(S02E01) Man, it's been a long time since last season. I remembered very little of what they showed in the recap and after being reminded, I was hungry for the new season.
It occurs to me as I'm watching this episode that Michael Westen is a less philanthropic MacGyver. He knows a lot of tricks that will help you in sticky situations but he's smart enough to keep most of them to himself. I, personally, have never had to run from the police but if I ever do, I now know the best way to stop the airbags from going off.
Seeing Bruce Campbell in that tiny shirt made me laugh so much that I am convinced there should be more of him on TV. In a world where every young comedian is given his own sitcom, a show starring Bruce Campbell as a single dad would be a welcome change.
At the risk of overstating it, watching Gabrielle Anwar shoot at Jeffrey Donovan from the moving car may have been the coolest scene I've seen on TV in the past ten years. Not only was it a great twist on something that's been done a million times but there is something about seeing a beautiful woman hanging out of a car window and firing a gun that really, shall we say, gets my attention.
After watching Sharon Gless play a total psycho on Nip/Tuck it's nice to see her in a role that's a little more fun. Gless is a perfect example of how the supporting cast is so important to this show. Jeffrey Donovan is certainly the star but without his three cast members, the show would be nothing.
Personally, I hope the relationship between Michael and Carla lasts throughout the season. It's nice to see him trying to serve a new master while still trying to serve himself. It kind of reminds me of the later seasons of The A Team when Hannibal and the boys were exonerated and had to take orders from Robert Vaughn.
I don't know what it is about listening to Michael describe the best way to do something illicit or illegal but I find it fascinating. I think it has something to do with the fact that he takes the mundane facts behind things like architecture and automotive design and uses them to show me how to be a badass.
Just when I think the show can't get any cooler, Michael pulls out what can only be described as a BFG (Big F-ing Gun). I know next to nothing about weapons but I'd like to believe that if a gun like that does exist, it's extremely hard to get your hands on.
I loved the last scene between Fi and Michael. All last season, I had a hard time believing that Fiona's feelings for Michael weren't mutual and now it's not only clear how he feels about her but also why their relationship is so twisted.
Giveaway Monday: That '70s Show The Complete Series Stash box set
Giveaway Monday: Back to You season one DVD
Six shows that I am watching pretty regularly this season
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-10-2008 @ 11:35PM
gonnabechef said...
Hopefully we'll find out who burned him if the show gets cancelled.
I love how Miami is a character in this show as well. Would it work if it were set in Philly? The lack of bikinis would be disturbing.
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7-11-2008 @ 2:52PM
Melissa said...
way to be positive... they've ordered 16 episodes for season 2.
7-11-2008 @ 12:14AM
Pamela said...
Love and enjoy the show. Love the characters and the cast. Love Fi and Michael and hope their relationship is not kaput.
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7-11-2008 @ 1:37PM
Jennifer said...
I don't think they are kaput, per se. But Fiona just had it really dug into her that Michael's priority is always gonna be "the job," not her. Which he knew.
That said, I bet they have her flirting around with other guys, and hint at him with Carla, this season and then come back to being together on some level again.
7-11-2008 @ 12:24AM
Nuski said...
I dont like michael serving a master, doing what other people tell him to do or else, introducing that aspect to the show just ruined it for me. Season 1 michael was burned spy who does jobs for him self, yes the greater arc of who burned him was there and it played well close to the end of the season. But introducing six to run his life just made the show, another run of the mill generic detective/action show. Before he does jobs to genuinely help people, now he helps people but at what cost I dont think they needed to introduce six i like her and all but we can just look forward to more do this or we kill people you love and do that or we dont tell u who burned you.
this episode moved the show from must watch live to meh download and see when bored.
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7-11-2008 @ 1:50AM
nickmagoo said...
the guy who played jimmy (the client) was a guest on the middleman last week, the freaky plastic surgery gone wrong alien plastic surgeon...
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7-11-2008 @ 2:35AM
Midnight13 said...
So I'll say that I'm a new viewer to this series. I'll admit that I got intrested in this because Tricia Helfer is going to be in it this season. Do older viewers find her role unecessary and/or distracting? I don't know, but doesn't the fact that her involvment will bring in more viewers a good thing? Come for the Tricia, stay for the story. At least she's going on great shows. Its not like she's joining the cast of "According to Jim". Frankly I now wish I had seen the first season.
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7-11-2008 @ 2:37AM
CaseyJ said...
I quite enjoyed this episode... it surpassed my expections. Can't wait for the next one. A+++
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7-11-2008 @ 4:44AM
Shmirdawg said...
Is it me or have the boobs in the background gotten bigger? or the bikinis smaller? I dunno.
Anyway, great start to the season!
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7-11-2008 @ 7:40AM
Mary said...
Midnight13, The full first season is on Hulu. It is great!
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7-11-2008 @ 10:12AM
jaerisk said...
this show is kick @$$...period
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7-11-2008 @ 10:55AM
Christopher said...
Agreed.
7-11-2008 @ 12:49PM
Argus said...
I didn't know how they would make it better, but then they brought in a bigger gun and a tinier shirt and it was like magic!!
I just hope that the episodes don't become too linear.
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7-11-2008 @ 2:49PM
Melissa said...
Did anyone catch the closing comment, " you don't miss the scent of an asset when it leaves the room," as a nod the memorable tango scene from SCENT OF A WOMAN...which starred Gabrielle Anwar?
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7-11-2008 @ 10:19PM
DMD said...
Nice catch Melissa.. I loved Gabrielle in that movie.
7-11-2008 @ 8:59PM
Brainfish said...
I know how they can make this show better. Do not under any circumstances allow Jeffrey Donovan to attempt an English accent ever again. Ever. Ever.
LMFAO Worst English accent ever. Did I say ever? I mean worse than Dick Van Dyke FFS! LOLOLOLOLOL
I can't believe no one has commented on this. Is that really how English sounds to the US? (I'm Scottish btw)
Apart from that, so happy it's back and still as good :D
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7-11-2008 @ 9:42PM
KevinInChains said...
i think he was going for an Aussie accent in this episode.
7-13-2008 @ 8:46PM
nattyff said...
I'm chilean, and i had never live in another country, but if i'm not mistaken, that was a BRILLIANT south african accent...
7-11-2008 @ 11:37PM
Anita said...
It was an aussie accent and it was surprisingly good. I just wish they'd allow Gabrielle to use her own as opposed to the American one. I wasn't crazy about this ep. I loved the autonomy Michael had last season, but this season he has less focus and still isn't any closer to figuring out why this group burned him.
Regarding Michael and Fiona, I always thought Michael avoided getting close to her because of her violent tendencies and occasional under the board activities. So, I'm a bit confused by the 'she remains distant from him because he views her as an asset' spin for this season.
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7-12-2008 @ 4:54AM
Brainfish said...
If that was meant to be an Aus accent, then that's worse!
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