(S01E05) Matthew 12:25: But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and no town or house divided against itself will stand."Mike Caffee (Jason Isaacs) appears at times a kind of off-kilter Robin Hood, but more and more it's clear he is really an evil Peter Pan. He won't, probably can't, grow-up, and that's one source of his misery. (Spoilers below the jump.)
This week he's hurt and angered when mob boss Freddie Cork won't let him and his flunky Pete join the gang's softball team. Actor Kevin Chapman has been effective in his portrayal of Freddie, and I wonder when he is finally going to decide Michael just has to go -- although they are once again friends by the end of the episode. Michael also has trouble admitting to his girlfriend that he is living with his mother and that is why they only meet in hotels. He claims his mother is old and frail and needs him close. Activity in a neighboring hotel room shows how funny that is.
Speaking of hotel hook-ups, Eileen (Annabeth Gish) backslides this week, but her postman-lover refuses the meet her again, leaving her even more miserable, and a shot of her dying inside at the dinner table, while Velvet Underground starts up on the soundtrack is heartbreaking.
Brother Tommy may feel he is less of a man for it, but swallowing his pride to ask his father-in-law for a loan to pay the mortgage and keep his family off the streets, is the necessary thing for him to do, and he man's up and does it (in contrast to how Mike behaves). Next, incompetent brother-in-law lawyer Jimmy screws up Tommy's kickback plan on some real estate, so Tommy fires him. Mike moves in, bringing Jimmy over to the dark side (or, perhaps more accurately, the darker side) to front the bar that he muscles away from its owner.
There's a subplot concerning layoffs at Mom Rose Caffee job -- where turns out she's shop steward, and management tries to get her to pick who will be laid off. Nice. What happens when she won't comply means her union must have negotiated their last contract pretty weakly on the matter of seniority, I guess.
Now that we're nearly halfway in, are any TV Squad readers watching this show? What do you think of it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-07-2006 @ 12:46AM
Tony said...
I really like this show. The first two episodes were a little slow, but I really like the subtlty of the show. Jason Isaacs has a great presence and doesn't get enough good scripts to showcase his talent. This show gets better with each episode, but I don't think it will see a second season.
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8-07-2006 @ 9:48AM
MacGuffin said...
It's a good show. I've been watching mainly because I like intense dramas.
But this doesn't feel like an addictive show like Sopranos was or other premium channel series.
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8-11-2006 @ 10:40AM
Rich said...
Good show. I think it's got potential, but they might want to pick up the pace a little.
Does anyone know the title of the Velvet Underground song mentioned above?
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8-11-2006 @ 12:41PM
Bob said...
The Velvet Underground song that was playing is called "Heroin."
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8-13-2006 @ 9:17PM
Barbara said...
I'm trying to find out what the music was in the final scenes of this episode. Anyone know?
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8-14-2006 @ 3:50PM
Carol said...
I love it. I didn't have high expectations for this show but it's very pleasant (and welcome) surprise. Highly recommend.
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8-15-2006 @ 3:20PM
Dannya said...
I really enjioy this show and find it true that it is getting betterwith each epsiode. The acting is phenomenal,as each show peelsanother layer off of the complex chartacters, leaving the viwer eager to learn more. The way the show delves into areas of grey morality is so interesting, as we find that it reflects reality, where there isno absolute right or wrong , good or bad, and the shows ability to
exolore this idea through excellent dialogue, sordid relatiosnhipsand inner turmoil makes this a show that I truly hopew ill be around for quite some time and attract a larger viewing audience.I thought
this episode was great....few things stuck out...Micheal showing compassion for his friend and celebrating his sobriety, only to be
manipulating the bartender and his own brother-in-law a few minutes after, the last scene w/ Annabeth Gish buying drugs from the boy( so powerful) and the comic relief when Micheal was teasing one of the cops, who was ready to pound his face in. Quick question, wouldn't someone in Annabeth Gish's position go to greater lengths to bediscreet given her husband's position, with her drug use and even her
afair( remember when she got into that dude's mail van!!)....Does she have a subconcious desire to be found out...what does everyone
think?? Well, that's my shpeel...bye:)
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9-06-2006 @ 11:45PM
Shawn Johnson said...
I'm also wanting to know what the music is in the the final scene and credits of this episode. Is there a website that lists the music used in the soundtrack?
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12-05-2006 @ 7:33PM
peter carey said...
does anyone know the song at the end of the episode where micheal frames mo 4 the arson murder.it plays while the credits are running
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