PRODIGAL SON Sets

Article first published as TV Review: PRODIGAL SON on Seat42F.

This week, FOX launched the new drama series PRODIGAL SON. The titular child, actually a grown man, is a mentally unstable profiler of serial killers. Fired from the FBI in the opening sequence, he returns home. But rather than leave the business behind, he is recruited by the local cops to catch a copycat murderer. The slayer the copycat is copying is the PRODIGAL SON’s dad, who helps our hero expose the bad guy. But did genius daddy orchestrate the whole thing?

That all sounds convoluted, a mix of a bunch of other television shows, and it is. Part Silence of the Lambs, part Blacklist, part every crime procedural on the air, PRODIGAL SON puts in a bit more mythology and serial story than most case-of-the-week series, but the main focus will still be that easy criminal caught in sixty minutes or less. And the extra stuff layered in is weird, doesn’t entirely make sense, and seems over the top, at best.

PRODIGAL SON has a stellar cast. The lead is Tom Payne (The Walking Dead), playing Malcolm Bright, whose last name is exactly as on the nose as one would expect from the rest of the program. Daddy dearest, Dr. Martin Whitly, is Good Omens’ Michael Sheen. Rounding out the family is Bellamy Young (Scandal) as controlling mother Jessica and Halston Sage (The Orville) as reporter sister Ainsley. Lou Diamond Phillips (Longmire) is the cop whose life young Malcolm saved and who now is depending on the grown lad. Other law enforcement officers are played by lesser knowns Frank Harts (The Path), Aurora Perrineau (Jem and the Holograms), and Keiko Agena (Gilmore Girls). Michael Cerveris (Fringe) is wasted in a one-episode role, appearing only in the pilot.

Frankly, this cast is far too good for this show. Yes, many fine actors are staying with the small screen these days for high quality programs, but PRODIGAL SON does not qualify. While there might be some interesting concept buried in this that could be teased out were it on FX or AMC or Netflix, the mix of unbelievability and caricature render it less than the some of its parts. Payne and Sheen, especially, are playing crazy wonderfully. But they’re practically begging for a complex story that is worthy of their performances.

We’ve seen cops. We’ve seen good guys working with the bad. Several very popular current and past shows fit into the category. If you’re going to go down that road again, you’d better have a very good reason for doing so. Or at least a solid story. This series has neither.

I get what FOX is doing here. The broadcast networks are slowly dying and they’re trying to hold onto their audience by thinking short-term. Crime procedurals still make money, and adding the serial element could possibly make it binge-worthy when it hits a streaming service. It sounds good in theory, even though it’s been seen to fail over and over again when not going enough into the serial.

If that were the only thing PRODIGAL SON had wrong with it, the cast alone might be enough to let the flaws be overlooked. But the flimsy story-telling full of connections that shouldn’t be and characters that feel one-note seals the deal that this is one to skip. Might it garner enough of an audience to run for half a dozen seasons? Sure, I’ve seen worse shows make it. But will it be a beloved classic folks remember and want to re-watch? Unless it changes significantly, definitely not.

My recommendation is to not tune in. Let PRODIGAL SON die quickly and release the performers to go onto better things. Most of them will bounce back with something better.

PRODIGAL SON airs Mondays on FOX.

MASTERS OF SEX Season 2 Review

Article originally published as MASTERS OF SEX Review Season 2 on Seat42F.

Showtime’s MASTERS OF SEX begins its second season this week with “Parallax.” A number of things happen in the first hour back, but mainly it is a reset. Months have passed since the finale, though we see flashbacks to the scene immediately following Masters (Michael Sheen) showing up on Virginia’s (Lizzy Caplan) doorstep. From there, the story begins moving forward again, catching us up with most of the primary cast and beginning their latest plot arcs.

When last we saw him, Masters had been fried from the university because of the scandalous nature of his study. Knowing who this man is and what he is known for, MASTERS OF SEX being based on real events, viewers are not expecting him to give up, and they will not be disappointed. Masters has trouble keeping his mouth shut, which often works against him, but he’s also dedicated and persistent, qualities that serve him well. And while his former employer may not have the stomach to support the exploration of human sexuality, not everyone is so squeamish. It doesn’t take too long for Masters to recruit a new benefactor (Danny Huston, Magic City).

Like many modern protagonists, Masters is not inherently likable. There is not ‘but’ coming here. He may be intelligent and able to eventually meet his career goals, but he lacks in other areas. For instance, he finds it a struggle to be a good father, now that Libby (Caitlin Fitzgerald) has had their baby. It’s odd that someone who works so well on the baby making process can handle the results of their efforts, but Masters is not kid-friendly, as you’ll see in “Parallax.” This begs the question, can he ever be happy with his family, and can they ever be happy with him?

Virginia does get another side of Masters, but even that isn’t his strongest side. Yes, he puts Virginia’s name on the study and certainly wants her to be included in future work. But it’s not like they’re out selling themselves as a package deal. Virginia is still in the employment of Dr. DePaul (Julianne Nicholson), which does not net her enough to support her family. Virginia is definitely adrift in this premiere, finding it hard to take a step back down after the heights she achieved with Masters, working to readjust to a more boring existence, something she’ll never be satisfied with, because he doesn’t show her his loyalty.

The pathos exhibited by Masters and Virginia, both complex, interesting individuals, are engaging on their own, but MASTERS OF SEX really gets humming when the two combine. While most television shows with a co-ed leading duo have sexual tension, and Masters and Virginia do, too, they are different. There is no foregone conclusion that they will end up together, and “Parallax” actually finds them pulling apart. This is done in an authentic way, lacking the usual television tropes that artificially drive a wedge to keep the story going, and it’s far from certain if the writers are done with them as a couple before they even get started, or if there could be a bit more personal stuff between them in the future. They work together well; they may or may not be able to sustain romantic interest.

My favorite recurring players on MASTERS OF SEX, and there are many good ones to choose from, are Barton Scully (Beau Bridges) and his wife, Margaret (Allison Janey). This season premiere continues to cover their problems, Barton seeking a ‘cure’ for his homosexuality and Margaret no longer willing to look the other way, but acting as supportive of Barton as she can be. I was a bit concerned they’d be dropped from the series as Masters and Virginia move away from them, but while neither has been upgraded to main cast member, so their time could be limited, at least MASTERS OF SEX seems likely to see their story through.

In general, while nothing huge really happens until the very end of the hour, “Parallax” is a solid start to a sophomore season, serving its purpose and providing enough hooks to keep the audience returning. There are some very moving moments between players and it continues at the quality level fans expect. Plus, it ends with a very big development that will have fans talking.

MASTERS OF SEX returns July 13^th and airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

MASTERS OF SEX "Manhigh" : Season Finale Review

Article first published as MASTERS OF SEX "Manhigh" : Season Finale Review on TheTVKing.

Showtime's excellent Masters of Sex completed its freshman run this week with "Manhigh." Bill Masters (Michael Sheen) prepares to present his findings of the past year of study to the hospital at large. Anticipation among the staff is high, and everyone eagerly packs the auditorium to hear Masters speak. But without Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) by his side, Masters overreaches and finds himself facing steep consequences.

Masters needs Virginia as much as any great partnership only works with both partners. He's brilliant, but bad at handling people. Virginia is smart, too, but her interpersonal skills are what balances him out so well. Masters would never have gotten as far as he did in his work without her to smooth his rough edges and communicate with their participants, calming anxieties. Now, her absence costs him dearly.

Masters realizes Virginia's importance, as evidenced by his inclusion of Virginia's name on the work product. He doesn't have to, with Virginia now working for Dr. DePaul (Julianne Nicholson) instead of him, but he does it out of appreciation for all that she has done. He isn't arrogant enough to minimize her contribution, and gives her the credit she has earned, even though she's a woman and women didn't get credit as freely at the time this story takes place.

Not that Masters is without assistance. His new helper, Jane (Helene Yorke), believes in him, as do cameraman Lester (Kevin Christy) and Bill's wife, Libby (Caitlin FitzGerald). But none of those three have Bill's ear or his professional respect the way that Virginia does. He likely appreciates them in some small way, but he doesn't consider them on the same level, and thus there is no one to tell him to temper himself.

Which is why the presentation is a disaster. Doctors and board members are shocked to see the inside of a vagina and the body of a woman masturbating, especially with women present in the room. They leave angrily, ignoring the statistics and invalidating Masters' work. In this instance, his data may be solid, but no one is going to pay attention to it because he screws up the initial conversation. He's his own worst enemy. Can he salvage anything from his efforts?

"Manhigh" ends with Bill standing on Virginia's door step in the rain telling Virginia that he needs her. This, more than her name on the work, leaves him bare and vulnerable, admitting something he didn't want to say out loud for the longest time. He swallows his pride and asks her to come back to him. This may be unhealthy, as he's missing the birth of his child, and he shows an obsession towards her with the use of footage of Virginia's body in the presentation. Knowing Bill is married and liking his wife, Virginia may be hesitant to return to the man who has few boundaries. But will she?

Virginia has a choice to make. She can stay in her home and work with Dr. DePaul and / or Masters. Or she can marry Ethan (Nicholas D'Agosto) and move away. This isn't as simple a decision as it may appear. Yes, Virginia loves her work, and with Dr. DePaul sick and Masters fired, both need extra help. But Ethan is really good to her kids, and they matter quite a bit to her, too, so she may want to put their needs ahead of hers.

Let's be honest, although "Manhigh" doesn't reveal Virginia's choice, she has to work with Bill. Otherwise, there's no show. Masters of Sex hinges on the relationship between the two of them, and as much as I enjoy the other characters, the rest are expendable. Thus, somehow, Bill and Virginia will end up working together again.

Besides this central plot, there are a lot of great supporting moments in "Manhigh." I love Barton's (Beau Bridges) struggle with his homosexuality, and his wife, Martha (Allison Janney), asking him not to undergo aversion therapy when she sees how bad it is. They are a couple I can't get enough of. I love Barton standing up for Masters, and Masters doing Barton a favor by saving the elder man's job. I love Lester and Jane's kiss. I love the masturbation conversation between Lester and Masters. I love seeing Libby hold her baby, someone that will surely bring her the joy her husband can't give her.

Masters of Sex is wonderful because of all of this. The two leads are fantastic, but the other players are terrific, too. The stories are well structured, with appropriate story for recurring parts without taking away from the whole, and layered, developed, authentic characters. There's commentary on the time and culture that doesn't feel preachy, and real questions that can't be quickly and easily answered are posed. It's definitely my new favorite Showtime series.

Masters of Sex has been renewed and will return next year to Showtime.

MASTERS OF SEX Masters of Drama

Review first published as MASTERS OF SEX Review on Seat42F.

Showtime knows what it’s doing by calling their new series MASTERS OF SEX. Clearly, that title will draw a crowd, if for nothing else than to check out what scandalous things will be in it. What’s better, though, is that there is an actual story behind this moniker, that of Dr. William Masters (Michael Sheen, Frost/Nixon) and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan, New Girl), who revolutionized the study of human sexuality in the 1950s.

MASTERS OF SEX is based on a true tale, though like most dramas that can claim that, there is likely quite a bit of creative license taken. It’s hard to believe that only a few scant decades ago, science hadn’t even begun to look into the orgasm, let alone recognize the difference between sex drives in men and women. As such, this is a gripping story about an important moment in our country and the world.

It’s far from boring. Great performers like Sheen, Caplan, Beau Bridges (The Descendants) as the reluctant boss, and Margo Martindale (Justified, The Americans) as an uptight secretary, make these characters come alive, more interesting than most real people, roles you want to tune in and watch. They exude charisma, while keeping the parts grounded, playing the subtleties and layers, even in the smallest of scenes.

A lot happens in the “Pilot.” Masters comes up with the study and tries to convince Barton Scully (Bridges) to approve it. He finds and hires Virginia to help him. She recruits him subjects, and they begin the study. The pace is quite quick, though not so much so that it feels rushed.

But there are moments, too, that sparkle and linger and make the series special. One in particular, near the end of the episode, in which Masters proposes a new element to the study to Johnson very matter-of-factly, and her charged reaction, is memorable. As is a physical fight between a man and a woman, a pivotal moment in which one characters goes from likeable but slightly annoying to detestable. And the pain Johnson feels at keeping secrets from Master’s wife, Libby (Caitlin FitzGerald, It’s Complicated). Each of these hold the promise that MASTERS OF SEX will be much more than just a provocative concept.

A primary theme of the show is the difference between males and females, and between individuals. In the first hour alone, we get a wide spectrum view of this comparison. We see a woman who thinks sex in a marriage should be romantic and lovely, and a man who considers it pretty much solely for making babies. We meet a woman who has sex with men for money, but prefers relations with women for pleasure. One man is promiscuous, seeing sex as a fun way to pass the time, and a woman feels the same. Another woman thinks sex should not even be discussed among civilized people.

Then there’s Virginia Johnson. She is fine with a friends-with-benefits arrangement, already having been married and having children. This is what we traditionally consider a male attitude, purely engaging in intercourse as a pleasurable, recreational activity. Yet, we also see how she cares about the friend she hooks up with, Dr. Ethan Haas (Nicholas D’Agosto, Heroes), on a non-romantic level. And we see her shock at being asked to engage in clinical sex for study, something she may consider, but it certainly isn’t her idea. She’s a complex bundle of competing desires in a single body.

This may just highlight how little men know about women’s drives, even in the modern era. As a man, I did not expect the complexity of the warring emotions Virginia has, and cannot imagine a having a similar mindset myself. Then again, sex is a very personal thing, everyone having their own views and preferences, and it may be more about the individual than the gender. I guess that’s what MASTERS OF SEX will explore.

Besides the science stuff, there is the tale of a crumbling marriage in the Masters household. William has a very low sperm count, but won’t share that information with Libby, even as she worries over her own inability to bear children. This is a sad picture, and while it informs the character, it also feels very cold, an unhappy portrait of matrimony. Refraining from reading up on the real-life people, I’m not sure where this is going, but assume it will tie into the larger fabric being unfolded.

Plus, MASTERS OF SEX is a period piece, with wonderfully designed sets and clothing. It’s not so long ago that it will feel unfamiliar, but it definitely has a dated style, even as the topic itself is still a relevant one. Society and tastes change, but people stay the same. At least, I hope the people involved in this show stay the same, because I am definitely setting a season pass on my TiVo.

MASTERS OF SEX premieres Sunday, September 29^th at 10 p.m. ET.

Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series arrives on Blu-ray

     Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Over the course of the season, the Doctor (Matt Smith) worries about his impending death date in Utah, while learning more about the mysterious River Song (Alex Kingston, ER) and the Silence. He is still joined by Amy Pond (Karen Gillan, The Well) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill, Swimming With Sharks) on his missions. Together, they continue the very big job of keeping the universe, through time, safe from any number of threats.

     Season six begins big, with the companions being entrusted with a secret that the Doctor cannot know, and all of them having to help Richard Nixon. Things heat up even more in the second part of the premiere, with the FBI on their trail, and aliens that can hide in plain sight, fooling everyone. In other episodes, the team also visits a 17th century pirate ship, explores 22nd century cloning, goes to Berlin in 1938, stays at a hotel that thrives on fear, and confront the Cybermen again. And, the bad guys aren't all whom you may expect in series six, either. Both River Song and a future version of Amy could end it all if the Doctor isn't careful. This spells a thrilling, intense, edge-of-your-seat batch of episodes that just may comprise the best Doctor Who season yet!

     Perhaps because of the high quality of the stories, Doctor Who is able to continue to attract a very good array of guest stars. Sci-fi staple Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Warehouse 13) gets into the action in the two-part series opener. Listen closely, and one will hear the voices of Michael Sheen (the Twilight movies, Frost/Nixon) and Imelda Staunton (Cranford, Harry Potter). American NBC anchor Meredith Vieira is in the series finale, and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Suranne Jones (Coronation Street), Lily Cole (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), and David Walliams (Little Britain) are just a few of the other familiar faces. Plus, James Corden and Simon Callow reprise their Doctor Who roles as Craig Owens and Charles Dickens, respectively.

     Arguably, an even bigger get is award-winning writer Neil Gaiman, who pens "The Doctor's Wife," in which the TARDIS is captured by a mind on an asteroid. It's an exciting cat and mouse game, as the villain holds the Doctor's companions hostage. Luckily, the Doctor finds allies in Uncle and Auntie, who are not, in fact, his uncle and auntie. Because of Gaiman's reputation, expectations are high on this episode, and it fully delivers.

     Series six was previously available as two separate sets, but this release is six discs containing all 13 episodes. It also has last year's Christmas special, "A Christmas Carol," which has had its own release, too. Thus, Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series is bringing together three different products in one.

     Bonus features are not scarce either. Five of the series six episodes have short prequels to better set things up. There are two Comic Relief sketches from a charity event. Four shorts known as "Monster Files" delve into the Doctor's best opponents, giving a deeper exploration of the rich guest characters. Plus, Doctor Who Confidential has an inside look at all 13 episodes, with a bonus Confidential concerning "A Night's Tale" (see below). There are also audio commentaries on selected episodes.

     Perhaps most valuable bonuses are five Night and the Doctor specials available only on the new release. They cannot be found online, at least not legally, and were not broadcast on television. As such, they make this release a must-own for any completionist fan.

     With 1080i high definition, and 16:.9 aspect ratio, as well as DTS HD 5.1 surround sound, Doctor Who looks and sounds fantastic. It's a science fiction show with a lot of special effects, and thus, fans will want the best viewing experience possible. They get it with this Blu-ray set, featuring crystal clear picture and sound that will look and sound amazing on any decent home entertainment system. Even better, many of the special features, which aren't always up to the same standards, actually are in this set, having the same audio and visual stats as the episodes themselves. This is certainly a truly excellent set.

     Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series is, as you may expect, excellent.  The blacks, and all other hues, are rich and deep. This allows for a lot of details, even when events occur in shadow. There is no static around the edges of any of the sound effects, which also are not abnormally loud. Sound levels are mixed to a fine degree, and will allow viewers to stay in the moment on screen effortlessly.

     Buy Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series, out on Blu-ray and DVD today.

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

Article first published as Blu-Ray Review: Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series on Blogcritics.

'The' Special Relationship?

    HBO's newest movie is called The Special Relationship, and revolves around Bill Clinton's second term as president of the United States, and Tony Blair's first term as prime minister or Britain.  I'm not sure why they seemingly had a special relationship, even after viewing the movie.  Their relationship didn't seem particularly more interesting or complicated than plenty of other world leaders'.  But it wasn't a bad movie.

     The beginning flipped quickly past Blair taking advice from the Clinton team on how to win, then concentrated on three meaty segments of their time: the Lewinsky scandal, Kosovo, and the 2000 U.S. presidential election.  Each lasted a certain number of minutes, but the after effects of the main event being focused on were never discussed.  As such, it seemed more a series of vignettes than a cohesive film.  It also was far from balanced, painting Blair as the humble, heroic figure and Clinton as a lying, scheming, manipulator.  Both characterizations are rooted in some truth that happened, but again, this movie did not seem to want to explore complexities.

     The best part of the film was the acting.  Michael Sheen took a third go round as Tony Blair, having previously portrayed him in The Deal and The Queen.  At this point, he's practically become more recognizable to Americans as Blair than Blair himself, and so it's hard to judge his performance as anything but thoroughly realistic.  Helen McCrory was a delight as his wife, Cherie, whom she also played in The Queen, and so the chemistry was already set.  Dennis Quaid came as close to Clinton as any non-comedian I've ever seen.  The only weak link was Hope Davis, usually a wonderful actress, playing Hillary a little softer and weaker than expected.  However, as the Hillary scenes were mostly private moments, it's hard to say it she was being accurate or not.

     I wouldn't discourage anyone from watching the film, but I wouldn't necessarily encourage it either, unless you have an interest in the event covered, as I do.  Sheen made Blair really grow and come into his own over the course of the hour and a half, but other than that, there's not much that stands out.  Not exactly what I've come to expect from HBO, but feel free to make your own judgments.

30 Rock and roll

     NBC brought the latest season of 30 Rock to a close with a shocking development.  No, I'm not talking about the title, "I Do Do".  Nor any weddings, breakups, romantic overtures, or pregnancies.  Kenneth Parcell (Jack McBrayer), the best page ever, was fired.  He was actually bad at his job on purpose to avoid a promotion that would have forced him to move to L.A.  Surely, this will quickly be remedied when the show returns next fall, as the show could not possibly be the same without him.  Plus, the series has made him a star.  McBrayer wouldn't leave for real, would he?  Its doubtful.

     Liz (Tina Fey) did finally have some luck in the romance department, though.  Despite Fey stating in an interview that Liz would most likely end up with Wesley (Michael Sheen) in the end, she met the man of her dreams, played by none other than Matt Damon.  What are the chances a big movie star like Matt Damon would settle into a recurring character on a sitcom though?

     Interesting that I you should ask that.  Sheen has appeared several times already, and Jack (Alec Baldwin) has been juggling dating two women, Avery (Elizabeth Banks) and Nancy (Julianne Moore), both played by movie stars.  Though, it seems Nancy will soon be moving on, what with the surprise pregnancy of Avery.  How does 30 Rock get such big name recurring characters?  Because it's a hell of a witty show, with plenty of connections behind the scenes.  Fey and Baldwin have headlines a few films themselves in recent years.  It's led to something I never though I'd worry about on the show, or really, any sitcom for that matter.  Some of the central characters are in danger of being overshadowed by the guests.  It hasn't happened yet, but it's been close.

      However, that doesn't mean I want them to stop bringing in the big talent.  It adds some gravitas to the show, and they've all been, without exception, exceptionally funny.  And it's not just the A-listers that succeed.  Plenty of Saturday Night Live alumni have killed, most recently Will Forte (who is currently starring in the film MacGruber) as Jenna's (Jane Krakowski) boyfriend slash impersonator.

     30 Rock has already been picked up for another season and will return to NBC in the fall.