Legends

"Legends" is about acting. Not the work the actors do in playing their roles in this original show by TNT. The acting that the main character (Martin Odom portrayed by Sean Bean) does in the commission of his job. He works undercover for the FBI's Division of Covert Operations (DCO), a division that specializes in domestic or foreign terrorism. Martin's particular talent is his ability to convincingly assume a false identity (a legend) in undercover work. Viewers who enjoy watching his talent are the main audience for this show.

Martin's personality is suited to this work. When he becomes someone else, he immerses himself totally, to the point that the line between reality and fantasy is blurred. In the first episode, we see him become Lincoln Dittman, a stuttering malcontent who joins a domestic terrorist group because he is disillusioned with the American Dream.

The hazards he faces are physical and psychic. His personal life suffers because of the time demands of the job and because he struggles with reintegrating himself into his real life, where he has a young son, Aiden, and an ex-wife, Sonya (Amber Valletta).

The woman who overseers his operations is Crystal Quest (Ali Larter). She doesn't trust Martin's psychological stability, but her boss Nelson Gates (Steve Harris) values Martin's abilities. Crystal gets drawn into the operations sometimes. She is cool under pressure. Maggie Harris (Tina Majorino) is the computer expert in the office who solves all of the digital problems.

As Martin juggles the dark world of shadow operations and his personal life responsibilities, he follows a longer story arc: who is he? A mysterious man contacted him and alleged that "Martin Odom" is just another legend--just before he was stabbed to death on a subway platform, dying in Martin's arms. Who was the woman that wielded the blade? What can Martin learn from the book that the man gave him with his dying breaths?

It is too early to tell if "Legends" can remain interesting as Martin infiltrates one organization after another. But Sean Bean has a remarkable ability to play the damaged protagonist.

Update 9/4/14: After watching 4 episodes, I am upgrading my rating to 8. This drama is engaging. The acting is good.

Fan favorite Sean Bean is back on the small screen in the latest TNT series, Legends. The series, based on the novel by Robert Littell, follows a deep cover agent embedded in dangerous situations, working in the interest of national security.

Through the course of the episode, the audience follows Bean's character through his undercover work and discovers the struggles he faces in his home life. All of this pales in comparison to the greater story when Bean's character is confronted and told he is not who he thinks he is; the life he believes is his is just a legend - a fictional character history created for the purpose of undercover operations.

The concept is intriguing and the pilot episode is well balanced. Although, more action sequences would have been welcome. The supporting cast, which includes Ali Larter, Steve Harris and Tina Majorino, among others, is impressive. Bean's acting prowess is the real reason to tune it. One scene in particular has Bean shifting into a different character in front of the other characters and the transformation is a highlight of the episode.

If the rest of the series follows the formula of the pilot episode, audiences can expect a new threat every week, as well as an opportunity for Bean's acting skills to shine as he transforms into a new character every week.

I'm not going to over analyse this. It's a decent show, second season is a very different format to the first but just as enjoyable perhaps more so as it's a bit less 'American'. It follows through on the backstory of Martin Odum.

Worth watching, it's not Breaking Bad but much better than some of the rubbish being produced these days.

Now I'm just having to add more words for the review to be accepted. What more do I need to say - isn't this a ridiculous policy. I'm not a wannabe TV critic I just wanted to let people know that this show is worth watching. Ten lines of text - seriously? Almost there now not much more to type...

Last year people were hyped about Blacklist. It was an FBI series with secrets, plot-twists etc etc. And it was a pretty good series too.

Then, in 2014 we get Legends. Oh boy does it make Blacklist look petty in comparison. Legends follows Sean Bean as an FBI agent who works in the Undercover Department, incarnating "Legends" (the fake identities agents make up for their missions). However, Martin (Sean Bean) starts to question his identity, as someone claims that he isn't who he thinks, and that Martin Odoum is just another Legend.

The story is intriguing on its own, and Sean Bean's acting is simply over the top. The way he is able to incarnate each and every Legend is absolutely amazing. Besides Sean Bean, the plot is really interesting and it gets better with each and every episode. Every week I'm hook in front of my TV set, dwelling further and further into the mystery.

A 2014 must watch, don't miss out on this one!

This show will probably be cancelled (hopefully not), because many good shows these days do not get renewed (I'm still not over Jericho).

As a huge fan of Sean Bean, his acting does not disappoint. IMO, from his performance in the pilot episode as Lincoln Dittmann, I feel like he deserves a Primetime Emmy nomination for Lead Actor for this show (especially after being snubbed for Game Of Thrones). 4 Episodes in and I cannot wait to see what Bean can pull off.

Aside from the lead, I am probably in the minority but the supporting cast is excellent. I love Ali Larter and I think she and Bean have tremendous chemistry. Steve Harris is really great, same with Morris Chestnut. I cannot wait to see these characters flesh out some more as the episodes air.

Here is hoping for a second season!