THE TICK Ticks On

Article first published as TV Review: THE TICK on Seat42F.

Before we get started with this review, I must confess, I’ve never seen any previous incarnation of The Tick. I’ve always meant to and I’m sure I would enjoy, but just never got around to it. So this article is purely about the new Amazon series.

Amazon launched a new THE TICK yesterday, a second live-action version of the comic superhero spoof. Centered around a big, blue man in a bug suit and his more timid butterfly-like chum, The Tick fights for justice and doesn’t condone killing. With cartoonish jokes and supermen and women whose names themselves are gags, this occasionally meta, delightful absurd, woefully inane series is just getting warmed up.

The lead character of THE TICK is not The Tick. No, that title, at least for these six episodes, should go to Arthur Everest (Griffin Newman, Vinyl). Arthur is arguably the unluckiest person alive, with a very traumatic childhood backstory. He does have mental health problems, but it’s a miracle that his problems aren’t crippling and he’s, more or less, leading a normal life, even if his nighttime activities are less than normal.

Enter The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz, Guardians of the Galaxy), who takes Arthur’s unfortunate hobby and makes it his life. The Tick seems to come out of nowhere. Yet, he’s clearly got history with Arthur and has been around awhile (and not just because all of the heroes and villains in the show don’t seem to age over years or even decades). But The Tick doesn’t know what he is or who he is, only that Arthur has a destiny and The Tick must help him. If anything, it’s almost like The Tick is Arthur’s sidekick, even if their personalities point to the other way around.

What follows are odd battles with people like Ms. Lint (Yara Martinez, Jane the Virgin), a woman who flows with electricity, making her a magnet for floating particles, and The Pyramid Gang. Everyone wants Arthur’s superhero suit, which isn’t really his, and there’s a bit of a comedy of errors as custody goes back and forth.

Yet, there’s also a grander story here. Very early on, we know there’s something off about the original superhero who came to this planet more than one hundred years ago, Superian (Brendan Hines, Lie to Me). There’s also a naked VLM (Very Large Man, played by Ryan Woodle) who keeps growing and walking towards population centers. There’s the question as to whether the great villain The Terror (Jackie Earle Haley, Watchmen) is still alive. All of these moving pieces don’t fully come together in the first six episodes, which seem like an extended pilot.

Normally in a show like this, I would assume there isn’t a great picture coming into focus, as this seems like a goofball comedy. Even without having seen the earlier versions, it seems unlikely they had such lofty goals. And yet, the more signs shown in each installment, the more it seems certain that THE TICK is going somewhere. Which makes it even better.

And if you’re just wanting to tune in for the humor, there’s plenty of that, too. For instance, Ms. Lint lives with her ex-husband, a weird hipster named Derek (Bryan Greenberg, How to Make It in America), Arthur’s stepdad is way, way too nice, and Ramses IV (Michael Cerveris, Fringe) keeps a sarcophagus full of power drinks. Those are just a few of bizarre things in these installments.

I’ve barely scratched the surface of what THE TICK contains. It mixes offbeat comedy with genuine superhero stories with deep mysteries with hyperreality with whatever the heck Overkill (Scott Speiser) is, plus the psychotic woman from The Following (Valorie Curry) plays Arthur’s sister. It defies easy explanation and is super addictive, as I quickly plowed through all six half hour installments in short order.

THE TICK’s first half of its first season is available now on Amazon Prime.

PARKS AND RECREATION Skips Over to "London"

Article first published as PARKS AND RECREATION Skips Over to "London" on TheTVKing.

For the season six premiere of NBC's Parks and Recreation, our favorite city employees hopped across the pond to "London" so that Leslie (Amy Poehler) could receive a civic award. It was a fun and funny trip, with some big opportunities, nice emotional moments, and a couple of major turning points. What a fantastic start to the year!

"London" begins with the quickie proposal and wedding of Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) to Diane Tammy Lewis (Lucy Lawless). Just kidding about that middle name, by the way, but when Diane calls herself that I literally yelled at the screen; awesome bit. Anyway, no sooner does Ron pop the question than they rush upstairs, coincidentally running into April (Aubrey Plaza) and Leslie on the way, whom they invite to be best man and maid of honor, respectively. A few minutes later, before the opening credits even begin, the ceremony is done and they retire to their individual homes to celebrate the reception separately, or so Ron orders.

This is a perfect wedding for Ron's character. He has such an easy relationship with Diane, who loves Ron for who he is and has similar sensibilities. She rolls with the punches when his friends get involved, though he keeps the whole thing in check and on course. It's a little hokey that the exact two people who should be invited to attend get to, but that's easy to overlook in such a perfect sequence.

Then, it's off to London, England. Leslie has been down on herself. She tries to win the voters over one by one to avoid being recalled from office, but despite working her rear end off, nothing seems to be helping, and leaving the country is used against her. Frustrated, and feeling out of her league next to her fellow winners (including a mostly-accent-less Heidi Klum), Leslie unloads, complaining about the residents of her fair town that do not appreciate her. The moment is, of course, webcast, and bumbling Jerry (Jim O'Heir) has even arranged a viewing party, so the blunder does not escape notice.

It's hard to blame Leslie for her outburst. Even though Ron advises her to be the adult and treat her represented public like her children, any one would get upset at what Leslie is going through. All she does is try to help the people she's been elected by, and no one notices, always dumping on her. It's not fair.

This makes me think Leslie will lose the recall election. Despite how far she has come and the fact that this will rob her of a major triumph, it seems to be in the cards that she has far more obstacles to overcome before she gets her happy ending. I have to believe it will all pay off in the end, but we're not at the end, with Parks and Recreation showing no sign of losing steam. So for now, more bad news.

Of course, with Chris (Rob Lowe) slated to be leaving the series in a few months, along with Anne (Rashida Jones), that does possibly leave a vacant city manager job open, and since it's not an elected position, Leslie could slide in and begin working without worry about what people think. I'm just saying...

Speaking of Anne, though, it's great that she and Chris, also beaten down by the lack of caring from the locals when announcing Anne's pregnancy, go to Leslie, knowing she will react with the enthusiasm they seek. This shows that Leslie is the source of support people need, if only they know to go to her.

And it's not like Leslie has given up completely on being her cheerful, helpful self. She still does things for those she cares about. She arranges the perfect (solo) honeymoon for Ron, finding the one place in Europe Ron will enjoy. That is a beautiful gift and a testament to not only their friendship, but the amazing person Leslie is.

One person does notice Leslie's efforts and that's April, the girl who wrote the latter to win Leslie the award. April is really growing up, and her show of faith in Leslie, as well as taking the time to cheer her up proves this. Perhaps with Anne leaving, April can reluctantly step into the position of Leslie's best friend?

Another sign of April's maturity is how she encourages Andy (Chris Pratt) to take a several-months-long job in London with an important man (Peter Serafinowicz, NTSF:SD:SUV). Besides providing a convenient reason for Andy to be gone while Pratt makes a film, it also shows a step forward in their relationship, considering grown up priorities and her putting his needs first. This is huge, and I think they'll weather things OK because they go into it with just the right attitude. Good for them!

The other subplot unfolding in "London" is that Tom (Aziz Ansari) finally figures out who the competition that is running him into the ground is: the father of Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz) and Mona-Lisa, who just so happens to be Anne's doctor. This man (played by Arrested Development's Henry Winkler) wants revenge for how Tom allegedly treats his children, but even exonerating himself from his friends' lies does Tom no good because their dad has now built a successful business he's not willing to give up.

I love the kooky family these three funny actors have built to plague Tom's life. I'm sad for Tom, of course, as he has as many troubles as Leslie in fighting for his goals, more than he deserves, but unlike her, there's real humor in the episodes that bring down Tom. For now, anyway. The longer this goes on, the sadder it gets. Though I'm still not rooting for Jean-Ralphio and family to stay away.

"London" serves just about every one of the central characters well, providing some really good humor and excellent character development. Parks and Recreation is maturing just as nicely as April is, and I'm enjoying watching these people become who they are meant to be, surely dreamers who will eventually see their wishes realized.

Parks and Recreation airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Archer's "Tragical History": Spy Comedy or Workplace Comedy?

     FX's Archer began showing signs last season that, besides being a spy thriller, it may also be a workplace comedy. Those signs have morphed into the heart of the show in season two. While Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) and the other ISIS agents still sometimes go out into the field to do stuff, much of the action takes place in ISIS headquarters as the various personalities that make up its staff clash and chafe. Even while out of the office, more often than not some of the administrative staff gets into the action.

     This week, Cyril (Chris Parnell) feels bad about himself after his co-workers laugh at him. This is nothing new. But this time, Cyril is given the opportunity to do something about it when the mysterious Spelvin (Peter Serafinowicz, Shaun of the Dead, Running Wilde) gives him a computer virus. Cyril thinks he will mess with ISIS's systems, then fix it, becoming a hero. The first part of the plan goes fine. The second, not so much. Because Spelvin is really tricking Cyril so he can steal the list of agents and sell it to the highest bidder.

     Poor Cyril. While initially presented as a straight-laced dweeb, Cyril has since been shown with drug and sex addiction problems. Now he is also a traitor. Luckily, only Archer finds out, as Cyril needs his help to stop Spelvin, and in the end, though Archer will never admit it, Cyril sort of redeems himself. Did I mention Cyril is an accountant, and has no business getting mixed up in espionage stuff?

     The humor comes not just from Cyril's fish out of water schtick, but also in how he relates to super-spy Archer. At least twice Archer mentions something, and Cyril expresses surprise at the thought, only to have Archer query "And you don't?" Great punchline. They are two very different people, and the highlighting of that fact lent to copious laughter. I won't say it is exactly unexpected that Cyril saves the day, after Archer handles the combat portion, of course, but the story flows naturally. Plus, Spelvin has sexy bikini-clad ninja bodyguards for Archer to flirt with, so really, win-win.

     Back at ISIS, things look a lot more like The Office than James Bond. Krieger (Lucky Yates) should be fixing the computers, but Lana (Aisha Tyler) has destroyed his virtual girlfriend, so he is working on a new one. That image alone is priceless. Cheryl (Judy Greer) and Pam (Amber Nash) unhook all the computers, and Cheryl accidentally destroys them, and quite possible the elevator. Bickering with co-workers? Destruction of company property? Sounds like a workplace comedy to me.

     The series also stars Jessica Walter as Malory and Adam Reed as Ray. Tune into Archer Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

Article first published as TV Review: Archer - "Tragical History" on Blogcritics.

For an alphabetical list of all of Jerome Wetzel's Current Season Reviews, please click here.

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TV Review: Running Wilde

     FOX's new sitcom Running Wilde hasn't gotten that much attention.  Despite following another new sitcom, Raising Hope which is a hit, and was the first show on network television picked up for a full season this year, not details on whether Running Wilde's run will be extended have merged.  Five episodes have aired, and I still haven't decided if I like it or not, though the show had plenty going for it, and I was initially excited.

     Starring Keri Russell (Felicity) and Will Arnett (Arrested Development) as Emmy and Steve, child sweethearts who were driven apart by the very different lives they lead.  Emmy was a maid's daughter for Steve's family.  Steve allowed his father to buy him off to give up Emmy.  Now adults, Steve wishes to have Emmy back, and Emmy is in a Peruvian rain forest trying to save a tribe from Steve's father's oil company.  When Steve invites Emmy to see him get a humanitarian award (which he is giving himself), she comes with her daughter, Puddle (Stefania Owen), in tow, though only so she can try to talk him into finally standing up to his father to help her cause.  By the way, there has been no mention yet as to who Puddle's father is, so it's certainly possible that she's Steve's, but Steve is clueless enough to never ask.  Or perhaps the backstory timeline for Steve and Emmy's relationship doesn't come close to Puddle's inception.  Either way, it'd be nice to have a little clarity there.

     By the end of the pilot, Puddle has convinced her mother to stay and live in Steve's treehouse so that Puddle can go to school and lead a normal life.  Emmy doesn't need much convincing, because even though she keeps shutting down Steve's romantic overtures, she is clearly very fond of him.  Plus, he's become her latest project, as she tries to mold him into what she considers a decent human being.  Oddly, Puddle narrates the series and almost seems billed as the star, but doesn't have a lot to do past causing her mother to move in the pilot.  This is definitely Arnett and Russell's show.

     Last week's episode clearly was the second episode, even though it was aired fifth, dealing with Emmy and Puddle first settling in.  Perhaps it was held back because it wasn't that funny, and other episodes aired early inspired more laughter.  I don't know, but I wasn't impressed.  I have chuckled at moments in the series, but not so much this past week.

     Of course, three people do not make a show.  Steve has two people working for him that are part of the starring cast: Migo (Mel Rodriguez), who is Steve's friend, even though he skims some of the fortune, and Lunt (Robert Michael Morris), the old queen that tutored him.  Both are good for a few punch lines, but have yet to have any real plot or depth.  Both were recast after the pilot, and Lunt's character originally had a different name and was a woman.  Fairing slightly better is Steve's neighbor / rival / best friend / foil, Fa'ad (Peter Serafinowicz).  Though Fa'ad was an enemy in the pilot and this past week's episode, other installments have showed him more as a friend.  Sure, a superficial friend, but Steve is just as shallow.  The two connect because of similar upbrings and attitudes, and I prefer it when Fa'ad is not just trying to one up Steve.

    Interestingly enough, Will Arnett's Arrest Development co-star David Cross plays recurring character Andy (also a recast from the Running Wilde original pilot), Emmy's fiance.  Arnett is also playing a supporting role on David Cross's new show, which is currently airing on IFC, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, as Cross's boss.  The two are wonderful together, and thankfully that has been used on Running Wilde somewhat, though not a lot.

     The jury is still out on whether this show will last, or whether it deserves to.  If you'd like to watch, good luck.  Running Wilde  has been running Tuesday nights at 9:30 on FOX, however, this week Raising Hope is doing a one hour special episode, so Wilde does not appear on the schedule.  It will be showing a rerun at 12:30 Saturday night (Sunday morning), and FOX's web site lists it's timeslot at Saturday at midnight, which is not a good sign.  It is unknown if it will return to Tuesdays, or burn off the remaining episodes on Saturdays, or just disappear all together.

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