(S01E03) Three episodes into Smith, and this show has started to come off the rails. It's sort of a mess now. And it's getting tedious and boring, with just too many elements (side plots, characters, etc) the writers have thrown into the mix that ruin the tone set by the stylish, clever, moody pilot.Anyone else having this reaction to this show?
I don't mind having a lot of characters in a show and side plots that steer away from the main plot (that's how a show like this will see a second season), but already it has gotten ridiculous. We're supposed to believe that there was actually a witness that saw Jeff at the beach when he killed the two surfer dudes? Everyone is looking for Sean but can't put the pieces together (and I couldn't be less interested in Macy and her kid, sorry)? And if I see one more scene where Bobby lies to his wife about going on a trip when he's really pulling another heist and she acts all coy with him because she knows what he's up to but doesn't want to let him know that she knows (you know?), I'm going to pull my hair out.
And the heists. The first one at the museum wasn't the most subtle of cons (the only thing that made it a little classy was the museum setting), but the robberies in the second episode and this episode were kinda clumsy and extremely uninvolving. I mean, an armored car robbery under a bridge? Ho-hum.
Are we supposed to be interested in these characters? I'm a big fan of film noir, so I like when characters are dark and complex, maybe a little evil, but there isn't one thing you can root for with these characters. They're either borderline psychos (Simon Baker), psycho greedy whores (Amy Smart), or just plain boring (everyone else). We're supposed to root for Bobby "the family man who is only going to do four or five more jobs then retire to be with his family" Stevens, but even he is kind of a jerk. And he gives me the creeps too, not sure why.
I mentioned the word tedious before. That's what this show has become. Maybe they'll fix things in upcoming episodes, so I'll keep watching. Maybe I was expecting the cleverness and cool characters like on Hustle and Heist or the Ocean's Eleven flicks. Maybe it's John Wells' touch that is taking it away from what it could be.
My suggestion? Get back to that museum plot, focus on the FBI agents more, and streamline how the characters interact with each other and the side plots we have to endure.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-03-2006 @ 11:12PM
Aaron said...
I agree with you Bob. I felt that way during the Pilot though. I just felt like it was the same old Heist story with no new way of actually telling it.
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10-03-2006 @ 11:45PM
Nate said...
Everything you said you hated is exactly why I am still watching the show.... wierd
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10-04-2006 @ 3:38AM
Deven Werthman said...
I agree completely. We stopped watching halfway through the second episode,after the moronic motorcycle scene where one of the "gang" draws attention to hiself without a thought to keeping a low profile.
Ray Liotta IS creepy, the show is extremely hard to follow (why do producers expect viewers of a new show to instantly understand and accept relationships and badly-laid plans will be as clear to those viewers as they are to the producers?).
There is no way this top-heavy walrus of a show is going to last much longer, that is if there's a God.
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10-04-2006 @ 9:06AM
Obadiah said...
You're way off! This is one of the best new show's of the year. I like the fact that the characters are dealing with consequences of their actions and I'm REALLY hoping that it doesn't end up as some stupid "caper of the week" show. The side characters and extra plots are what add depth and layers to the show. I'm just crossing my fingers that CBS doesn't give it the axe.
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10-04-2006 @ 7:28AM
Lokki said...
i think it wil be the last episode, because not my friend, not i don`t like them.
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10-05-2006 @ 12:10AM
Allison said...
At least the kittens were cute.
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10-04-2006 @ 11:40AM
mike said...
i'm about done with Smith. It's all over the place and has a lot of filler moments.
Why doesn't TV Squad review The Unit? Vastly superior.
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10-04-2006 @ 11:51AM
dh said...
is this thread supposed to be a recap of the show or just a bit#h session for those who don't get it?
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10-04-2006 @ 12:11PM
faustine said...
I agree with you, last night episode was tedious and the burglary thing involving trucks quite boring. Plus, I find very cliché the character of Bobby's wife-who-thinks-her-husband-is-lying-to-her and I could not care less about her.
However I do love Ray Liotta and I find quite interesting the plot involving Jeff-Annie-Tom. Something might come out of this strange trio and they are the reason why I'll keep watching. Plus, the daily life of gangsters sounds far more appealing than many shows this year.
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10-04-2006 @ 2:17PM
BobbyBuz said...
What happened to Liotta's face? He looks like a Nip/Tuck patient gone bad.
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10-04-2006 @ 9:52PM
chuck said...
Hey, maybe it's time for you to stop writing this crap and switch to a show you like? I'de very much prefer someone else reviewing it.
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10-05-2006 @ 1:49AM
Keith said...
This crap makes the BIG nets, yet "Thief" was relagated to the "lowly" FX....I HATE the networks!!!
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10-06-2006 @ 12:15AM
Scooter said...
Let's face it, the Virginia Madsen is wasted as a character driving around and snooping on her husband in a brown mini-van and sitting in an AA meeting listening to other people's gripes. Who cares if little Bobby's light is switched on or off?
John Wells is in a major league slump and Smith ain't helping his track record.
Likely CBS will yank this show before next week and we won't be able to see the remaining episodes which are already shot. Thus our griping will have to end prematurely.
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10-08-2006 @ 11:00AM
grga said...
Hey whats the song in the gardenparty scene called? The one that plays in the background? Latin song, smooth song.
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10-09-2006 @ 9:07PM
n2 said...
I couldn't disagree more. Smith is/was the best show released thus far this year. The plot was becoming complicated, but that helped build tension, and only drew me more into the show. It was almost like watching a well made feature film with lots of twists and turns.
How a great show like doesn't stay on, and they leave total garbage on such as deal or no deal or america's funniest home videos is beyond me.
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10-12-2006 @ 2:23AM
smithfan said...
I LOVED the show.
If you are upset that CBS cancelled Smith, consider filing a complaint.
With enough viewer complaints, CBS may reconsider its cancelling of the marvelous fast-paced Smith with its excellent cast including Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen, Simon Baker and Amy Smart and the show's superb writing.
Blame it on CBS's bad marketing, its only giving the show three episodes of airtime, and CBS's lack of promoting online viewing of earlier episodes of Smith for those who needed to catch up.
CBS could have given a better re-cap at the beginning of episodes for new viewers just tuning in. It could have re-run the episodes during off-hours, much like Bravo does, to allow viewers to catch up.
To complain, call CBS viewer relations at any time day or night to leave a message, or, to reach a live person, call during the hours of 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST - telephone CBS viewer relations at 212-975-3247.
You may also email audsvcs@cbs.com (short for audience services).
You may also go to CBS's feedback form online to submit your complaint at http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml Smith is still listed in the shows on that feedback form.
You may also sign this online petition to CBS to bring back Smith. http://www.petitiononline.com/cbssmith/petition.html
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10-18-2006 @ 12:43PM
Ray said...
As usual CBS finally get's a show worth watching and then throws it away! I thought Smith was one of the best shows I've seen on CBS. It's sad that they don't even give a new show a chance to gain in the ratings. I believe that giving the show a little more time would have paid off. Ray Liotta is one of the best actors out there today and I think it was a major mistake to drop the show but, hey, CBS is getting real good at dropping the ball!
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