's interesting to watch her in this scenario, as she has a certain method to get her way, and a rabbi throws that off. But perhaps he can offer her some helpful guidance, at least spiritually. Then maybe she can be happy with what she has, instead of wanting to be with a group of people, meaning this rich neighborhood, that she doesn't fit into anymore.

Andy (Justin Kirk ) also gets a bit spiritual in "Red in Tooth and Claw." He is seduced by yet another woman, and wonders aloud if this might be a karma payback, or the work of a god who just likes to see him get laid. He does seem to get with a lot of people throughout the run of Weeds. This monologue is a great way to address that concern for viewers who have remarked how unrealistic this is. It's very tongue in cheek, which is classic Weeds style.

However, Andy's dalliance with the roller derby chick costs him a reconciliation with Jill (Jennifer Jason Leigh), whom Andy actually has real feelings for. As lucky as Andy thinks he is, there is a reason that he doesn't end up with any of the many women that throw himself at him. Getting sex is one thing; maintaining a meaningful relationship takes a different skill set. Andy is good only at the first, not the second, and his run with Jill may be over, sadly.

Yes, it's a little messed up that Andy goes after Jill, especially after all the years that he pines for Nancy. But Nancy was Andy's sister-in-law, so at least Jill is slightly more appropriate. Both sisters are a lot alike, so it's clear that Andy is attracted to the similar qualities in each. No matter how hard he tries, he probably won't get either girl, and there's scarce time left for him to find someone who actually appreciates him. Nancy and Jill would each benefit from finally fully committing to Andy, but that ship has seemed to have sailed. What will become of Uncle Andy?

Silas (Hunter Parrish) is at a crossroads. With his pot stolen because he isn't open to head from a guy, he has no stash and no job. Nancy has not yet told him about her desire to go legit, but will this be something Silas would even consider? Silas grew up with Nancy's illegal machinations, and that's the life he not only knows, but has chosen. He is lost without the growing business. It's really a blessing, though, because he should have noticed how destructive this life can be by watching his mother, and it's time for him to pick something else. Perhaps the only way he can do that is by being forced out.

Shane (Alexander Gould), alone of the Botwin family, has staked his claim on a worthwhile path. Funny, since he went darker than any of the rest when he murdered a woman a few years back. Shane has a good girlfriend (Daniele Watts), who is a positive influence on him, and he is fitting in very well to the cop world. It's heartening to see him making good choices, and to witness those choices pay off. As long as Shane doesn't do something stupid to screw it up, he's got his life made.

Part of the conceit of Weeds is that its characters are weeds themselves, the annoying plants choking out the ones you want around, ruining the landscape. Shane has turned himself from a weed into something better. What chance do the rest of them have in the short time that the series has left, as it will bow out permanently at the end of the season? Will they need to be pulled from the garden of life so that others can thrive? Or will they, too, find a way to not be as destructive as the term weed implies? Weeds has been a terrific show for many years, and I can't wait to see how it ends.

Weeds airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

For Weeds DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here. If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first posted on TheTVKing.

Weeds packs its "Bags"

     Last night kicks off Showtime's seventh season of Weeds. The premiere episode is titled "Bags," and it finds Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) being released from prison after serving three years of her term, said to be far less than half of her sentence. As season six ends, it's obvious Nancy is going to jail to protect one of her sons, but the series skips over the period of her incarceration almost completely. It is revealed that Esteban (Demián Bichir) has been killed in prison, and since Nancy is of no more use to the FBI, they do her the final favor of sticking her in a halfway house in New York City. Nancy asks her sister, Jill (Jennifer Jason Leigh), not to tell anyone about the development, but Jill doesn't listen, and it isn't long before Nancy's family is on their way to her.

      It's a shame there isn't some exploration of Nancy's stint behind bars, but the time jump does nicely set things up as fresh, with various characters moving in various directions with their lives in the intervening time, and what will come next is highly unpredictable. What is known is that Nancy has a plan to get back on top, and it begins with a cache of weapons she is told about by her cellmate.

     Nancy being involved in a lesbian relationship in prison is not unexpected, as she always seeks physical comfort and protection, no matter what position she finds herself in. As such, while the kiss between Nancy and the other woman is likely intended to shock, instead, it merely triggers a, "Oh, of course." What will be far more interesting is if the lover gets out of jail and searches for Nancy, who, outside of the prison walls, will most likely no longer want female companionship of that sort, especially not from a convicted felon.

     Another bump in Nancy's road ahead will be the aforementioned sister, Jill. From the short conversation they share over the video chat, it appears Jill is raising Nancy's young son, Stevie, as her own, and has no intention of giving him back to his mother. In fact, Stevie thinks Nancy is his aunt. This is not new behavior for Jill, who previously tries to "save" Nancy's other children. Unfortunately for Jill, Nancy will not take no for an answer, and at the earliest opportunity, she will try to reclaim her missing offspring. Knowing Nancy, she will probably succeed, but not before causing herself and those around her more unneeded trouble.

     A halfway house does not seem a natural environment for Nancy, the former pot dealer. She is not in her new quarters an hour before she engaging in illegal activities that most certainly violate her parole. The only real question is, how soon before Nancy makes a break for it, and has the law chasing after her again? Despite numerous bad experiences, Nancy is not the type to sit tight and wait things out for an indeterminate amount of time, and the chances of her serving out her time there are small, indeed.

     Shane (Alexander Gould), unsurprisingly, has things together the best when the series rejoins the rest of the cast, who have spent the past three years living in Denmark. Shane has a regular girl, though she dumps him, and is leading a life he enjoys, putting on shows with marionettes. It's also Shane who makes the decision to return to Nancy, and predicts that Uncle Andy (Justin Kirk) will want to join him.

     Andy cannot let go of Nancy, despite her many rejections of him as a romantic partner. Nancy's dead husband's brother, Andy has a fantasy that, because he serves as a father figure for his nephews, he will someday get to be their actual step-father. Nancy merely uses him and strings him along. Too bad, then, that Andy's reticence to return to the states upon learning that she has regained her freedom is token, at best. Even after having three years to ruminate on all of the ways Nancy has screwed him, not literally, Andy still is ready to rush to her side. He is, at heart, a very good guy, and Nancy does not deserve him. It is sad she will never realize that.

     Also accompanying Shane and Andy is Doug (Kevin Nealon). Despite being left behind by the Botwins many times, living with them in a foreign country for three years seems to finally have made Doug a part of the family. Though, they must not show it to him, judging by his surprise that he is invited along on the newest journey. Andy and Doug are good friends, but Andy puts his family first, always. Shane realizes that Doug is now included in the group, and it's touching when that is made known to Doug.

     Unfortunately, the same courtesy is not extended to elder brother Silas (Hunter Parrish), who has found work as a male model for some type of beverage. While it is understandable that Shane would not expect Silas to want to go for a variety of reasons, not least of which is Silas's extreme anger at his mother when last the two were together, it is also not kind to leave him behind in Denmark, either. Whether Silas wants to go to New York or not should be up to him, and the least Shane could have done is presented it as Silas's choice. To not do so is a sign Shane may have turned his back on Silas, a regrettable development for the brothers.


     Make sure you tune into Weeds next week as Nancy gets her boys back. The series airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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

     For Weeds DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Weeds - "Bags" on Blogcritics.