VEEP Not Second-Choice Release Today

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Veep - The Complete Fourth Season' on Blogcritics.

HBO’s Veep is about to begin its fifth season, so, not coincidentally, The Complete Fourth season arrives on Blu-ray and DVD this week. The series is a hilarious send-up of an inept politician who is in the job below the one she wants. With a stellar cast and sharp writing, somehow the program gets better with each subsequent year, and the fourth season is no exception.

As this run begins, Selina (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is Veep no longer, having taken the Oval Office after the president’s resignation. Despite getting to the job she wants, things do not get any easier for Selina as she bumbles through having actual authority and faces stiff primary challenge in the upcoming election. Unlike what she’d hoped while aspiring to the highest office in the land, everything doesn’t fall into place and she finds her difficulties to be greater than ever. Which makes for ripe comedic ground, this show relying heavily on mistakes and errors.

With Selina’s elevation, the staff is in disarray, too. Dan (Reid Scott) and Amy (Anna Chlumsky) struggle for control of the agenda, and while one gains an early lead, that is far from the end of their drama. Mike (Matt Walsh) may not be suited to the larger spotlight, while Gary (Tony Hale) feels edged out. Jonah (Timothy C. Simons) continues to hang on the fringe, looking for his in. Kent (Gary Cole) and Ben (Kevin Dunn) continue to attempt to do what’s best, but they aren’t always right, and aren’t always listened to when they are. Only Sue (Sufe Bradshaw) remains relatively unfazed, but that’s the role she plays in the crazy group.

Veep likes to bring in fresh faces, and why not? Any comedy actor should love to get on a series with this high a profile and this much acclaim. Sam Richardson (Spy), who has appeared on the series before as Richard, is given a larger presence in The Complete Fourth Season, being promoted to a full-time player. The terrific Patton Oswalt recurs throughout the season. Most notable, though, is Hugh Laurie’s (House) amusing turn as Tom James, Selina’s running mate who keeps overshadowing her. Is it on purpose or by accident? Is Tom angling to edge Selina out and take over, or is he just not as good as she hoped he’d be? You’ll have to watch to find out.

As usual, there are plenty of comedy-of-error moments and slapstick intermixed with witty dialogue and clever bits. Veep is both smart and dumb comedy, excelling at all levels of humor, and providing constant entertainment. It is certainly one of the most consistent series in the genre, rarely having a lesser episode or scene.

As with most sitcom television shows, there isn’t a huge difference in quality between high definition and standard. Obviously, the picture and sound are a lot crisper if you go for the Blu-ray version, but with few special effects or sweeping vistas, it’s not very noticeable. That being said, standard definition is starting to look like it’s from another era and it’s not something I’d ever recommend for a modern show when HD is available.

Where this set fails is in bonus features. Besides some deleted scenes and digital copies of the ten episodes, there is nothing else in this release. With such a phenomenal ensemble and all the Emmy wins, one would think somebody would sit down and talk to those involved about the series. There have got to be some good stories about things that happen on-set. Sadly, though, nothing along those lines is included, making this one of the worst groupings of extras I’ve seen. It’s not enough to sway me into not recommending The Complete Fourth Season; the episodes are still plenty worth it on their own. But it it regrettable.

Veep: The Complete Fourth Season will be available next Tuesday, April 19th at retailers everywhere.

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Bear the "Scars" of Ultron

Article originally written for Seat42F.

NOTE: This review is as much about the Marvel franchise as a whole as it is about this week’s television episode.

I hope you made it to the theater to see Avengers: Age of Ultron before watching this week’s episode of MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC. The installment, titled “Scars,” doesn’t serve the movie a lot, but the events are pivotal in how the S.H.I.E.L.D. characters relate to one another now, and there are enough mentions to spoil some of the key things in the movie. Still, MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is its own part of the franchise, so the majority of the hour focuses on arcs from this season of the show, not the movie.

If anything, I’m disappointed that the movie doesn’t tie in more to the series. There is a flashback to Coulson (Clark Gregg) and an agent Koenig (Patton Oswalt) viewing the helicarrier that Fury uses in the movie, but it really doesn’t go further than that, save some news clips shown on television screens. Shouldn’t Coulson have come to Fury’s aid? Do the Avengers know Coulson is alive? If we’d at least gotten a glimpse of some of our small screen heroes on the helicarrier on the big screen, I’d have been pretty happy. Though, I must say, Avengers: Age of Ultron was awesome!

But while Ultron himself and the crisis he causes does not impact the cast of MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. much directly, seeing the global near-disaster does bring S.H.I.E.L.D. and the “real” S.H.I.E.L.D. together, Gonzales (Edward James Olmos) willing to abandon his coup. For his part, Coulson realizes the value Gonzales and his council bring to the table and that he himself has made some mistakes, and so offers to make them his advisors, even while retaining the director title. Since Fury is involved, Gonzales agrees, albeit a bit reluctantly it seems. Civil war averted.

Or is it? Next spring, we’ll get Captain America: Civil War in theaters, and I can’t help but think some of the seeds of that are being planted in “Scars.” Gonzales compares Coulson to Tony Stark, a man acting on his own, ignorantly putting others in harm’s way. It’s a sentiment echoed in debates between Captain America and Iron Man, and I have to think MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. will play into that, assuming it is renewed. I just hope it plays a larger role than with this year’s film.

Gonzales himself won’t be the one butting heads with Coulson, though, as Jiaying (Dichen Lachman) murders him in “Scars.” Yes, S.H.I.E.L.D. may have come together, but S.H.I.E.L.D. still has an exterior foe in the Inhumans, who won’t make their film debut for a few years, likely when different Inhumans we haven’t seen yet are in charge. The Inhumans are the main antagonist now, with Hydra lying low, and take center stage this week.

Mack (Henry Simmons) would be an excellent replacement for Gonzales in opposing Coulson. He quits S.H.I.E.L.D. this week, unable to work for a man he doesn’t trust. But might Bobbi lure him back to sit on the advisor’s board, no longer being under Coulson? Mack is a great character and it would be a shame to lose him altogether. I hope “Scars” doesn’t mark his last appearance.

One cannot blame Jiaying for protecting her people. She has lived through a lot at the hands of very bad men, and while Gonzales’ offer of peace might be genuine, she would have to make big sacrifices to accept it. He wants to catalogue her people, keeping a database on them. That would make them easier to find and hunt, and she can’t have that. She doesn’t want to be under S.H.I.E.L.D.’s control.

In the past, S.H.I.E.L.D. mainly deals with humans. When superpowers are involved, they have their own heroes, The Avengers, to send in. “Scars” finds the humans of S.H.I.E.L.D. going head-to-head with powered peoples, and that puts S.H.I.E.L.D. at a huge disadvantage. While the Inhumans are generally not warlike and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are much better trained for battle, I can’t help but think that some of the big screen heroes may need to be brought in to resolve this without S.H.I.E.L.D. being left decimated.

All of this puts Skye (Chloe Bennet) squarely in the middle of the conflict. Jiaying is lying about Gonzales attacking her, and one assumes Cal (Kyle MacLachlan) has juiced up to fight, too, so the Inhumans are the instigators. But they are Skye’s family, and she does feel accepted by these people. On the other hand, Coulson is like a father to her and she is close with several other agents. I can’t see her truly fighting for either side, but she may have to. Which side will she pick, or can she broker peace in a situation that is already falling apart?

And how would things have turned out differently had Jiaying murdered Coulson instead of Gonzales? Jiaying likely wishes she had, removing Skye’s main connection to the other side.

The wild card here is not Raina (Ruth Negga), who Jiaying wisely locks up, but Ward (Brett Dalton) and 33 (Maya Stojan), who kidnap Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki). What do they want with her? What is their plan?

They are involved in my one big complaint about “Scars.” How does no one notice two agent Mays (Ming-Na Wen) in the strike force, and why does Gonzales’ jet not concern itself when Bobbi’s doesn’t check in? Does no one notice 33 has escaped? This part of the episode just doesn’t make sense to me.

Still, that kind of hole is unusual for this program, and MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. has done a great job building up something huge for next week’s two-hour season finale. Not to mention, I mostly like the way the show fits into the Marvel universe, even if I wish it had a slightly bigger role.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.’s sophomore run concludes next Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

"What" Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Has "Become"

Article originally written for Seat42F.

 

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. goes into its winter hiatus strong with “What They Become.” It’s a showdown above the hidden city as Daniel Whitehall (Reed Diamond), The Doctor (Kyle MacLachlan), and Director Coulson (Clark Gregg) all try to push their own agendas. Well, Coulson’s agenda is just to stop the other two before they bring about a cataclysmic event, but with the infighting among The Doctor and Whitehall, it becomes an all-out brawl. No one is listening to orders, and one of our heroes doesn’t make it out alive.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. sometimes lets plots fester too slowly, but that complaint cannot be lobbied against the current arc, which has unfolded quickly and excitingly. The writers have kept the adrenaline pumping and the twists coming, including learning we’ve already seen Skye’s mother (Dichen Lachman) this week, which feels more like one of their films than a twenty-some-installments-per-year television show, a good thing for this particular series to do. By the end of the hour, I’m left quite dissatisfied with the three month break, wanting to watch the next chapter immediately, so they’ve done their jobs well.

It’s been cool to see Skye’s (Chloe Bennet) growth throughout the show. She’s gone from an angry, insecure rebel to a polished, tough agent in a year and a half. Before May (Ming-Na Wen) trains her, she may not have been able to stand up to her father, The Doctor, so easily, nor would she have shot Ward (Brett Dalton) as she does, without blinking. She’s become someone who can take care of herself, and separated from the group, that really comes out in “What They Become.”

I’m eager to see the next stage in Skye’s evolution. “What They Become” ends with her transforming into something else entirely. It appears she is a being with superpowers, which will take an emotional and physical toll on her, but like a polished diamond, likely send her out the other side better than she came in. She has the presence to handle such a change now, as she did not before, and given who she is, it’ll be interesting to see how she chooses to use what she has.

It’s unlikely the new Skye will want to include her dad in her life, but may be forced to in order to find answers. Coulson beats The Doctor in one-on-one combat, but surely Coulson doesn’t kill him. If The Doctor is the only one (besides the faceless man in the epilogue) that can explain things to Skye, then she may need him, at least in a prisoner-behind-glass sort of arrangement, which MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. has done before pretty well.

It’s sad that the cost of that transformation is Trip (B.J. Britt). He doesn’t die in a heroic, noble sacrifice. He dies doing his job and rushing to a friend’s side, unaware of the danger. Nor is Skye able to warn him, not knowing herself what is coming. His demise is purely an accident, one that will make Skye less likely to embrace her new self, as it’s a cost she wouldn’t choose to pay. It’s also a way for the series to lose an important, beloved player for a real emotional impact without touching its core cast, which makes sense from a practical standpoint.

Skye isn’t the only one that transforms, though. Right beside her, Raina (Ruth Negga) goes through a similar metamorphosis. We don’t understand Skye’s connection to Raina yet, but it’s fascinating the role that Raina plays in the show. She’s practically ever-present, and every time one might assume her story is over, MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. brings her back to the forefront in a fresh development. She’s the villain that is always around, not purely evil and bent on world domination, but someone far less moral than our heroes, and one who gets in their way. Unlike Skye, Raina is eager for her change, and will probably be more willing to use any new powers she has gained. What are Raina’s goals now? Does the team need to stop her?

There are a plethora of wonderful, smaller moments in “What They Become,” too. From charged scenes between Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) and Hunter (Nick Blood), to a re-appearance of Mac (Henry Simmons), who looks like he may now be back to normal, to funny dialogue that the Koenigs (Patton Oswalt) toss to Trip, every scene is valuable. These bits are as important as the big stuff in keeping the series consistently engrossing and enjoyable, and they are very present in this truly excellent mid-season finale.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. returns in March on ABC. In the meantime, the network will air the seven-week MARVEL’S AGENT CARTER beginning in January.

"Enter" MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

Article first published as MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Review Season 2 Episode 9 Ye Who Enter Here on Seat42F.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. tees up a heck of a winter finale next week in its latest installment, “Ye Who Enter Here.” The team locates the hidden city and immediately goes to it, Hydra hot on their heels. Secrets are stumbled upon and the game unfolds unpredictably as the show rockets through plot at a quicker pace than it ever has, while still maintaining some good character-driven stuff.

It’s hard to tell how many of Whitehall’s (Reed Diamond) moves are planned and how many are on the fly in “Ye Who Enter Here.” He uses the S.H.I.E.L.D. tracking device in Raina (Ruth Negga) to follow her to the city and get her back, but is that something he figures out late in the game, or does he set Raina up in an elaborate machination? It certainly seems like Whitehall is thinking on his feet, which is a welcome leveling of the playing field, Hydra having been working at a distinct advantage for most of the season.

Of course, that advantage may be regained by the end of this hour. With both Raina and Skye (Chloe Bennet) in Hydra’s clutches, thanks to a newly recommitted Ward (Brett Dalton), Hydra hovers over the mysterious location and has The Bus at its mercy. At this point, Whitehall might be smart to kill everyone, which is exactly what he orders, though we don’t yet have the chance to see it play out.

Certainly the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. team will not be killed; without them, there would be no show. However, MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t shy away from knocking its leads out of their current orbits. Ward’s reveal as a villain is an example of that, and in the latest installment, Mac (Henry Simmons), who is not a main character but has become a much-valued member of the team this year, is changed, possibly forever, and possibly killed.

We’ve only scratched the surface of the hidden city so far. Mac is the first one down, after the drones lose power, and he transforms into some kind of super human. We don’t know why or how yet, but no amount of pleading with him will awaken the real Mac from this berserker body that attacks everyone else. The confrontation ends with Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) accidentally sending Mac falling down a shaft, which he may or may not survive, given his new state.

Coulson (Clark Gregg) seems a little callous when he tells Bobbi simply that that wasn’t Mac. He’s right, but we don’t know if Mac still exists inside the body or if Mac’s personality can come back to the surface. I certainly hope it does, as I would miss that character. But I’m more disturbed by Coulson’s transformation than Mac’s, as Coulson needs to still care deeply about his people, even if he’s finally finding the distance of leadership he also needs.

If Mac is gone, Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) is in trouble, as Mac is the one friend keeping Fitz going. Fitz and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) finally talk about the state of their broken relationship, but rather than hammer it out and make up, Fitz announces he’s transferring to the garage with Mac. It’s a heart-breaking development, even if it makes sense, because Mac really helps bring Fitz out of his shell and begin to heal. If Mac is out of the picture, Fitz might need Simmons back, whether he wants to admit it or not.

There are signs that a reconciliation is possible. Simmons has her own friends, too, sharing great scenes with Trip (B.J. Britt) and Bobbi in “Ye Who Enter Here.” But she also has time for Fitz, and seems less happy with the dissolution than he does, a decision he makes unilaterally. She still finishes his thought at the city entrance, so their bond is still there. I just can’t believe they are fully over, in large part due to the truly excellent chemistry the two performers share.

I can’t help but feel that Skye is key to what will happen next. She’s now a prisoner, but this week’s episode shows she’s progressed enough in her combat training to handle herself in a tough spot, so that’s not super worrying. Raina makes a number of references to Skye being special, something more than human, but not alien. Fans of the Marvel comic books are full of theories about Skye’s connection to the Inhumans, a subspecies of Homo sapiens created by the Kree, who are mentioned in “Ye Who Enter Here.” That is fascinating and I’m excited to see what introducing the Inhumans will do not just MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., but the whole Marvel franchise. However, I’m much more interested in Skye’s personal journey and how it may shift due to this.

I can’t end my review without mentioning how awesome it is to have Patton Oswalt playing not one, but two Agent Koenigs this week. The humor he brings to the proceedings is simply invaluable, and the man simply radiates talent. He is able to get a bit dramatic when confronting the killer of one of his brothers, and I think that’s a good layer for the Koenigs to have, but it’s also very valuable to have him tease others about how many brothers there are and have each of the two siblings featured this week claim the other is shorter. This is gold that show should continue to mine. He would make a valuable main character addition if they can lock him down.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. has had an interesting fall run, perhaps not as intense as last spring’s story, but with some wonderful fresh faces and the foundation of another big arc. I am confident that next week’s fall finale is going to be a memorable one.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Comes Back From the "Shadows"

Article first published as MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Review Season 2 Episode 1 Shadows on Seat42F.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is back! Airing last night, the second season premiere, “Shadows,” picks up several months after the shocking events of last spring’s finale. Director Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) has stepped away from the team to run the entire new S.H.I.E.L.D. agency. Everyone, which includes quite a few more people than the original team, now works out of the secret base known as The Playground. And some characters are much-changed.

The episode begins with a glimpse of Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and the Howling Commandos in 1945, a welcome connection to the upcoming miniseries, Agent Carter, that will air when MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. goes on winter hiatus. Peggy and her crew are capturing an artifact from Hydra officer Daniel Whitehall (Reed Diamond, Franklin & Bash, Dollhouse). In the present day, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra (including a still-youthful Whitehall) hunt the same object, which is now controlled by the government and Brigadier General Glenn Talbot (Adrian Pasdar).

The dynamic between the three organizations, S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra, and the U.S. military, will definitely be giving the show plenty of legs to run on this season. As it stands now, Hydra is winning, with the larger, globally-expansive network, while S.H.I.E.L.D. is rebuilding desperately. One would think it makes sense for the American government to side with S.H.I.E.L.D., but those in charge of the troops, specifically petty Talbot, have been burned when S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsed, and are justifiably wary about getting in bed with them again, especially after such a public campaign against them. It’s an unstable mix, which can only result in entertaining showdowns.

Poor Coulson is stuck in a terrible situation. Not only is he struggling to recruit enough reliable people to help build the organization Fury has entrusted him with, but now he has to look at the bigger picture, which means weighing his personal feelings for his agents against what has to be done in the war game. This means he has to endanger people he cares about, as well as send them into extremely uncomfortable situations they don’t want to be in. Coulson still isn’t a bad guy, but he’s sure to tick off some of our heroes when putting the world ahead of them, which will spark good, authentic drama.

Skye (Chloe Bennet) is now a full-fledged agent, working under the tutelage of May (Ming-Na Wen). That doesn’t mean she’s ready, though, when Coulson sends her to pump Ward (Brett Dalton), imprisoned in The Playground, for information. She’s still deeply wounded by the turncoat, and can’t stomach to look at him long, even as he tries to promise her secrets on her origin. She’s much better at the physical stuff, surprisingly.

Ward is very different now. His driving purpose seems to be his love for Skye, which she is certainly not returning. His suicide attempts and unkempt appearance indicate he’s given up on rejoining Hydra and may not care about it at all, now that his mentor is dead. I’m not sure where MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is going with him, but I’m very glad he’s been kept around and allowed to be a dynamic character. His psychosis is a delicious thing for the actor to play, and he’s doing a fine job of it so far.

Even more startling than the new Ward is Fitz’s (Iain De Caestecker) mental state. We know he’s injured, but for most of “Shadows,” it just seems like he stutters a bit. It isn’t until the end of the episode that viewers are clued in to the fact that Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) left the base some time ago, and her appearances in the hour are hallucinations. This indicates far deeper problems, with no one quite trusting Fitz to do his job any more, but still keeping him around out of loyalty. How long will it take Fitz to recover, or will he ever? (I’m going to guess he’ll return to form by mid-season.)

“Shadow” brings a lot of new blood into MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., and that’s a good thing. The structure of the show has changed, and by necessity, we need more faces to fill it. Lucy Lawless (Battlestar Galactica, Xena: Warrior Princess) is fantastic as Agent Hartley, and I’m very sad she is killed off so quickly. But we still get another appearance of a Koenig (Patton Oswalt), whom I hope sticks around as much as possible. Triplett (B.J. Britt) deserves a promotion to central cast, a full part of the team by this point. There’s also a mercenary named Lance Hunter (Nick Blood, Trollied) and a mechanic named Mac (Henry Simmons, Man Up, NYPD Blue) in the season premiere.

Interestingly, the ABC press site still only lists the six core main characters, while Blood’s name is in the Starring portion of the opening credits. The way all these new people are handled, it’s easy to be unsure about who’s a main character and who isn’t. However, given Joss Whedon’s connection to the project, I recommend not worrying about that, as he has a tendency to heavily use good performers over a long period of time, even if they are not added to the principal cast.

As you may have surmised from the above review, there’s a lot going on in MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. this year, and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. Of note, we also got to see a man who can change his substance, a cool jet that can turn invisible, and more glimpses of the doodle lines crazy Coulson draws. With so many balls in the air, fans are sure to be in for a heck of a fall run, jam-packed with action, story, and continued character development in TV’s current best superhero series, and that’s saying something, given the suddenly-crowded field.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Flashback With THE GOLDBERGS

Article first published as THE GOLDBERGS Review on Seat42F.

ABC’s THE GOLDBERGS is a family sitcom of the traditional variety that happens to be set in the 1980s. The Goldbergs are an average American middle-class family who love each other, but yell a lot. There’s a mother, father, grandpa, and three children, a recipe for a very typical show.

The draw, if you will, is that THE GOLDBERGS is based on the real-life family of producer Adam F. Goldberg (Breaking In, Community). The end of the pilot, “The Circle of Driving,” highlights that by showing the parallels of Goldberg’s real family and the characters in split screen. In this, the show feels very authentic and is definitely based on something true.

The problem is, there are already a gluttony of realistic family sitcoms on the air and in the annals of television history. Other writers and creators have families, too, and have gotten to the dance well before Goldberg. Should we keep the party going just as it’s breaking up? What sets THE GOLDBERGS apart from Modern Family, The Middle, or even The Cosbys? Nothing, sadly.

Now, that doesn’t mean THE GOLDBERGS is an unpleasant show. Wendi McLendon Covey (Bridesmaids, Reno 911!) is terrific as an overbearing mom and Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) makes a great out-of-touch, always-raising-his-voice dad. The child actors, Troy Gentile, Sean Giambrone, and Hayley Orrantia, are mostly unknown, but fit in well, and George Segal (Just Shoot Me!) is a wonderful grandfather. It’s a solid cast who can handle the parts and the comedy well.

There are some notable moments in “The Circle of Driving.” I like when the mother thinks that throwing away a locket given to her elder son will hurt his feelings. Pops coaches the youngest child in picking up women, and they find just the right restaurant in which to do so by the end of the half hour. We see a moment where the parents, away from their kids, demonstrate their love for one another. These are good scenes.

The issues this family faces, such as empty nest syndrome, an elderly man being forced to give up some of his freedoms, sibling rivalry, a father who doesn’t know how to show affection, an adolescent becoming obsessed with boobs, a sixteen-year-old wanting his own car, and others, are relatable. These are things we’ve all experienced, and thus will be able to smile at, knowing exactly how the characters feel.

But there is little fresh in “The Circle of Driving.” As stated before, there are many family sitcoms already out there, and all of this ground has been covered extensively. We might giggle at a stray joke, but we’re not going to celebrate the writers for being clever or award Emmys to the actors for playing a set-in-stone type. It’s a family-friendly program the clan can watch together at night, but it won’t be anyone’s favorite, must-see show.

The best chance THE GOLDBERGS have to set itself apart is that it’s a period piece. Yes, The Wonder Years already did the nostalgic, voice-over enhanced, coming-of-age story. Yet, there is a different tone here, and one could not ask for a better narrator than Patton Oswalt (Justified, United States of Tara). Making frequent references to things like REO Speedwagon, ALF, Star Wars, and Ghostbusters is appreciated, and will give the adults something to enjoy in the tame fare.

Whether THE GOLDBERGS will last or not is anyone’s guess. I can’t say that it strictly deserves to, but neither does it offend or bore. We don’t need another program of this type, but if networks are going to keep making them, at least it’s as good as this one, and not something that proves no one is trying anymore. Maybe it’s an effort to return to classic television during the heyday of the sitcom, and if so, it is a suitable project, even if it seems a doomed goal.

THE GOLDBERGS’ first episode is available now on Hulu and premieres Tuesday, September 24^th at 9 p.m. ET.

Justified Haunted by Ghosts

Article first published as TV Review: Justified - "Ghosts" on Blogcritics.

"Ghosts" is the fourth season finale of FX's Justified, which aired this week. Does the title refer to the ghost of Raylan's father, Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), recently deceased, whom Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) has always had a complicated relationship with? Or does it refer to the friendship between Raylan and Boyd (Walton Goggins), the men they once were, and the very different men they have become?

Justified works primarily because of the complex characters in the story. Raylan is a lawman, and only shoots the bad guys when he has a reason. His career is in stark contrast to his criminal father, and sometimes he struggles with the worry that he will turn into Arlo. This isn't helped when Boyd compares the two, something Boyd may be doing just to get under Raylan's skin, knowing him as well as he does.

But Raylan makes a huge decision in "Ghosts," and it threatens his good reputation. He sets up Nicky (Mike O'Malley) to be whacked by Sammy (Max Perlich), his rival in the Detroit mob. Raylan may not pull the trigger himself, but he is complicit in the act. It will weigh on his conscience, drawing him closer to the man Arlo was, and that's a huge sacrifice for Raylan to make.

Raylan does have a good reason for his actions. Nicky sends armed men into Winona's (Natalie Zea) home; Winona who is pregnant with Raylan's child, and whom Raylan still loves. Nicky vows to keep coming after them. Raylan does what he must to protect the mother of his child and his unborn daughter. However, in doing so, he gives away a piece of his soul.

This sort of no-win situation, the kind the tests a hero's mettle, is what makes defines a man. Raylan may be a flawed hero, but he is a hero. He rarely acts out of any selfish impulse. Even the foolish choices he makes are to protect others. He's stubborn and won't quit, even when suspended, but that just proves his dedication to justice and serving others. It's a complicated situation when a good guy disobeys the rules for the right reasons.

Obviously, murder is the greatest extension of that, and it's a good thing that no one knows about Raylan's actions. It may still come out eventually; Justified is the type of series to bring back something years later, when it's least expected. If this comes to light, it will ruin Raylan's career. It doesn't matter that Nicky deserves to die, or that if Nikky doesn't die, Winona very well could. It's the fact that Raylan took matters into his own hands and allowed the killing to take place that is unacceptable to the government.

This will jeopardize his chances for promotion, which Raylan is up for as Art (Nick Searcy) considers retirement, even while under suspension. This proves just how good Raylan's track record is. If the breach stays hidden long enough, Raylan may even get Art's job, at least for awhile. Though I hate to lose Art, it would be interesting to see Raylan in charge, even if Tim (Jacob Pitts) or Rachel (Erica Tazel) may have the better disposition for it.

One wonders how the Detroit men will hold this wrongdoing over Raylan's head. Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns) is their man in Kentucky now, hiring Boyd to distribute heroin for them. Wynn may or may not know what Raylan does, but if he finds out, he will definitely use it to curry favor with Raylan. Will Raylan have to kill others to protect his secret, or will that be a line he can't cross, willing only to do bad to protect others, not himself?

Either way, as Raylan sips a beer and looks at his own grave stone, next to his father's recently buried body and marker, there is a lot going on, both for Raylan the character, and for the viewer. Olyphant plays such a sympathetic, layered man, you can see the various emotions roiling behind his eyes. And having witnessed everything Raylan has done, there's a lot for the fans to think about in that moment, too.

On Boyd's side of the story, things go as far south as they can in "Ghosts." He is at the brink of happiness with Ava (Joelle Carter), making money, keeping his enemies in check, and then world is ripped out from under him. He is betrayed by those he thinks he can control, and while Boyd escapes harm, Ava is put in jail for murder.

Even though Boyd is a scoundrel, the opposite of Raylan, fans still root for him. He is charming, and he has his own code, even if the moral compass is skewed compared to most. Boyd is more than just a troublemaker, trying to better his situation, and he really does love Ava. These things make him relatable on some level.

Sadly, Boyd's decisions mean that he will never have a happy ending. Sure, one can make all the right choices and still not get what they want. However, Raylan is the main character of Justified, and he is sworn to prevent some of the things that Boyd engages in. Either Boyd will eventually have to change his ways, or Raylan will have to stop him.

That day will be a sad one. In "Ghosts," Raylan forces Boyd to take him to Nicky. It's a unwilling partnership, but the interaction between the two is always magical. They have a long history, and even when they disapprove of one another, there is still a connection there that cannot be broken. I think Raylan arresting or killing Boyd would be the hardest thing Raylan would ever have to do. Hopefully, Boyd will choose to team up with Raylan instead.

Boyd certainly doesn't take the right path in this finale. Despite Ava being locked away, and getting her out will definitely be Boyd's main focus next year, he agrees to work with Wynn, a new criminal enterprise for Boyd. He clearly doesn't learn his lesson, since doing wrong is what gets Ava in trouble in the first place.

Then again, with the people Boyd previously blackmailed now having something to hang over his head, getting the better of Boyd. It could serve him well to be backed up by a partnership with the Detroit mob, giving him the clout he needs to be back in the local game, after losing his self-earned cred in this installment.

The fourth year has been a typically stellar one for Justified. It may not have given us a new batch of guest stars to be impressed by, as previous seasons have done, but it made excellent use of its talented recurring cast, and added a few new, wonderful players to that lineup, such as Bob (Patton Oswalt). The mystery arc is a departure from previous outings, keeping the show changing and interesting, and the character development is, as usual, awesome.

Justified will return next year for a fifth season on FX.