True Lies

Seems this series is relying completely on name recognition.... without even understanding why the original film was popular.

1) The film worked because Harry was a spy who had to lie to his family constantly..... and Helen was a rather clumsy housewife who felt bored and wanted more out of life. The series "jumps the shark" and blows up and dismisses this imperative plot aspect 10 minutes into the first episode.

2) Ginger Gonzaga... while I think she's a very competent actor.. does bring with her the "kiss of death" for network series. She's appeared in MANY series.. and NEVER had one be successful past 1, maybe 2, seasons. When she appears as a "guest star" in an existing series.. that series has generally been canceled that same season. Again, Ms. Gonzaga is a competent actor.. I don't know why she brings the curse with her, but she does.

3) The "little old lady" next door is so clichéd I think I hurt myself rolling my eyes too much.

4) D'Angelo is ruining what reputation she has here.... simply becoming unwatchable. I suspect cast for the name.. not her (now) gravel voice and wooden acting.

5) The stories in the first 2 episodes are just hack work.. unrealistic technology that SUDDENLY makes the impossible possible.

6) Characters, including Harry and Helen, are completely shallow and without ANY depth.

7) Helen discovers the spy thing in episode 1... in episode 2 she's sent on her first "mission". That's some stunningly rapid, and moronic, job advancement.

...fun drinking game.. drink every time "Jimena" is said in episode 2.. just plan on passing out before the show ends.

Has this series been written by ChatGPT???? It's got as much warmth and originality as ChatGPT output.

"Write me an action spy thriller with Harry as the primary spy working with Helen, his wife, who has just become a novice spy."

It is a tall order to fill in the shoes of Arnold and Jamie Lynn and they tried, but they just didnt pull it off. I felt no chemistry between these two and that was the magic of True Lies the movie.

I found myself fast forwarding to a good part but just did not find any wow factor.

I really hope it gets better. It looks like it might prove entertaining but as i was watching it late, i switches to the new.

Why they brought in a boy to the family escapes me. Also, are they just going to mimic the movie or come up with something new and interesting to grab our attention. Oh, and suddenly a school teacher who does yoga is a deadly shot and knows how to fight? Not.

Ridiculous motor chases, fireball explosions, a million bullets fired but no one ever gets hit...you got it. We have 'the formula'. Remember The A-Team? They invented the formula, it works for stupid people and ten year old boys. And let's face it, The A-Team sucked as well.

Now picture this secretive organisation, Omega something. Like the CIA but not. They have high tech gadgets coming out of the wazoo. They jet set, save the world on a daily basis, they are the good guys.

Main guy, Harry, (Steve Howey) is a boring salesman by day, a dashing spy by night. Wife, Helen, (Ginger Gonzaga) a typical middle class suburban mum with a teaching gig, just so happens she teaches languages. This comes in handy later on.

I realised that I should treat this as a comedy in the manner of a spoof. It made it bearable, almost enjoyable. Ginger's emotional range when she accuses Harry of having an affair made me think she was just a little mad at some minor misdemeanour. I cracked up.

No spoilers. If you try this, just think 'Spoof' like Austin Powers; The Spy Who Shagged Me and you'll be fine.

If everything is a joke, then the action never becomes exciting, and you just have to sit through the explosions.

When you run away from bad guys, shooting at you, if you argue with your wife at the same time, it illustrates that the bullets are not real and the danger is not real.

That means, the audience disengages on the action. Which is okay, if the humor is good. I mean - it can be done. Castle and Burn Notice was fun. Mixing action and humor.

But alas - the humor is not really funny. We laughed in the movie because Arnold was a real action star with big muscles. This guy and this girl are just some people in some situation whom we have no relation to.

To get better comedy, be more serious.

Not going to be able to continue past episode 1. Some of these newer shows are just not a formula I am interested in. The casting of this is tiring, as the characters do not have chemistry or synergetic intrigue. This does not carry any of the fun or charm of the movie, and it lacks a foundation that will provide entertainment in general, from what I can tell. After 42 minutes, it is clear this is a roughed-in action comedy loaded with hi-tech bafoonery marketed to someone looking for light-weight mindless action and modern social queues. Seems like its secondary goal is to induce humor with the action.. perhaps this will please some other viewers, but I'll pass.