That ending was a real gut punch, delivered solely by the look on Kim's face. What an amazing piece of acting.
How many of you believed Jimmy's speech? I know Jimmy is a bad guy, I know he's a liar, a con artist, a fast-talker; and yet I believed him. I was as bowled over as Kim, "that asshole on the bench was about to cry" was me. How'd I fall for that? Is the show acting/writing/whatevs that good or does that say something about people in general?
Meh. Quite the collection of overdone cliches:
-- It's a crime drama, about a family!
-- The eldest is in charge, but is not the brightest so covers it up with bellicosity. That combination can't possibly lead to trouble.
-- Our protagonist is ambitious, ruthless, and smart. That combination can't possibly lead to trouble.
-- The youngest is dumb and violent. That combination can't possibly lead to trouble.
-- Fortunately, they're surrounded by good women, if only the boys will listen to their wisdom.
-- It's got a beautiful woman, but she's on the side of the law. Oh no! Surely she won't fall for the haunted bad boy.
-- The saintly friend wants nothing to do with the family's evil ways. I'm sure he won't be pulled in.
-- The copper sent to stop them is just as ruthless as they are. What nuanced levels of morality!
-- It's set in olden days so it can be "gritty" and "edgy" with it's violence.
All in all, I liked it better when it was called Ripper Street. I'll watch more, but only because my brother recommended it. If it ends up good, great for me. If it ends up bad, I can berate my brother for his poor taste. Also great for me.
A gruesome crime show drama is about the last thing I'd expect to enjoy, but man is this good.
The main characters are quirky, but they each play the quirk with such subtlety they're really charismatic to watch. The writing is amazing - especially the two of them questioning a suspect. Beautiful back & forth like they're in each other's head, Bill throwing tough guy curve balls now and then, and Holden with some emotional twist.
Also loving the cinematography. All the dismal gray & white. Does the sun every come out in this world? Feels like I'm back in Indiana in the winter.
I gave it some time, but it's nothing more than your standard gangster story. Gaetano is a lazy stereotype over-acted to comical proportions, the rivalry for control another lazy cliche, and Chris Rock is just not compelling in the least. Oraetta and Ethelrida are interesting but not interesting enough to put up with the massive meh of the rest of it. I'm out.
Ditto the tremendous episode. The first 4 episodes have felt so ominous, but this one has really turned it up to 11.
I suspected that Phillip's fatal flaw, his love for Elizabeth, was going to bring him to a sad, pathetic end. After his conversation with Kimmy ("you were right. I'm stuck in a rut"), the stakes have been raised. Phillip may still come to an end - but he's going to go out fighting (the scene with Paige) and it is going to be an ugly, fiery end at that. He now knows Elizabeth does not love him (her having sex with him being just a ploy to get a favor out of him, she sees Phillip as a mark). There's nothing now holding him back.
Good episode, but an unsatisfying ending for a season. We meet some interesting characters, but didn't get an actual story yet.
Anybody else think Holden is or will be a serial killer? Personality that is a bit off, sexual issues, manipulative to get what he wants (do we know about his mother?). Personally, I think he maybe already is and his ability to fool his partners at the FBI has made him bolder and bolder. The cat/tuna thing with Wendy being a metaphor of her not being able to see the rot right in front of her (why else is that pointless scene in there multiple times?).
I just don't buy any of it.
Marty's calm and calculating manor in the face of horrific circumstances. Is he supposed to be a psychopath? I just get no emotion from him at all. He seems to be more a device to deliver clever lines than a human being. He's just not pulling off the Tony "I'm evil but my force of personality will make you intrigued" Soprano.
The plot. Dim-witted rednecks (they show's words, not mine) discover $3 million and they...give it back? Because they consider the long term consequences? That's LOL funny. We even have the FBI agent delivering the line that criminals are "not geniuses" yet this scene requires a deep introspection. Why in the world wouldn't she take all of the money? Why, once Marty admits there is more, do they not beat the shit out of him, drive to the hotel, and take the rest? That's the way any real life scene plays out.
The wife. No idea why she would go along with any of this. Go to the Feds.
The job. What, exactly, is the plan to launder $8 million dollars? Fake gas receipts? I get it that Marty knows this is not enough and needs more, but I there's nothing here making much sense.
The FBI agent. Again, he's not a human being. He's seems to be there just to be creepy. Sure, Marty is laundering money for the cartel which is bad, but the FBI guy is bad too so it's all OK. Blech.
What's with the modern music blaring away in the episode? Really ruins the mood of the show.
He falls for her...yawn.
The most intriguing part of season 1 was Gilead. What would the US look like if the religious righr were to take over? That was compelling and terrifying.
In season 2, we lose quit a bit of that. We just don't learn as much about Gildead and instead the show becomes more of a standard drama - will the lovers be together? Can the protagonist win her adversairies over to her side? what will happen with the baby? None of that was near as compelling.
Not a bad season, not just as compelling as the beginning. I'm likely out for season 3.
Terrible, horrible, very bad season. Did not care one wit for any character in the whole friggin show. Writing was a complete mess where a whole host of little things made no sense, nevermind the big things.
And can you take an Emmy away from an actor because Jeffery Wright was absolutely horrible in this. 8 solid hours of "Bernard is confused" was painful to watch. I desperately wanted that character to catch a bullet.
No desire at all to watch any more of this and really kind of mad I stayed til the end.
Like some of the other commenters said - the deck has been really stacked. It was painful to watch the night unfold, to see every piece of evidence that will be used against him laid out bit by obvious bit.
Still though, it was intense and kept my interest for a very slow burn of 1 hour and fifteen minutes.
Feel a little cheated that the revealed the solution without letting us see the report or the grandma interview, but those are minor quibbles. A very fun movie.
So far a fairly standard crime drama. The "All american small town has some DARK secrets!" schtick is tired. But there's something there, some point where this is going to turn the corner into something more interesting. Will stick it out for now.
A little too obvious what the story was. As the bad guys said "You should have paid more attention". Not sure how D could miss it.
Fuck no. I'm not watching some smarmy asshole ruin peoples' lives in his quest to be rich.
Am I supposed to like the salesman, because he's an extremely unlikable asshole. If he's supposed to be the plucky hero whose drive and verve pushes all those around him to be their best - then, fuck that guy, I'm not watching. If someone punches him in the mouth in episode 2, maybe I'll keep going.
Uh oh, introducing a new character. Usually a sign that the writers don't know what to do with a show so they start a new thread. While being somewhat of a side trek, they do manage to move the story along and teach us a little but more about the world. Still intrigued to learn more.
Lots of world building and a ton of just plain weirdness. Many shows attempt this, but it ends up feeling like a pointless gimmick (::cough:: Lost ::cough::). This though is feeling like it's got a definite purpose and is headed somewhere. Intrigued to learn more and really hope it will deliver.
The premise - 5 children are left to fend for themselves in a cruel world due to an alcoholic father - that sounds like fun! I'm sure that turd will be excessively shined with a feel-good vibe - they'll all triumph in the end due to their pluckiness and just as long as they all love one another and stick together. Blech. Underneath it is still a turd.
On top of the really unpleasant premise, they then layer on some really, really gross story lines:
So some unlikable people, in a really bad situation, making really bad decisions; but, hey, they love each other so it's all good. People want 9 seasons of this? I'm out.
The preponderance of circumstantial evidence in the first episode was kind of ominous and heartbreaking to see. The preponderance of exculpatory evidence for the final episode was just a bit too much for me to believe. (Not a lawyer, hoping I got those terms right).
In the end, it ends up being a fairly standard crime drama that moves at a really slow pace - something I'd normally not watch. I'll give it credit that it kept me interested and watching to the end, but all told I didn't find anything special other than Turturo.
Holy shit was that depressing.
Was there some great acting? Beautiful cinematography? Good writing? I have no idea. I can't see past the black cloud this movie dropped on me.
Is this even a movie? Is soul-crushing despair a fit topic for a film? I want to think about that, but that means thinking about this movie, which I do not want to do. Which I think means it was a really good movie, but again, I don't want to think about it.
I'm gonna go curl up in the corner now.
Great series with a good ending - which is saying something since so many shows seem to have bad endings. Ditto everybody else on the greatness of the Stan and Paige scenes.
I do have some quibbles:
1) In the end, they're undone by some random guy we've never meet from the church? With Stan's suspicions and the active work at the FBI, that was an undramatic way to go.
2) The show, for me, was all about Phillips Love for Elizabeth Vs Elizabeth's Love for Country. They somewhat deal with Elizabeth's Love for Country - she realizes it isn't all good, have to make some judgments herself - but that all seems to happen very quickly and somewhat subtly. I didn't feel that they really dealt with Phillps love for Elizabeth (and her not returning that). After one phone call, they are abruptly a team again after all the episodes this season putting them at odds.
All together though, it was a very satisfying conclusion.
The final three episodes really picked up in intensity and the final showdown of Dad/Daughter was really well done. It made the season worthwhile. Danes for the final three episodes was some great acting - her pain was palpable.
Sidelining your protagonist for the climax and trusting it's resolution to a phone call rather than some boom-boom-action is some gutsy storytelling - which makes the the very straight-forward early episodes of this season all the more aggravating. It was good, could have been great.
Definitely has the pilot "rough around the edges" feel to it. If I had started here, not sure I'd have become a fan. Rick is a a bit too much on the downer side - drunk, pessimistic, foul - without some of the joy (a strange word to use for it) he has in season 3. Not as over the top, "what the hell did I just watch" of later episodes.
Was prepared for an informative but depressing show. Pleasantly surprised to find this movie absolutely hilarious. The three people are clownish, thoughtless, self absorbed nitwits.
Ah, the Queen has to decide between maintaining tradition and appointing the senior man to replace her retiring advisor or does she assert her authority and choose the man she already trusts? The story is told through dramatic music, opulent sets and costumes, and stunning visuals resulting in an amazing climax of.... WHO THE HELL CARES? A silly woman has to hire a new, glorified secretary. It's a plot from a Housewives episode. I could not care less. Moving on.
Oh noze! Duty and tradition force the Queen to heap yet another affront to dear Phillip's manhood. I was wrong. They found a plot line I care even less about. How will the rich, white, straight, entitled man survive these indignities? Can't think of a more pressing, topical storyline to explore. Moving on.
Margaret wants to to marry Peter, her one true love. But the Crown and Church won't allow it! How sad. I mean, Buckingham Palace must have like a million rooms in it. These two could screw in a new room everyday for the rest of their lives. Tell the Crown to take that jeweled scepter and shove it up the Church's ass. Go be happy. Yeah, I get that maybe people lived that way, but again, could not care less.
Clair Foy's acting seems restricted to Very Serious Stare to the Very Loving Stare. Next to Phillips's petulant snot routine, she's amazing.
Wow, that was hard to watch. First thought was it was really bad, but it's sticking with me and I think they were going forunpleasant. In that case, really well done.
Let's start with Sharon - she's a terrible spouse. Asking about going to the beach while your husband grieves is not great. Looking for a bikini while shopping for a funeral dress, not great. Immediately shooting down Rob's job offer, when she knows he is deeply unhappy at his current job and when she's said it's her last year at her job, not great. Telling her husband he's not fun, not great. Giving in to infidelity in the most pathetic way imaginable, not great. In a past season after they separate, Rob tells her how much he misses her. Sharon's reply is only that she doesn't want to be alone. Sharon is shallow and selfish. She seems to only need or want Rob when there is something in it for her.
While Rob is not a saint, he's trying to be a good guy. He's a past alcoholic who has hurt many people. He doesn't want to hurt people anymore. After getting a fling pregnant, he upends his entire life to try and do right. When offered infidelity, he passes. He crawls back to a job he detests because his family needs it. He allows his wife to give his daughter a name that he can't pronounce.
So that brings us to the fight. Is Rob lashing out in grief? Is he just trying to hurt Sharon for her being unmoved by Mom's death? I don't think so. I think Rob is finally being honest.
Just before the fight, Rob talks to his Dad (another alcoholic who has hurt many people) who says Rob is better than him and his grandson will be even better, "things are moving in the right direction". Rob realizes that his life at this point is just trying to avoid his father's mistakes. That he's not actually living for himself. When he tells Sharon "I try everyday to make you happy and it never works out", that's crushing, but also honest. Sharon was unhappy Rob participated in the old boy's club, but she was also unhappy with him when he turned down the promotion.
And then that ominous ending. They have the heart to heart and Rob takes back what he says -- but he already knows Sharon is pregnant. He says he'd do it all over again, but he also says it would be a mess again. Sharon, again, says nothing. Would Rob have agreed if he didn't know? Not if he was being honest with himself, but he says he'll stick with her.
With that behind her, Sharon then decides she wants to go swimming. Rob says he doesn't want to "have fun right now". Is Sharon sympathetic? Does she stick with him this time? Nope, she gets up and does what she wants. Now that she's secured him as spouse once again, she literally walks away to have fun.
As she swims out, he turns and sees the sign. He knows it's dangerous. He glances at the car, considering the kids. He calls out to Sharon, clearly uncertain what to do. Do I call her back and cement the catastrophe I just agreed to? He makes a little fluttering hand gesture, pointing at himself. Do I sacrifice me? I think he breaks at that point. He can't do it again. He won't live his life trying to make everyone else happy. He throws in the towel, joins Sharon in the water for one last happy moment, and the camera fades both of them out, leaving just the water and their clothes behind.
Lots of good story development, loved the opening scene, and enjoy Wade.
A pet peeve though in spoon feeding us - The flashback to the tin foil hat, the tight shot of Angela/Wade/Cactus. I really hate it when the director thinks we're stupid and decide to hit us over the head with revelations. The viewers who need that help quit watching this complicated, involved story long ago. Leave that nonsense for network TV.
Argggggh, another side trek on a new character. Normally I'd hate that, but that scene was just so damn good. Her "it's mine" at the end was deliciously creepy. They keep doling about bits and bits though, moving things along.
Terrible episode - oh no, our show is wrapping up. Let's quickly give every single character a pat happy ending. I liked that they made sense of the interview gimmick they used all season, but the rest of it was simplistic junk.
