Enlist in SPACE FORCE

Article first published as TV Review: SPACE FORCE on Seat42F.

Greg Daniels, who adapted The Office for American audiences, has been busy, with new two shows hitting streaming services in as many months. One was Upload, which I reviewed back in mid-May, and the other is SPACE FORCE on Netflix. I’ve had the chance to watch all ten episodes, but will talk about the show mostly generally to avoid spoilers.

SPACE FORCE stars Steve Carell as the manager of a department, just like The Office, but this series isn’t nearly as funny as that one was, or even as amusing as Upload (despite sharing the delightful Owen Daniels in underrated roles). Though, I’m not convinced it’s meant to be. There are outrageous things that happen and eccentric characters. Yet, the tone the lead character sets for the piece and some of the events of it keep things more reigned in.

As the series begins, General Mark Naird (Carell) is promoted from the Air Force to lead the new branch of the military, Space Force. And while his fellow branch heads (Jane Lynch, Patrick Warburton, Noah Emmerich, and others) make fun of him for it, Naird takes the job seriously and does his best. He finds ways to work the scientists who have such different mindsets than he does, and struggles to be a good father to his daughter, Erin (Diana Silvers, Ma).

But it’s not easy. As mentioned, the generals rag on him endlessly, as does their boss, John Blandsmith (Dan Bakkedahl, Veep). Not to mention, the unnamed POTUS is likely the same one we have today, temperamental and petty, though with the events of this year out of the mix (for now, anyway). Mark’s assistant, Brad Gregory (Don Lake, Zootopia), may have saved his life once, but is woefully incompetent. The social media guru, F. Tony Scarapiducci (Ben Schwartz, Parks and Recreation), is more hindrance than help. And last, but far from least, Mark’s wife, Maggie (Lisa Kudrow, Friends, The Comeback), is in prison for the next 40-60 years for reasons not revealed to the audience in season one.

As mentioned, the SPACE FORCE base is comprised of scientists, who you might think are cold and unfeeling based on stereotypes. One could also say the same about military officers. Yet, while outward displays of affection are rare, possibly one of the elements that keeps this series low key, we see some very sweet moments. There’s great stuff between Mark and his daughter. There’s arguably even better stuff between Mark and the head scientist, Dr. Adrian Mallory (John Malkovich, Billions, Being John Malkovich). The two have a terrific bond that is often awkward, but really makes up the emotional core of the series. A secondary romance between Mallory’s second, Dr. Chan Kaifang (Jimmy O. Yang, Silicon Valley), and Captain Angela Ali (Tawny Newsome, Bajillion Dollar Propertie$) is also touching.

This human companionship, the scenes where characters connect, is SPACE FORCE’s redeeming quality. Amidst the chaos and the colossal screw ups and the infighting and competitiveness, there are people with hearts who are trying to do a great job. That provides an in for viewers to connect to, and with excellent acting, it’s easy to forget about how few times you’ve laughed out loud.

Which is not to say SPACE FORCE isn’t funny. It’s just more strange funny than obviously humorous. I wouldn’t call its style subtlety, necessarily, but it is a bit sneaky. It’s clever, but not overly so. More just bizarre, really.

Reviews for SPACE FORCE have been mixed, but honestly, I’m fully on board. The ensemble is terrific, the storytelling is interesting, and the acting as absolutely fantastic, as you would expect from this cast. Go in expecting The Office and you’ll be disappointed. But go in with an open mind and withhold judgment, and you may agree.

The only regret I really have is that Mark’s father, Fred (Fred Willard, Modern Family, Jimmy Kimmel Live), won’t be able to return for a second season, and will have to disappear off screen.

Other than that, and especially with the giant cliffhanger of an ending, I’m ready to re-enlist for another mission. SPACE FORCE’s first season is available now on Netflix.

THE AMERICANS Season 2 Finale Review

Article originally published as TV Review: 'The Americans' - Season 2 Finale on Blogcritics.

FX’s The Americans has grown  steadily better over its first two seasons. The freshman run introduced us to the players and the situations; in its sophomore outing, the writers not only built upon that base, but added a season-long arc about another family of Russian spies. What happens to that clan directly affects how Phillip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) see the world and their place in it. And now, with “Echo,” the season two finale, the structure is shaken up as our protagonists face their most difficult decision yet, possibly setting the stage to completely change the game.

Phillip and Elizabeth are loyal undercover KGB agents, but viewers are still likely to root for them because we get to know them on a very personal level. We see how they interact with their children, and that influences who they are on the job. The Americans presents a scenario where we understand these people and why they do what they do. It really gets into the heads of its leads.

They also have quite different personalities, despite the common cause. Phillip wavers previously in their mission, wondering if life as true Americans might not be better for their family. Elizabeth is much more the staunch nationalist. They are not tested too hard on these values, though, until “Echo.” Now, the KGB wants to recruit their daughter, Paige (Holly Taylor), something the couple may not be able to control, and they have very different opinions on if this should happen.

Elizabeth’s stance is the harder one to swallow, yet there is sense in it. Paige flounders all year with finding a purpose and wanting to effect change in the world. Elizabeth feels very much the same way, but has her mission to fulfill these needs. She sees a way to connect with her daughter and bring someone she loves and cares deeply about into her life’s work. Who wouldn’t want their kid to follow in their footsteps? Elizabeth has had to keep part of herself hidden and this has hurt her relationship with Paige. Recruiting her might solve that issue, or at least improve the bond. Plus, it will get Paige away from those crazy religious nuts.

Elizabeth also has the backing of her government, whose plan makes sense for them. They need the second-generation spies because the background checks will hold up better than on more recent immigrants. In the eyes of the Russians, no individual is more important than the whole. Elizabeth gets this concept, and applies it to herself. Why not extend that to her daughter?

Phillip, on the other hand, is much more concerned about the risks. Paige is still a child. What the spies do is dangerous, multiple members of their team being killed in the line of duty in “Echo” alone. He has a paternal instinct to protect his daughter at all costs. He even goes so far as to threaten Arkady (Lev Gorn), telling him to leave their daughter alone. Phillip, at this point, is probably considering running, or turning his family into the Americans for witness protection. He is going to do everything he can to keep his daughter out of all of this.

He’s not wrong about the dangers. This year’s story involving Jared (Owen Campbell) and his family, especially the resolution in “Echo,” learning how Jared is the killer, would be scary to anyone. Jared’s group is an illustration why it’s a bad idea to let Paige in, especially as an unstable, unpredictable teenager. Perhaps the KGB should wait until later, though younger minds are more malleable. I don’t know what Paige’s reaction would be to learning the truth now, but it certainly won’t be good.

To make things more complicated for Phillip, Martha (Alison Wright) wants to have a baby with “Clark,” his cover identity. Phillip is already lying to Martha every day; he doesn’t want to have to betray a child. It’s one thing for his own family, but to push that world onto a kid whose mother he is fooling and will one day abandon would be quite damaging. Plus, Phillip doesn’t want to tie himself to Martha any more than he has to as Clark, as he’s just using her for information. The question is, will Phillip’s bosses order him to acquiesce to her demands in order to keep her as a source? And if they do so, will Phillip comply? Elizabeth probably would, were their positions reversed.

Stan’s (Noah Emmerich) loyalties are also questioned in “Echo.” He is faced with a tough choice: saving the life of Nina (Annet Mahendru), the woman he loves, by handing over state secrets, which would threaten national security, or let her die and stay true to his country and his job. He chooses the latter, of course, Stan being a flawed hero, but a hero nonetheless. However, “Echo” shows us the pain this causes him, the waffling he goes through, and how he even mans up to witness Nina’s departure, rather than hiding in shame. He will regret what happens to Nina, who is likely done on this series forever, but he would never be able to sleep again if his actions led to the deaths of countless Americans. He does the right thing but just about anyone’s measure.

It’s this examination of morals and choices that makes The Americans compelling. Any series can present us with characters like these, and many do, but this show finds a way to carve out its niche, showing us something new. It’s slow-paced and dreary, but it’s also engaging and tense. The more I watch, the more I want to watch. Especially if they find a way to keep Claudia (Margo Martindale) involved, as they do this year despite the actress’ other commitments, as her pain in breaking the news to Phillip and Elizabeth about the organization’s intentions for Paige is the best scene in a terrific episode.

The Americans has been renewed and will return to FX next year.

THE AMERICANS Are Our "Comrades"

Article first published as THE AMERICANS Review Season 2 on Seat42F.

Tonight, THE AMERICANS returns to FX for its second season. The premiere, “Comrades,” pretty much picks up where the first year left off, in that all of the larger arcs are still playing out and nothing major has changed. “Comrades” begins with Elizabeth (Keri Russell) coming home, which makes sense to structure the hiatus that way because, without Elizabeth, there is no show.

Many fans are waiting to see how the relationships may or may not heal, and unfortunately, there’s little of that in the premiere, besides a very racy sex scene (by basic cable standards). Elizabeth and Phillip (Matthew Rhys) seem to be in a good place, but there isn’t a real focus on that. Their time spent together is in service to their mission or in front of their kids, so we don’t get a chance to see for sure what kind of footing they are on with each other. Phillip does not get the opportunity to stop and pour his heart out until he gets ‘home’ to his other wife, Martha (Alison Wright).

This worries me about Phillip and Elizabeth’s future. They definitely like each other and are committed to making their lives together work, but now Phillip is bonding with Martha, perhaps unintentionally, and under an assumed name to be sure, but still, he is making an emotional connection, revealing some of himself. As unlikely as the pairing may be, I could see something blooming there if this pattern continues past episode one.

I guess many affairs happen when one spouse doesn’t feel understood or heard by the other, finding solace in someone else. The situation in THE AMERICANS is anything but a traditional tryst, but I can see signs that it may turn into something resembling that. Which makes sense for the characters and provides much better drama. Or maybe I’m reading into something that isn’t actually there in those few small moments. I guess we’ll wait and see.

Interestingly, Stan (Noah Emmerich) thinks he’s having a real affair, hiding out with Nina (Annet Mahendru) instead of staying home and repairing his marriage to Sandra (Susan Misner). Yet, viewers know that Nina is informing on Stan to the KGB, trying to glean his CIA secrets, so she’s using him. So the setup in “Comrades” is that Stan thinks he’s in loving union but isn’t, and Phillip thinks he’s not but may be. This is some pretty interesting writing.

More tantalizing, though, is that realization by Phillip and Elizabeth this week that their job may not be the one they need to be in to protect their family. So far, THE AMERICANS has kept the personal and the spy lives separate for its lead couple, which is how they want it. But events in “Comrades,” from an early accident in the opening scene, to later, more obvious twists, threaten to bring the two worlds together. This would not be good for anyone, and puts their children, Paige (Holly Taylor) and Henry (Keidrich Sellati), in danger.

Will Phillip and Elizabeth continue their lifestyle if their children cannot be safe? I know they are dedicated to the cause and willing to risk their own lives, but they’re also loving parents, and have natural parental instincts. It seems like this has the potential to be a total game-changer, a reason for them to shift position in their work. I don’t know for sure if anything will really come of this, but if nothing else, “Comrades” will get the characters and the audience thinking about the current status quo, and that’s enough for solid TV.

Of course, Paige is still suspicious of her parents, and so may drag them out into the open whether they want to be or not, or force their hands in making an important decision. But this plot is still early in its development, so it’s hard to say where it will go at this point.

And for those of you who watch THE AMERICANS for good, action-oriented spy sequences, there are those, too, in this premiere. Personally, while I like a good scene that can get the adrenaline pumping, I prefer character studies, and appreciate when the excitement is tied into meaning for the person involved, or changes their perspective in some way. This isn’t always the case in this show, but it does a pretty good job of balancing the two components, personal stories and suspenseful spy stuff, and “Comrades” should satisfy both camps.

THE AMERICANS airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on FX.

The Americans Meet "The Colonel"

Article first published as TV Review: The Americans - "The Colonel" on Blogcritics.

FX draws season one of The Americans to a close with "The Colonel." Despite reservations by many involved, the KGB orders the meet with The Colonel (Victor Slezak, Treme) to go forward, feeling the valuable intel they expect him to provide is worth the risk. Of course, this not go smoothly.

The Americans has really crafted an entertaining and complex world in this first season. It's easy to get lost into the cat and mouse spy game of the 1980s in such a richly developed world, and the cast and writers have done an amazing job at making the story accessible. While the season started a bit slow, in my opinion, by this week's finale, I am firmly a fan.


The central question of this episode, rather or not to meet with The Colonel, is an engaging plot. As the viewer, we are kept at much in the dark about The Colonel's sincerity as the characters are. We don't know if they should meet with him, but because every main player is wary, we feel tense at the thought.

Which is why, when The Colonel turns out to be as harmless as the Star Wars program the Russians are seeking information about, it's a great surprise. Spy shows do a good job delivering nasty twists, but to get an unexpected nice reveal is a treat.

Unfortunately, while The Colonel is harmless, the FBI has still set up a sting to catch the KGB agents. It feels weird to be saying 'unfortunately' in that sentence, but The Americans has me rooting for Phillip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell), and as much as I like Stan (Noah Emmerich) on the other side of the equation, I don't want him to catch them. At least not until the story can move in a direction that lets all three work together.

Phillip actually takes the meeting with The Colonel away from Elizabeth to protect her. Ironic that the mission she is left with, picking up the tape, ends up being the dangerous one. They fail to get their objective, but it's likely their objective has been tainted anyway.


More importantly, we get to see Phillip play the hero towards Elizabeth, not just in switching her assignments, but in rushing to her rescue when she gets into trouble. Their sham marriage has been rocky, which is a shame, but it's clear that some affection has grown between the couple in all the years they've been together. Phillip's actions, and Elizabeth's response to them, asking Phillip to move back home, proves this.

Phillip may have a problem repairing his marriage to Elizabeth, though, since he now also has a second union with Martha (Alison Wright). It's part of the job, not cheating, thankfully, but Elizabeth doesn't seem comfortable around Martha, posing as Phillip's sister, even though she herself sleeps with the enemy in service for her country. One wonders if Elizabeth sees Martha as more of a threat because she is such a fixture in Phillip's going-ons. Will Martha be a serious obstacle to Elizabeth's matrimonial bliss?

I don't think it will be long before Stan catches onto his neighbors' secret lives. Not only does he already have suspicions of them prior to "The Colonel," but he is present for what goes down in this season finale, so when Phillip asks him to watch their children when Elizabeth is shot during the chaos, it's likely to rile his instincts even more.


The thing that might delay Stan's investigation is his wife, Sandra (Susan Misner, promoted to main cast for season two). She refuses his offer of a vacation this week. If Stan wants his marriage not to fall apart he may have to concentrate a bit more on his home life, rather than his work. This would be good news for Elizabeth and Phillip.

Stan's life may be complicated even more by Nina (Annet Mahendru), assuming she isn't shipped back to Moscow. She isn't in anyone's good graces, Russian or American, her loyalties torn. She might just disappear between seasons, or she might want revenge on Stan for not helping her get out of the mess with her people. We'll have to wait and see about her.

The more immediate person close to finding out about them is Paige (Holly Taylor), their daughter. However, even after going into the laundry room where her mother has a hidden compartment in the wall, Paige doesn't see anything. She has no reason to think that her parents are Russian spies, so she may stay in the dark. But there's a bit of a fake out this week in regards to her.

I'm anxious to see how the kids will take the news when who their parents are is eventually revealed. They are born and raised in America, taught to hate and distrust the Russians as much as any American kid. Elizabeth, as hard as it might be for her, and less so for Phillip, doesn't correct this view. I wonder if Paige and her brother, Henry (Keidrich Sellati), will be able to support and love their parents, no matter what?


Another nice reveal we get in "The Colonel" is that Claudia, a.k.a. Granny (Margo Martindale), is a good person who cares about her charges. The way she backs up the KGB's orders makes her seem cold and stupid. But in a private moment this week, we see that just because she passes down said orders doesn't mean she agrees with them. She's a soldier who obeys, but when appropriate, questions, authority. We see how much she looks out for Elizabeth and Philip, which should instantly change many opinions about her.

It's too bad she is slated to be transferred as this season comes to a close, at Elizabeth's request. Elizabeth can't be blamed, as Claudia does appear to be unreasonable when relaying orders. But now, having seen who she really is, fans of The Americans likely won't want her to leave. She's become too vital a part of the fabric of the show.

Martindale is in a sitcom pilot, but if we're lucky, it won't get picked up. If that happens, The Americans should sign her as a full-time cast member immediately.

The Americans has been renewed for a second season and will return to FX in 2014.

THE AMERICANS are "In Control"

First published as THE AMERICANS Review Season 1 Episode 4 In Control on Seat42F.

Grade: 89%

This week’s installment of FX’s THE AMERICANS is entitled “In Control.” No one knows exactly who is in control when President Reagan is shot. The CIA scramble to find out if the Russians are behind it. So, in fact, do the Russian agents, who are also on the lookout for a U.S. government coup.

The assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan is the first major historical event that intersects with THE AMERICANS, but it is a vitally important one. Set during the Cold War, “In Control” reminds us just how tense things are in that time period, and how close we are to war. If Reagan’s shooter had been a Soviet, instead of some guy trying to impress Hollywood actress Jodi Foster, World War III could have begun at that moment. If the Russians had struck first, assuming the U.S. would attack them, as they could have if the Jennings had reported the garbled conversation they overheard, the same could have happened.

After watching “In Control,” it makes me think it’s a wonder that nothing like this did happen. Too many people who are too paranoid in positions of power. Rumors can spin out of control and provoke nuclear war. How did we survive such a thing?

Elizabeth (Keri Russell) would have been the spark of just such an incident. She wants to hand over the choppy recording, in keeping with their orders. Phillip (Matthew Rhys), who seems to understand American culture better, objects. He wins the argument, and thus prevents an incident. This means as much as she loves her country, she may have come to care about Phillip just a little more, which may affect her allegiance as the show goes on.

It’s interesting to see Elizabeth trust Phillip’s judgment, especially when she so clearly doesn’t agree with it. Weeks ago, she comes close to turning him in for possible treason, until an act of love on his part stops her short. Even though the real romance between these covert spies is just beginning, Elizabeth is clearly invested in their marriage already.

It’s not too often on television that we see a relationship like this. Elizabeth and Phillip have been living together undercover for a long time, and are just now falling for one another. It’s unconventional in every sense of the word, but incredibly sweet, after all this time. They are familiar, and also slightly strangers. They know a lot about one another, but there are also a lot of secrets.

There is a period during “In Control” where the bond they are just beginning to build could easily fall apart. For most couples in the early stages of dating, they would be over before they even begin. Yet, Elizabeth decides to listen to Phillip, and Phillip doesn’t hold it against her that she voices her concern. This belies a deeper trust that they have in each other, which could mean that their feelings aren’t as fresh as we, the viewers, are told they are, or even as the characters themselves might believe. Perhaps they have been in love for awhile, and are only now able to admit it to themselves.

I do worry that Phillip and Elizabeth are going to get caught, though. They are taking bigger chances lately, follow orders from their new handler, Claudia (Margo Martindale, Justified). She is pushing them to act swiftly, which isn’t as safe as their previous assignments have been. This week, she has them ready a cache of weapons for guerilla warfare. I hope she doesn’t expose them with her instructions.

Plus, it may not be a good idea for them to spend so much effort bonding with their CIA neighbor, Stan (Noah Emmerich). Their questions about the shooter can be seen as concerned citizens talking to a friend, but Stan could also take them for what they are, intelligence gathering. Stan is already a bit suspicious. Perhaps it would be better to be a little less chummy.

Of course, in any great drama, each side will suffer setbacks. Stan’s is brewing on the home front as his wife, Sandra (Susan Misner), complains they aren’t spending enough time together. Whether Stan divides his attentions to give her what she wants, or whether he ignores her, causing his marriage to fall apart, either scenario could hurt him personally and, by extension, professionally. This might provide a break for the Jennings at a key moment down the line.

It’s hard to root against Stan, but at the same time, Elizabeth and Phillip are highly sympathetic characters. They may be double agents working for the enemy, but they are also parents who care about their family. People are people, and whose flag they salute depends a lot on where they are born; not everything, if anything, they do is evil. This makes the series an intelligent, complex picture of a number of individuals, rather than the old fashioned good vs. evil dynamic.

Four episodes in, I still think the pacing may be a tad slow for my taste, but I am quickly becoming enamored of the series. THE AMERICANS has a fantastic cast who excel at what they are doing, and the writing is smarter than what I first perceived. I am definitely going to keep watching, as I don’t see any clear path laid out for how the story will proceed, which is exciting.

THE AMERICANS airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

The Americans can be deceptive

Article first published as THE AMERICANS Series Premiere Review at Seat42F

Grade: 86%

FX’s newest drama, THE AMERICANS, premieres this Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET. It is a period piece set during the Cold War. Ronald Reagan is president, and the Russians would do nearly anything to destroy their greatest enemy. For Russian spies who have been living in the United States for the better part of two decades, it becomes hard to maintain loyalty to their country, appreciating the finer things in America, like air conditioning. After having children and keeping things a secret, it might be tempting to give up one’s homeland for a nice cash pay out.

Or is it? The question of loyalties and allegiance are at the heart of THE AMERICANS, and it’s never a simple answer. Sort of like Homeland, but without quite as much mystery.

The two main characters, Phillip (Matthew Rhys, Brothers & Sisters) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell, Felicity), are Russians who were placed together in their job, forced to fake a romantic connection. Their union isn’t born of love, but part of the question posed right out of the gate is, is there love between them? There seems to be, from at least one side.

How hard would it be to live together, raising children, and not fall in love? Yes, there are plenty of unhappy marriages around the world, people who choose to be together, but can’t make it work. Yet, there are also a plethora of examples of arranged marriages that have turned out quite nicely. In Phillip and Elizabeth’s case, they are alone with a secret, isolated in a strange land, for a very long time, which means their bond extends beyond just the offspring.

Even the kids (Holly Taylor and Keidrich Sellati) are kept in the dark. This is done out of necessity, of course. It’s hard enough for adults to live a double life and keep their mouths shut; no one can expect the same out of children. But this makes for a very uneasy family unit, as the kids are taught to be patriotic Americans, and the parents can do nothing to correct these views without risking exposure. In such a place and time as when THE AMERICANS is set, the Russians are viewed as the enemy. That means the Jennings children learn in school to be against the very things their parents are devoting their lives to. Obviously, this creates some friction.

But as interesting as the family issues are to ponder and discuss, they are merely one aspect of the show. Phillip and Elizabeth are active agents. In the first episode, they take down an enemy of their native state, and have to keep him hidden while they decide what to do. This makes for some nail biting action sequences and tense scenes as they try to keep the hostage unseen.

What complicates things even more is that Elizabeth has a history with the particular scum bag with which they tussle. This plays into her decisions and actions, just as the fact that Phillip is in the dark plays to his. Even within this married couple that have shared almost everything, there are still secrets, and trust is not absolute, at least for one of the two parties.

I really enjoyed watching the interplay between Rhys and Russell. There are so many layers to their characters, and a great many factors must be taken into account in concocting every facial nuance. These vary, too, by time period, as there are a few flashbacks. The two stars are pros. They really keep viewers on their toes, while also showing a believable and sympathetic couple of individuals. Should THE AMERICANS ever turn into a war between them, I honestly have no clue who I would root for. Better that they stay together.

Yet, there is always that threat of a division. They don’t go into the assignment on equal footing, and limited by the amount of the past they are allowed to bring up, they can’t ever be their true selves. It’s a rotten way to live, and thus far, Phillip and Elizabeth have kept to their orders. The story told in the series starts at a crossroads, and which path each of them choose will determine whether they forge a stronger bond, or fall apart completely.

Then, there is the added outside threat of the feds who would very much like to catch them. One agent named Stan (Noah Emmerich, White Collar, The Truman Show) moves in next door to them, completely oblivious to who they are at first. Unluckily for the Russians, his instincts are sharp, and it isn’t long before he gets a tingling of suspicion. This is a story definitely not fated to play out for many years, and the status quo between Stan and the Jennings will not last long.

I am also interested to see what other actors will bring to the table. The official website counts the fantastic Margo Martindale (Justified) as a main player, although she is not to be found in the first episode. We get a glimpse of Richard Thomas (The Waltons) in this installment, and I hope he sticks around awhile.

What is puzzling to me about this pilot is, all of what I have just described sounds really, really cool. Yet, I grew somewhat bored over the course of the hour plus. It’s not a bad show, by any means, but it’s a slow moving one, at least, so far. Other series have pulled off sluggish pacing and managed to keep things interesting, but for some reason, the draw is lacking a bit here. It will be interesting to see if this is just because so much time is needed to set the story up in the first episode, or if there are larger problems that make themselves known over the course of the season.

The Walking Dead is no dying fire

AMC's The Walking Dead ends season two with "Beside the Dying Fire." In the aftermath of killing Shane (Jon Bernthal), twice, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Carl (Chandler Riggs) make their way back to the farmhouse. But a horde of walkers interrupts their progress, soon overrunning the property. A plan by the others to corral them and lead them away fails because of the sheer number of the walkers, and soon the human group is splintered. A couple familiar faces are lost as the survivors scramble to get away in twos and threes, only to meet up later. The debriefing does not go smoothly.

Many have complained about the lack of walkers throughout the often slow-moving second season. "Beside the Dying Fire" satisfies those fans, and then some, with a huge extended fight scene full of fire, flesh ripping, and gun shots. It is certain that this opening sequence, lasting nearly half of the episode, is the biggest walker battle that The Walking Dead has ever done.

It's also the coolest, proving that most of the characters have now developed enough to handle themselves in such a situation. The ones that haven't, like Jimmy (James Allen McCune) and Patricia (Jane McNeill), well, they don't make it out alive. Season two has been a slow burn, to be sure, but its heavy character development comes to a head in "Beside the Dying Fire," and this trial by fire, literally, is a judgement of a sorts.

Fans are told over and over again that people have to be hardened, make tough choices, and live with no rules to survive The Walking Dead. Sometimes this can be taken for granted in a group, where there is safety in numbers. Weaker members of the party rely heavily on the others, and it works out OK. But some less-tough characters take the opportunity to learn from their comrades because, when the chips are down, every person must be able to handle themselves. And now there are only one or two characters left who may not be able to do this.

It's good that The Walking Dead doesn't kill off anyone major in "Beside the Dying Fire." Jimmy and Patricia are minor characters who haven't had a lot to do, so they are expendable. After losing Shane and Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) in the past two episodes, it would have been really hard to take anyone else important meeting their demise. The excitement and thrill of the fight scene gives plenty of closure to the current arcs, and by taking out their haven, two smaller roles, and tons of walker extras, the death quota is satisfied.

Patricia and Jimmy's deaths will affect more important characters, such as Hershel (Scott Wilson). Hershel was originally supposed to die in season two, which makes a certain amount of sense, in that as the others abandon the farm, they leave behind the man who runs it. But, thankfully, this creative decision was reversed, and Hershel, after a close call, makes it to safety. Wilson plays the part with such gravitas, and leaves enough unanswered questions behind to keep viewers engaged with his character moving forward.

As everyone flees in "Beside the Dying Fire," only Andrea (Laurie Holden) is left behind alive. It's a tragic moment, and very frustrating, given the place Andrea holds in many fans' hearts. Not that anyone is in any position to rescue her, but abandoning her still feels wrong.

Somehow Andrea escapes into the woods. This is believable because she is at the fringe of the confrontation, and because she is then pursued for hours by lots of walkers, whom she tries to take out one by one. Not many could live through such an escape, which tests endurance to the limit, but Andrea is one of the most capable characters, and so is a good choice to put in this situation.

Of course, even Andrea can't keep up the pace forever. She stumbles and faces imminent death. So enter Michonne (Danai Gurira, Treme).

All right, so Gurira has just been cast, and a stand in is used in "Beside the Dying Fire." That doesn't change the fact that viewers are now introduced to a pivotal character from The Walking Dead comics who is coming on board on television program next year. Michonne is hooded, wields a samurai sword, and is trailed by two arm-less, jaw-less walkers on chains. She is an imposing figure, making for a heck of a reveal in the finale, even if her face remains hidden.

On Talking Dead, producers speak of Michonne being the first character introduced in The Walking Dead who has learned how to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. The already familiar characters have been growing, as mentioned above, and are starting to figure out what it takes to survive. But Michonne already knows. Will they be open to learning from her, or will they clash as Rick resists handing over leadership? And that's assuming, of course, that Andrea and Michonne even connect with the group.

The stage is set for a Walking Dead reunion, though. Another big reveal in "Beside the Dying Fire" is a well fortified prison only a short ways away from the on-the-run survivors. It will play a large part in season three, which the cast and crew claims will be even better than season two, by quite a large amount. Because of this hub, which will surely bring people back together, it seems like Andrea should have no problem getting her reunion, whether she welcomes it or not.

This also sets the stage for another familiar face, as surely people from miles around will be drawn to the base. Specifically, Merle (Michael Rooker) has been confirmed to be returning to The Walking Dead. Will he be an illusion, like earlier in season two, or will he be flesh and blood this time? Signs point to the latter, but we'll see.

Oh, and the Governor, the most well-known villain of the comics, will also be in season three. So there is plenty to get excited about.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group, sans Andrea, spends the last part of "Beside the Dying Fire" spilling every secret left. Or, at least, Rick does, and since he's the one the fans have seen keeping big secrets, it's cathartic to see him tell the others, even as they feel betrayed. Rick not only admits to killing Shane, which they should be thanking him for, but also tells them the secret that Jenner (Noah Emmerich) entrusted to Rick in the finale of season one: they've all been infected.

What does this mean? Well, it means that if one is killed but the body is not destroyed, that person will rise back up as a walker. This has already been shown to happen to Shane. Rick stabs Shane, but Shane comes after him as an undead walker. Luckily, Carl puts walker Shane down for a final time.

Rick tells Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) the tale first, and she is shocked, in a bad way. She won't even let Rick touch her. Lori has much to do with the showdown of Rick and Shane, her words sparking much of their conflict, and both men wanting her causing a lot of the strife. But she just can't believe how ends up unfolding. Perhaps she is feeling guilty for her part in Shane's death, thinking that she could force a showdown that didn't end with a killing. Perhaps she didn't anticipate the change it would cause in Rick to murder his best friend. Maybe she's just mad that Carl, her 'innocent' child, gets involved. Whatever the reason, she seems to be at least as upset with herself as she is with her husband.

These secrets pour out of Rick during a bit of a psychological snap. He grows much colder, and takes more control. The others watch on with seeming horror as Rick declares that they are no longer a democracy, and that he is in charge. No one gets up to dispute him or leave, but that could simply be due to circumstance. Up til this point, Rick has the respect of everyone. They follow him because they want to. Now will they follow him only because they fear death if they separate from the group?

However it plays out, fans will have to wait until fall for answers. Word is that there will be two batches of eight episodes each in season three, making it the longest season yet. It is said to be quite a bit better than season two, but even if it's only just as good, it should be a fantastic adventure.


The Walking Dead will return to AMC this fall.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to read all of my The Walking Dead reviews. To buy The Walking Dead DVDs, Blu-rays, streaming episodes, and books, please click here. Article first published as TV Review: The Walking Dead - "Beside the Dying Fire" on Blogcritics.

The Walking Dead Ends Season One

    Mad Men fits perfectly with how I see AMC, with its old movie tone and style. Breaking Bad was somewhat of a departure, but nothing compares to The Walking Dead. If I had listed 100 channels in the order of which one I found likely to air a zombie series, AMC would have been near the bottom. Surely the network knew the huge gamble it was taking, hence the decision to order only six episodes of the first season, as opposed to the thirteen their other shows got.

     But boy did that gamble pay off! Besides giving AMC their best ratings ever, it's such a strong, enticing story with wonderful characters and deep moral questions. Last night marked the sixth and final episode of the freshman season, "TS-19", and it will be nearly a year before season two (which will be a full thirteen episodes, by the way) makes it on screen. It's far too long a wait before we get new episodes after such a great finale.

     Does the title The Walking Dead refer to the infection-laden zombies, or the surviving characters walking among them? Surely, the argument can be made for either, especially after a finale with barely a zombie (or geek, as the show calls them) in sight. I suspect the answer is both.

     In my first review for the series, after watching the pilot, I raved about the direction and excellent craftmanship that went into the show, so I won't waste your time repeating all of that, though I will say that the elements introduced in the pilot were retained superbly throughout all six episodes. The acting quickly became even more impressive than it started. The issues the characters in Walking Dead deal with are so much more high stakes than the average television show. Yet, the series manages it without going over the top or too melodramatic.

     I also talked about deaths in the first review, and how they would have to be frequent, but not too frequent. Season one accomplished that, with a handful of characters biting the dust, and expanding the profile of the survivors left. At this point, everyone left alive in the now-on-the-move camp has had some development; there are no anonymous extras. This will probably slow down the body county as we move into season two, but that won't be unwelcome. Already, we've lost valuable players, and I'm not anxious to lose too many more.

     As far as mysteries go, plenty were left unanswered, providing so much story set up that season two will surely not lack for twists. Last week, we met Jenner (Noah Emmerich, White Collar), who did a fine job explaining just enough to keep viewers hooked. Last night, Jenner showed what happens medically in the brain as the infection runs its course, though he couldn't explain why it was happening. My only regret about Jenner is his death, as I would have loved for him to stick around a few more episodes.

     Similarly, Morgan (Lennie James) was introduced as someone incredibly interesting in the pilot, and then was never seen again. Yet. Though imdb lists James as appearing in the finale, so I wonder if there are some cut scenes that might make the DVD, and why they were not included. Additionally, we have not seen Merle (Michael Rooker) since the rooftop where he cut off his hand, but I expect both Merle and Morgan will pop up sometime in season two.

     For me, the most intriguing hanging plot, though, was the trivia that France came closest to a cure for whatever the infection is. Does that mean the show will become a globe-trotting epic? Because that would be pretty cool. I'd imagine the group would take a boat to Europe rather than a plane, but with the setting so open-ended, the possibilities for different segments, populations, and survivor types are infinite. I think the characters could easily spend a whole season just trying to get to the coast, let alone exploring outside of the United States.

     The Walking Dead is based on a graphic novel series, but one major departure frequently mentioned has been the survival of Shane (Jon Bernthal), who apparently was killed fairly early in the print version. I guess this is still TV, and a love triangle is necessary to keep up the drama, so I will excuse it. Not only excuse it, but praise them, if his violent, almost-rape of Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) is any indication of future arcs. In the same episode, we see just how much Shane cares for Rick (Andrew Lincoln) in an emotional flashback. When Rick finds out what Shane did with Lori, mixed feelings are going to fly. Can you fully hate the man who took care of your family during an apocalypse? Shane's fault has come after that, as it was perfectly reasonable for him to think Rick was dead and take up with Lori in the first place. His continued darkness now will likely be his downfall. Unless he earns redemption first.

     The three in the aforementioned paragraph are the hands down stars of the show. But the series works so well because of all of the supporting ones. The best scene last night did not come from Shane, Rick, or Lori, but between Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) and Andrea (Laurie Holden). Andrea made the choice to stay and die with Jenner, having lost all hope after the death of her sister. Dale was willing to die with her if she wouldn't leave, and only her guilt for his imminent demise saved Andrea's life. I was on pins and needles as their sweet game of chicken played out, and was grief stricken with the idea of loosing either, let alone both, so early in the show. I predict that these are the two who will be the break out favorites. Besides Glenn (Steven Yeun), of course, who is the easiest to identify with.

     Reruns will definitely be shown before season two comes around, and a DVD is already available for pre-order. I, for one, plan on watching every episode at least once more before next fall. I urge that if you have missed this phenomenon, or even if you haven't, you do the same. The Walking Dead airs on AMC.

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Article first published as TV Review: The Walking Dead Ends Season One on Blogcritics.

White Collar returns for summer heists

     Last week, USA's White Collar returned for a second season.  Considering it premiered last fall, then aired again this winter, it's gotten more episodes in the last twelve months than most USA shows.  But I'm not complaining.  The series about the partnership of an F.B.I. agent and a con-man with an electric ankle bracelet is good escapism, and the first episode back was no exception.  Called "Withdrawal", the team tried to stop a cocky bank robber who sent his business cards ahead to the banks he was thinking about robbing.  It provided plenty of action, a bit of a humor, and a few plot twists.  Plus, the villain was played by the wonderful Tim Matheson, who also directed the episode.

     But that's not what the series is really about, and the case of the week is not what sets White Collar aside from some of the other dramas on television.  No, the heart and ongoing plot is what makes the show special and worth watching.  The con-man, Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) is still stinging from the apparent death of his love two months ago when her jet blew up right in front of him.  The agent, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) is meeting secretly with Neal's criminal friend Mozzie (Willie Garson) to make sure that Neal isn't going to snap.  Not only that, but Peter is in very hot water after the jet's explosion, and the other mishaps that went along with it, and Neal doesn't realize just how precarious and scrutinized their continued agreement is right now.  Which makes it all the more cringe-inducing when Neal uses less than proper means to get the information needed to catch the bad guys.

     Mystery was further deepened when it was revealed that Agent Diana Lancing (Marsha Thomason) stole the music box that the whole finale centered on.  What is she doing with it?  Is she keeping it hidden from bad elements, or intending to use it for herself?  Does the Bureau or Peter know that she has it?  And soon (presumably next week) Peter is going after shifty Fowler (Noah Emmerich), who seems to have disappeared.  I don't like or trust Fowler, and I understand why Peter has kept Neal out of the loop on that investigation aspect, but there's still so much unknown going on there as well.  Plenty to keep checking back with the show on as the summer plays out.

     White Collar airs on USA Tuesday nights at 9pm, including tomorrow.