TVSquad

While I don't the show is genius or anything, I do think that it's at least an entertaining hour of television. Here's at least one reason you should watch - Dennis Haysbert. He could read the phone book and entertain me. Also, instead of dissing the wives side of the story, you should embrace it. I actually found that part much mroe interesting last night. The Stepford Wives vibe they have is just warming up, with Bob's wife stuck in the middle of it.

So you can fall asleep for 2 minutes and not miss anything. I think you should look at that positively. After all the hard thinking you have to do for an ep of Lost, 24, Sopranos, etc. (all of which I watch and love), it's actually a nice change of pace to be able to just sit there and watch and not have to pay 100% attention looking for Dharma logos. You can read while you watch, or do the dishes, or some Tai Chi. That's a good thing for change. Embrace it!

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Jonathan - I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. I have to say, I've read some negative reviews of The Unit, but have absolutely no idea why The Unit might be seen as "boring" - it's slower-paced and dialogue-heavy, and doesn't have the non-stop pace of one of my favorites, The Shield. But I have to admit, I am a huge fan of David Mamet - while the dialogue has been toned down so it isn't as stilted as his films (especially compared to "Spartan," which might have served as some inspiration for The Unit). I don't expect something to have to happen every few minutes - I imagine actual operations are long periods of boredom punctuated by fleeting moments of action, and I think The Unit gives a little taste of that.

Oh, but then again, I can see how people are irritated by the wives. That I could buy.

I suspect that if you don't like The Unit so far (and assuming that its ratings hold up - puts you in the minority) there's the possibility that it may not grow on you. There's two kinds of people in this world, people who like Mamet-like dialogue, and those who don't. Don't know if a taste for it can be acquired, and probably not within three one-hour eps...

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I'm going to watch a while, I just believe in Mamet and Ryan. I think it'll build something good, but so far, eh. Not great.

If you watch the movie Spartan, you'll see the writing is very similar in cadence and style, but the problem is (and I love Haysbert) Dennis Haysbert. He can't pull off the dispassion like Val Kilmer. he's always kind of smiling. I think he was a poor choice, but I'd probably watch a half hour Allstate commercial with him in it, so I'm conflicted.

I will keep watching, because as much as it hasn't overawed me, it hasn't insulted my intelligence yet either.

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Morgan beat me to it: Haysbert can't do Mamet. I said this very thing to my wife as we watched the repeat of the premiere this weekend. Kilmer had the intensity to pull it off, Haysbert doesn't. There were a few times where he clearly didn't understand how the lines were intended to be read and screwed up their impact.

I won't bother complaining about the implausibility factor, particularly with respect to the plane hijacking in the first ep. I've learned, thanks to 24 and Lost, that it's hopeless to wish for realism in these sorts of shows.

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I enjoy military-themed programming, but I find The Unit a bit disjointed -- especially when scenes flip from the team to the wives, then back to the team. Also, actors say their lines so quickly that I have difficulty understanding them. Last night's episode left me wondering what the mission was about and why the team was in that particular location.

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Acutally, and I can understand why you would think it was, the hijacking was extremely plausible. They mention that it was a trade mission charter - charters in general, and these specifically, are a huge weak spot in aviation security. Charters do not have the same screening practices (despite requirements) or tarmac security practices as general aviation. It is entirely plausible that with ground help in the foreign country that a terrorist crew, with arms, could stow aboard at trade mission flight (particularly one without a Service protectee involved) and carry out the mission in question.

It is unfortunate that this is the case, but until the folks who use these foreign charters learn that they are not above the rules it is a weak spot in the new aviation security regime.

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Dude, given how much you hate the show, just stop watching it. There are those of us who enjoy it, and I'd much rather read commentary by people who feel likewise than someone who trashes it at every moment. No hard feelings, everyone's entitled to their own opinions. To each his own.

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Slightly OT: Anyone know the artist of the song playing during the last 10 minutes or so of epipsode 2? Sounds kinda like Bob Dylan only an octave lower.

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I couldn't agree with you more on your summaries of this overrated p.o.s. I think the only way to watch it is to make a drinking game of it as you mentioned in your review of the pilot.

If they say "team", "shoot", or if Bob's wife gets flustered- one sip

If Molly stares at someone, half the bottle- well, maybe just a sip. About half the show is her getting in a staredown with someone- either the Doc, or the Colonel, or Bob's wife, or her mirror.

Bob's wife is gonna snap one day if Molly keeps messing with her furniture.

Oh, and when one character repeats what another one just said- finish your drink.

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