Does IRON FIST Punch Land?

Article first published as MARVEL'S IRON FIST Review on Seat42F.

MARVEL’S IRON FIST released today. The fourth in a series of Netflix shows from the comic creator, it is designed to set up the final piece of the quartet for The Defenders team, a crossover series coming soon. In an effort to get you a review in as timely a manner as possible, this only covers the first hour of IRON FIST (mainly spoiler-free), although all thirteen have been released.

We open with our hero, Danny Rand (Finn Jones, Game of Thrones), returning to New York City for the first time in fifteen years. Barefoot, dirty, and scraggly, Danny fits in better with the homeless denizens of the park than he does in the upscale home and office building of his youth. Reintegrating back into the life he has been missing from is, predictably, not an easy task. Especially when his childhood friends, siblings Joy (Jessica Stroup, The Following) and Ward Meachum (Tom Pelphrey, Banshee), think Danny died in a plane wreck with his parents and don’t trust his sudden reappearance.

There’s no suspense for viewers as to whether Danny is who he says he is. He is the title character of the show (Rand is famously Iron Fist in the comic pages), so Marvel wouldn’t tease us by focusing a series on an imposter. His martial arts skills and seemingly superhuman moves confirm that for any who might still wonder, though we don’t get the First itself right away.

What there is suspense about is what the motive of the central villain is. It takes quite awhile for IRON FIST to even get around to showing us the presumed bad guy, though he is there before the end of the hour, and even after the reveal, little is known about him. While other Netflix Marvel shows have taken their time in their reveals, we usually get a bit more than this in the early stages.

Instead, we’re focused on Danny’s core problem: no one knows, or believes, who he is. This makes it impossible for him to start over, and fans will probably be unsure as to why he even wants to now. Why has he come home and what does he want? That isn’t stated. Instead, the focus just seems to be on how Danny will eventually convince the Meachums that he is legit, a frustrating and anticlimactic question.

There are some twists in the pilot, and while some are obvious ones, some are not. This means it is entertaining and moves along. The pacing is in line with the other Marvel shows, and the lack of information given to the audience does entice me to want to watch more right away. This isn’t a show meant to be served in single-hour portions.

But what works against IRON FIST is that it doesn’t have as strong an identity as Jessica Jones or Luke Cage. Both of these quickly came out of the gate with an obvious style and mission that made them unique. IRON FIST seems much more a typical superhero show, with Danny’s own abilities making him look more like Spiderman without the sass, and his upper crust upbringing not feeling especially unique.

Will IRON FIST overcome these drawbacks, its lack of immediate hook and more typical tone? Or will this be the weak link of the Marvel franchise, the one Netflix series from the studio that doesn’t earn itself a second season? I like Jones and Stroup, as well as Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones), who plays likely love interest and Danny’s tie back to Asia Colleen Wing, so I hope there’s something here. One hour is just not long enough for me to make that determination.

MARVEL’S IRON FIST complete first season is available now on Netflix.

"New" THE FOLLOWING

Article originally written for Seat42F.

Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) is back as THE FOLLOWING returns this week on FOX. It’s been some time since season two ended, of course, and almost all of the characters seem to be in good places in their lives, relatively happy. What that means is that chaos is about to hit again, more murders will be committed, and the question as to who will survive is raised week after week.

As the season premiere, “New Blood,” begins, Ryan is happily seeing Gwen (Zuleikha Robinson, Homeland, Lost). Ryan doesn’t have the best track record with women, and so he’s taking things slow with Gwen, but the question remains: is she secretly evil? On almost any other series, this wouldn’t even be a consideration, but on THE FOLLOWING, there’s probably at least a fifty/fifty chance of it, with the other option being that she’ll soon become a victim. Though how cool would it be if neither occurs?

As mentioned, things start out peacefully enough, but that doesn’t last long, and the body count rises quite significantly in the first hour alone. The main perpetrator this time around is not Joe Carroll, who is on Death Row, less than a month away from execution (what are the chances he’ll actually die?). Instead, the new cult leader is Mark (Sam Underwood), whose mother, twin brother, and adopted sister were killed by our heroes last year. Mark is not mentally stable and he is bent on revenge, a dastardly combination.

Ryan is soon drawn in to stop Mark, which makes sense, given Mark is purposely targeting Ryan, Max (Jessica Stroup), and Mike (Shawn Ashmore) with his games, the three that have wronged him, in his eyes. These three lied about some of the deaths they committed last year, and Mark wants the truth exposed. Will they be able to stop him before the truth comes out?

Ryan isn’t the only one in a different place in “New Blood.” Max and Mike have also followed their paths forward, and while I won’t spoil what that means, I will say flashbacks in the season premiere help fill in the gaps to get them to their current place. THE FOLLOWING is a very serial story, and while the action may take place months or years apart, hence the time jumps during hiatus, the writers do a pretty good job connecting the dots so viewers are not lost. These leaps also make logical sense to the plot.

A lot happens in “New Blood,” both fresh and following up from previously. A major character gets married. Another contemplates a big step in his relationship. Exes come back together and see how the other is doing. Mistakes are brought back up. Most importantly, though, is that THE FOLLOWING gives its characters time to dwell on past wrongs in order to see how they influence moving forward.

Early in the first episode back, Ryan is reminded of the collateral damage left in his wake. It may not be his intention to kill anyone, but even those cult members who die along the way have families and loved ones who care about them. If Ryan captures the bad guy but lives are lost in the process, is that worth it? Should he have done something differently? Is he too careless about others in his pursuit of justice? These fascinating questions are raised in “New Blood,” and that dramatically raises the quality of the episode.

THE FOLLOWING is by and large an action mystery, and it does that well. More interesting to me is that it is taking the steps to address the emotional toll on the characters. Ryan Hardy is not made of steel like 24’s Jack Bauer. Self-examination is part and parcel of who he is, and the fact that the show is re-focusing on that is exciting. I hope there will be plenty of time for it to continue as the season unfolds.

THE FOLLOWING airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

"Forgive" THE FOLLOWING Its Flaws

Article first published as TV Review: 'The Following' - Season 2 Finale on Blogcritics.
 
FOX’s The Following concluded its second season this week with “Forgive.” With the woman they love in danger, archenemies Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) and Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) must join forces to rescue her. Will they succeed in saving their shared sweetheart from the scary psychos?

First off, The Following is cheesy. It’s more contrived than 24 ever was, and it asks the viewers to make some big leaps. For instance, the end of the penultimate installment paints the characters into a corner, with Ryan and Joe in a church surrounded by law enforcement, being watched on streaming video. Yet, somehow, they manage to get out, right past the cops, and are only noticed by the correct people? That’s quite a leap.

And yet, I still really enjoy the characters, especially Joe and Ryan. Joe is an evil man, but he can evoke sympathy from time to time, that is when he’s not actively murdering people. His earnestness in his affection for Ryan and Claire (Natalie Zea) is true, and Joe’s insistence that Ryan stay alive to continue their dynamic is almost touching. His true colors leak out occasionally, such as when he holds a knife at Claire’s throat and demands forgiveness this week, but there is still something magnetic about him.

Purefoy gets many chances to shine in “Forgive:” when he learns of Emma’s (Valorie Curry) death, as he manipulates twin abductors Luke and Mark (both Sam Underwood), and as he turns on his own follower to save Ryan. These are all moments of moving emotional developments for the cult leader, and it’s what makes him a rich character who is enjoyable to watch.

Ryan also has his moments to shine. Most of them involve how he interacts with Joe, forced to put his trust in a guy he doesn’t have any faith in at all to save Claire. But there’s also a moment, as Joe baits Luke and Mark, where we see the pain in Ryan’s eyes over (justifiably) killing his own father. It’s an important bit of back story for the role, and it’s well handled here.

In fact, once one gets past the silly escape from the church, “Forgive” is pretty good. All of the scenes in the boys’ house are intense and moving. The dialogue is well written and the actors are superb. I wanted to stay forever in the dinner scene, just watching the interaction of some masterful performers in a charged sequence.

Alas, it all must come to an end, though, so Max (Jessica Stroup) and Mike (Shawn Ashmore) burst in and start the guns blazing. One of the twins is killed, the other escapes with his brother’s body, Mike and Ryan both get moments to find out who they really are and pass the test, and Mike and Max finally kiss, something that has been building for some time. The kiss itself isn’t overly dramatic, but it has to happen to satisfy fans.

It’s an odd show where one is slightly disappointed when the action begins. The time before the showdown, though, is just so good, I want it to continue. What unfolds after is fine enough, and it ties up the season as it must. I just want more of what works best, and Ryan telling Joe they are done is very, very sad, even though it’s also untrue, as the series couldn’t continue without the two in one another’s orbits.

Ryan and Claire’s dissolution is less powerful. Sure, Ryan loves Claire and it’s painful for him to lose her, but before the climax, he is with someone else and he can just go back to her. Claire is kind of a boring character, more interesting for the things that surround her than the part itself (though I am a fan of Zea overall), and, to be honest, The Following will not suffer if she now disappears for good. Though, most likely she will be brought back at some point, given her importance to both Ryan and Joe.

The ending of “Forgive” is well-crafted to evoke tension. Ryan seemingly goes home to peace and quiet, but remembering the twists of last year, these calm bits actually ratchet up the suspense. The fake-out with the dream, where Ryan thinks the twins are in his room, is a terrific way to pay off that mood, as well as surprise the audience by not going there.

The Following leaves us with a mystery: who picks up Mark and Luke and drives them away? This is a good thread to start with for the already-ordered season three, and it’s nice that Underwood should return, as he is entertaining in the current run.

Still Following THE FOLLOWING

Article first published as THE FOLLOWING Review on Seat42F.

FOX’S THE FOLLOWING returns at a special night and time tonight with “Resurrection.” It’s been a year since Joe Carroll’s (James Purefoy) death, as well as Claire Matthews’ (Natalie Zea) and Debra Parker’s (Annie Parisse). Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) has moved on, settling in to a teaching job, going through AA with the help of a sponsor (Keith Carradine, Dexter), and spending time with his niece, Max (Jessica Stroup, 90210), who is a cop. It seems the nightmare is over.

It’s nice to see Ryan happy and building a life for himself. He’s self-destructive by nature, and the Joe Carroll case did a number on him. He killed in cold blood and lost people he cared about. It will give fans hope for the future to see Ryan in a good place, not drinking, not dwelling on the past, finally finding an existence that he can be at peace with.

Of course, this lasts a scant ten minutes before the sinister happenings begin again. THE FOLLOWING is not a happy-ending show, and until the series finale’s credits role, no one has a chance at bliss. Followers of Carroll’s re-emerge on the anniversary of his death, beginning a new killing spree in New York City, where Ryan lives. They must be stopped.

Ryan is reluctant to get pulled back in, of course, and who can blame him? The damage done to his psyche won’t ever heal, and why would one want to put oneself back in those circumstances? Law enforcement pulls inactive agent Mike Weston (Shawn Ashmore) in to consult, so Ryan may not be technically needed, and while Mike certainly thinks Ryan could help, he won’t force the man.

But all is not as it seems. Much of what appears known about a couple of the main characters early in “Resurrection” simply isn’t true, and there are some cool twists in the premiere. Without giving anything away, it’s safe to say that Ryan will be back on the case quite soon, some people are just putting on a face, and at least one death may have been faked.

THE FOLLOWING continues to be scary and magnetic. A cult of serial killers who can hide among us and strike at any time is a frightening thought, and this show serves up a huge conspiracy of such. The danger lurks everywhere from many bodies, and there doesn’t seem to be any clear way to stop it. Every time one branch is dealt with, another takes its place.

This series is anything but boring. There’s action almost immediately, with an exciting chase, a number of victims killed, creepy masks, and someone gets hit by a car. The pacing is as break-neck as ever, with no one seeming safe, and a guarantee of much more blood as the season plays out. In short, year two promises to be just as good as year one, if this episode is consistent with the ones that follow.

“Resurrection” introduces us to some new murderers, the ranks of Carrollers (love that name!) having been depleted in season one. The most fascinating thus far are a pair of identical twins (Sam Underwood, Homeland), one of whom is very mentally unstable. The hideous things he’s responsible for in this first hour alone will make your skin crawl.

Of course, Emma (Valorie Curry) is still around, too. She isn’t involved in the events that play out in “Resurrection,” but if Carroll or his followers poke their heads up, she’s quickly drawn back to them like a moth to a flame. One never knows whether she will fall in line or slice the throat of the leader, taking over, but Emma is a compelling character, and an essential part of the show, so she’ll make her presence felt. At least until they decide to kill her off.

“Resurrection” is everything I was hoping for from the return of THE FOLLOWING, easily one of last year’s best network programs, and meets all expectations. It is back tonight after the NFC game, approximately 10:30 p.m. EST, and will take over its normal Mondays-at-9 p.m. timeslot starting next week.