Royally Flushed

I had low expectations for this series after loving the True Lies movie, and getting to like the TV series enough to be sorry when they pulled the plug.

This variation on the theme has been enjoyable enough to keep me going. A reasonable mix of action and comedy, with Fortune carrying the ball for the lion's share of the latter. The appearance of Tom Arnold was another boost. That completes his trifecta, playing different versions of himself in each. Actually, his gleeful sadism may have been his best role among the three.

But the family and relationship squabbles that were becoming less entertaining and more plot-inhibiting really gushed over the top in this one. The time spent in the bomb shelter sucked more oxygen out of the air for viewers than the dwindling supply for the characters.

If there's to be a second season, more espionage and less of the strident soap opera histrionics, please.