Amnisias' TV seal of approval
Sunday, 9 October 2011 02:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amnisiasSo, the new TV season is upon us! It's got something for everybody: lulz (Ringer), soppy (A Gifted Man), downright mindfucking creepy (American Horror Story). And then there isHomeland. The blurb didn't really grab me, something about an American POW returning to the states and being suspected of having been turned by his captors. But it's based on an Israeli show and to me that's a big recommendation. Also, HBO made a brilliant adaption of In Treatment, a very slow and intorspective little gem of a show, and also a US remake of an Israeli show. But the real reason I checked Homeland out is this:
Damian Lewis has a great track record and has amazed me in a number of roles. He's got a very understated way of acting that works really well for quiet characters, and he also has good judgement when picking projects. And then I found out these guys were in it, too:
This show can't be that bad, even if it tries, with these guys working their thespian magic, can it? Clare Danes is intense, and just the right mixt of unbalanced, driven and vulnerable. And Mandy Patinkin juxtaposes this with the quiet, calm and cautious mentor, who is torn between supporting her or washing his hands of her.
And Morena Baccarin is the cherry on top! Firefly squee! And she's been employed to act as well as look pretty. And she totally nails it!
But the reason I'll keep watching this show is not just because of the actors. This show is much more than the sum of all it's parts. It's got a new, intriguing story that is given it's time to unfold. It has compelling characters that have strength and weaknesses. It has a script full off great dialog that still leaves lots of space for quiet moment and allows things to develop naturally. Shows like Homeland are such a rare thing on TV. Quiet and understated, great, complex characters from the start, driven more by the things that are not being said rather than endless dialog or exposition. Great use of visual, both composition and colours. Long scenes that allow for emotions to unfold rather than frantic cutting from action to action.
The surreal and awkward reunion, where so much was being conveyed without words. People who love each other but do not know each other anymore.
The CIA agent setting up surveillance and watching the most private moments of another family , saying so much more about her own life than his. (This reminded me a lot of 'The Life Of Others')
This scene was so well written, paced and executed. Him comforting her was unexpected and heartbreaking.
A lot of things in the pilot reminded me a lot of Rubicon, the use of grey and brown, the bleakness of many of the shots, they way scenes were framed, the slow pace and reliance on acting rather than words alone.
CIA offices looking claustrophobic and intimidating.
The obligatory conspiracy map...where did I see this before? Rubicon? Life?
Big sister is watching you! And the view is rather bleak....
The lonesome runner....
The similarities with Rubicon would scare me a little (because we all know how that one ended......way too early!) but I think the producers learnt from Rubicon's demise. Compared to Rubicon Homeland is easier accessible, it has more protagonist for viewers to identify with and root for, the quiet scenes are interspersed with more dialogue driven ones, and despite being slow paces and reflective there's still tons more action in one episode than in Rubicon.
In case you can't tell by now, let me be clear: I love it!
Damian Lewis has a great track record and has amazed me in a number of roles. He's got a very understated way of acting that works really well for quiet characters, and he also has good judgement when picking projects. And then I found out these guys were in it, too:
This show can't be that bad, even if it tries, with these guys working their thespian magic, can it? Clare Danes is intense, and just the right mixt of unbalanced, driven and vulnerable. And Mandy Patinkin juxtaposes this with the quiet, calm and cautious mentor, who is torn between supporting her or washing his hands of her.
And Morena Baccarin is the cherry on top! Firefly squee! And she's been employed to act as well as look pretty. And she totally nails it!
But the reason I'll keep watching this show is not just because of the actors. This show is much more than the sum of all it's parts. It's got a new, intriguing story that is given it's time to unfold. It has compelling characters that have strength and weaknesses. It has a script full off great dialog that still leaves lots of space for quiet moment and allows things to develop naturally. Shows like Homeland are such a rare thing on TV. Quiet and understated, great, complex characters from the start, driven more by the things that are not being said rather than endless dialog or exposition. Great use of visual, both composition and colours. Long scenes that allow for emotions to unfold rather than frantic cutting from action to action.
The surreal and awkward reunion, where so much was being conveyed without words. People who love each other but do not know each other anymore.
The CIA agent setting up surveillance and watching the most private moments of another family , saying so much more about her own life than his. (This reminded me a lot of 'The Life Of Others')
This scene was so well written, paced and executed. Him comforting her was unexpected and heartbreaking.
A lot of things in the pilot reminded me a lot of Rubicon, the use of grey and brown, the bleakness of many of the shots, they way scenes were framed, the slow pace and reliance on acting rather than words alone.
CIA offices looking claustrophobic and intimidating.
The obligatory conspiracy map...where did I see this before? Rubicon? Life?
Big sister is watching you! And the view is rather bleak....
The lonesome runner....
The similarities with Rubicon would scare me a little (because we all know how that one ended......way too early!) but I think the producers learnt from Rubicon's demise. Compared to Rubicon Homeland is easier accessible, it has more protagonist for viewers to identify with and root for, the quiet scenes are interspersed with more dialogue driven ones, and despite being slow paces and reflective there's still tons more action in one episode than in Rubicon.
In case you can't tell by now, let me be clear: I love it!